Dataset Preview
The full dataset viewer is not available (click to read why). Only showing a preview of the rows.
The dataset generation failed
Error code: DatasetGenerationError
Exception: ArrowNotImplementedError
Message: Cannot write struct type 'attributes' with no child field to Parquet. Consider adding a dummy child field.
Traceback: Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1831, in _prepare_split_single
writer.write_table(table)
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/datasets/arrow_writer.py", line 712, in write_table
self._build_writer(inferred_schema=pa_table.schema)
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/datasets/arrow_writer.py", line 757, in _build_writer
self.pa_writer = pq.ParquetWriter(
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/pyarrow/parquet/core.py", line 1070, in __init__
self.writer = _parquet.ParquetWriter(
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "pyarrow/_parquet.pyx", line 2363, in pyarrow._parquet.ParquetWriter.__cinit__
File "pyarrow/error.pxi", line 155, in pyarrow.lib.pyarrow_internal_check_status
File "pyarrow/error.pxi", line 92, in pyarrow.lib.check_status
pyarrow.lib.ArrowNotImplementedError: Cannot write struct type 'attributes' with no child field to Parquet. Consider adding a dummy child field.
During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1847, in _prepare_split_single
num_examples, num_bytes = writer.finalize()
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/datasets/arrow_writer.py", line 731, in finalize
self._build_writer(self.schema)
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/datasets/arrow_writer.py", line 757, in _build_writer
self.pa_writer = pq.ParquetWriter(
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/pyarrow/parquet/core.py", line 1070, in __init__
self.writer = _parquet.ParquetWriter(
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "pyarrow/_parquet.pyx", line 2363, in pyarrow._parquet.ParquetWriter.__cinit__
File "pyarrow/error.pxi", line 155, in pyarrow.lib.pyarrow_internal_check_status
File "pyarrow/error.pxi", line 92, in pyarrow.lib.check_status
pyarrow.lib.ArrowNotImplementedError: Cannot write struct type 'attributes' with no child field to Parquet. Consider adding a dummy child field.
The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/src/services/worker/src/worker/job_runners/config/parquet_and_info.py", line 1334, in compute_config_parquet_and_info_response
parquet_operations, partial, estimated_dataset_info = stream_convert_to_parquet(
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/src/services/worker/src/worker/job_runners/config/parquet_and_info.py", line 911, in stream_convert_to_parquet
builder._prepare_split(
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1702, in _prepare_split
for job_id, done, content in self._prepare_split_single(
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/usr/local/lib/python3.12/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1858, in _prepare_split_single
raise DatasetGenerationError("An error occurred while generating the dataset") from e
datasets.exceptions.DatasetGenerationError: An error occurred while generating the datasetNeed help to make the dataset viewer work? Make sure to review how to configure the dataset viewer, and open a discussion for direct support.
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The Importance of Light in Luxury Interior Design
In luxury interior design, the proper lighting can transform the entire look of a space. It can make a small room feel larger, change the overall atmosphere, or complement a specific design style. At Interiors by Steven G. (IBSG), our experience with lighting as a design element allows us to balance functionality with breathtaking results. Here are five ways we use lighting in our luxury interior design:
Open Up a Space
We often use artificial and natural light to make a room appear more spacious. When paired with lighter paint colors, the light reflects off nearby surfaces and illuminates the walls, creating a broadening effect. It brightens dark corners and minimizes shadows that can otherwise create a more closed-in feel. Strategic lighting that draws the eye up toward the ceiling can also make a room feel taller. This strategy is beneficial for creating the illusion of vaulted ceilings in places where limited space doesn’t allow for them, such as luxury apartments or condos.
There are multiple ways to maximize lighting and help make a space feel larger. Installing a wall of large windows allows increased daylight to flood the room. Sunlight can also be controlled by hanging sheer curtains instead of blinds and using mirrors as wall decorations to bounce light around the room. As seen in our portfolio, these methods work well for brightening up sitting areas and dining rooms in luxury homes or offices.
Change the Mood
Different degrees of lighting affect the ambiance of a given space. A brighter, more illuminated room often feels light and airy, providing a fresh and productive mood. This works well for kitchens and reading areas, where intricate tasks and attention to detail are frequently required. Rooms with soft, warm lighting give off a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, fitting for luxury hotel reception areas. Darker mood lighting also has its place and can provide intimacy and privacy in a high-end restaurant or club setting. IBSG specializes in each of these luxury interior design settings.
Increase the Functionality
One of the primary purposes of lighting is to illuminate a space and increase visibility, so our team will utilize different lighting forms depending on an area’s intended use. A bathroom or bedroom will require additional lighting compared to a storage closet or pantry. A bathroom vanity must provide adequate light for skincare and makeup routines. Light fixtures with a higher wattage and adjustable lamp arms are often appropriate for reading nooks or bedside tables. For luxury pools or poolside areas, lighting with adjustable brightness and color options can provide a stylish yet functional feel.
Highlight Specific Features
At IBSG, we use direct lighting to emphasize or attract viewers to unique design features within a luxury residence or commercial building. Carefully placed lighting can draw attention to specific sitting areas or check-in desks in a lobby. Spotlights can also be used to highlight displayed art, such as priceless paintings or intricate statues.
Light fixtures themselves can be used as focal points as well. In luxury design, a sizeable tiered chandelier or row of distinctive pendant lights can add class and elegance to an entrance hall, ballroom, or formal dining room. Grand hotels and other luxury buildings can use impressive light fixtures to symbolize opulence and project grandeur to their visitors.
Contribute to the Design Style
The amount and type of lighting used in luxury interior design will vary based on the design style. When decorating according to a contemporary style, we recommend using modern light fixtures and maximizing daylight for a more natural, comfortable atmosphere. For a traditional interior design style, we often avoid overly bright lighting so as not to detract from the darker accent colors and heavy furniture. A mixture of dark accents and neutral furniture creates a transitional interior design style, highlighted by moderate lighting and functional light fixtures.
When following a specific design style, lighting can be added or removed to intensify or soften the space. Increased lighting can brighten dark furniture in a traditional design style. Warm lighting can make an airy contemporary style more inviting. Your individual design preferences can also influence the amount of lighting used, regardless of the predetermined design style. Our team at Interiors by Steven G. can help adjust and refine your luxury space to reflect your unique taste.
Interiors by Steven G. for Your Luxury Interior Design Needs
Lighting is a fundamental design element that contributes to the style and functionality of your space. Luxury interior design can be as bold or subtle as desired, and the right lighting can complement your dream aesthetic. Whether you’re building a luxury home or planning a complete re-design project, choose our full-service team at Interiors by Steven G. to bring your design vision to life. We can help illuminate your space with the right lighting designs and fixtures.
How Long Does Interior Design Take?
Interiors by Steven G. has some of the most experienced interior designers South Florida. After designing for nearly 40 years, we know how to guide our clients through every step of the design process toward results they’ll love. The timeline for each project depends on how long each stage of the design process takes.
Here are the stages of an interior design project and the timeframes associated with each step:
Consultation and Concept Development
The first stage of our interior design process is consultation and concept development. We stand apart from other interior designers South Florida at every step of the design process. Interiors by Steven G. has a team of licensed interior designers, LEED Accredited professionals, technical designers, and design renderers to help transform your space.
In this initial consultation, we learn your design preferences, goals, and budget. Our designer will get to know you and your space. They will ask you about your lifestyle, habits, and any specific needs or requirements you have for the area.
If English isn’t your native tongue and you aren’t sure how to convey something, you can request a team member that speaks your native language. We have team members fluent in several different languages.
Once our designer clearly understands your vision and goals, they will begin to develop a concept for your space. This often includes creating a mood board, selecting colors and materials, and developing a general design direction.
The time required for this first stage varies from a few days to a couple of weeks. The complexity of the project and the designer’s workload will directly affect the timeframe. A good project starts with a clear concept. Sometimes, the designer and client spend several days nailing down specific points.
Space Planning and Layout
Once the designer has established the initial concept, they will move on to space planning and layout. This is the stage where the designer creates a floor plan that maximizes the functionality and flow of your space. Designers can work with our in-house design renderers to create digital drafts of how the space could look. These renderings help visualize the placement of furniture, fixtures, appliances, traffic flow, and lighting.
Space planning and layout can be a time-consuming part of an interior design project, particularly for larger spaces. Depending on the size and complexity of your space, this stage can take several weeks or even months. The layout impacts the overall functionality and feel of your space.
Material and Product Selection
Our professionals at Interiors by Steven G. are some of the most experienced interior designers in South Florida. We begin material and product selection when the space plan and layout are finalized. This includes selecting paint colors, flooring, lighting fixtures, furniture, and decor. The designer considers your style preferences, budget, and any existing items you want to incorporate into the design.
Material and product selection can take considerable time, particularly if your project is sourcing unique and custom items. Depending on the size and complexity of your space, this stage can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Furniture and Decor Selection
Once the materials and products have been selected, the designer will move on to furniture and decor selection. This is the stage where the designer will choose the furniture, artwork, and accessories that will bring your space to life. The designer will consider your style preferences, budget, and the overall concept of the design.
Furniture and decor selection can be a fun and exciting stage of the interior design process. It can also be time-consuming, particularly if you are working with a designer sourcing unique and custom items. Depending on the size and complexity of your space, this stage can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Our designers carefully select every piece but can help with any needed replacements. We stand by our clients if the vendor does not stand by their work. We do everything we can to make the entire design process effortless for you.
Installation and Finishing Touches
Once all the materials, products, furniture, and decor have been selected, it’s time for the installation and finishing touches. We take the hassle out of this process by handling procurement, installation, and labor. We can help handle necessary construction or renovations.
Our warehouse team handles the delivery of installations. Your designer will work with our other team members to oversee the installation of any new fixtures, furniture, and decor.
Choose the Best Interior Designers South Florida Has To Offer
Located at Pompano Beach, Interiors by Steven G. is an award-winning luxury interior design firm. We have walked our clients through the design process for nearly 40 years. Our team has over 85 professionals experienced in a wide range of projects. We design interiors for private residential homes, restaurants, hotels, commercial offices, and condominiums.
Our design firm is committed to excellence. There is attention to detail at every step of the process. Our attention to detail and thorough understanding of design principles makes us the best in the business. Schedule a consultation with us today.
What Does an Interior Designer Do?
Interior designers aim to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. At Interiors by Steven G (IBSG), an interior design firm, we elevate spaces by introducing luxury designs. If you find us by searching “interior designers South Florida,” here are a few things we can offer to bring spaces to life:
Space Planning
Space planning occurs before the actual design process. It creates a roadmap for designers to follow when choosing and installing elements for your space. Interior designers consider fundamentals like a space’s category, its primary and secondary purpose, movement patterns, and the client’s vision during space planning. Spaces can fall under the following categories:
• Social: Spaces meant for socializing such as living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms.
• Work: Spaces meant to facilitate working like home offices.
• Private: Spaces intended for privacy, like bedrooms.
• Storage: Spaces set aside to store items, like closets.
The category a space falls into determines its purposes, movement patterns, and the interior designer’s layout choices. An interior designer reconciles the fundamentals of space planning like traffic flow with a client’s vision to create their dream space.
At Interiors by Steven G, space planning is a key aspect of our design process. Our professional designers begin every project by conducting a thorough space analysis. This involves assessing factors such as lighting, furniture placement, traffic flow, and the client’s preferences.
Developing Designs
An interior designer develops design ideas after understanding a client’s needs, preferences, and lifestyle. This involves determining the best layout for a space to maximize functionality and aesthetic appeal. A designer may create physical mock-ups of a space or use software to create a 3D model.
At Interiors by Steven G, we use design rendering to create visuals that give you an idea of how your space will look after designing. Creating these visuals allows us to make necessary changes in the early stages to save money and time. It also increases our efficiency and minimizes the risk of errors.
Selecting Themes
An interior designer helps you choose a theme for your home based on your personality and preferences. A theme helps bind individual design elements together to create harmony in a space. At Interiors by Steven G, we’re experts in traditional, contemporary, and transitional styles. We’ll work with you to determine the style that reflects your personality and taste.
Choosing Colors
An interior designer helps you in selecting colors based on a room’s purpose, existing colors, and desired mood or atmosphere. Colors like yellow and green are suitable for workspaces as they promote wellness and evoke optimism. Red is ideal for private spaces like bedrooms as it evokes passion. Professional assistance with color selection can be helpful as some options may be better suited for your space than others.
At Interiors by Steven G, we understand the role color plays in a space’s overall aesthetics. We’ll incorporate color psychology to create a cohesive color scheme that complements your home design. Our designers will also consider every room’s energy and activity to choose a color palette that evokes the right emotions.
Selecting Furniture
An interior designer offers expert guidance and support in choosing furniture that complements a space’s design and function. They consider factors like your desired aesthetic, budget, color scheme, room size, and layout. Doing this spares you the frustration and cost of purchasing the wrong furniture that detracts from your home’s design.
At Interiors by Steven G, we own a showroom filled with furniture choices for different tastes. Our designers will show you suitable options so you can visualize how your space will look with our furnishings.
Project Management
An interior designer is an invaluable partner if you have a busy schedule. They manage the entire design process and make sure your project is delivered on time and to your specifications. This allows you to focus on regular tasks without compromising your interior design project.
At Interiors by Steven G, we’ll handle everything from the concept stage to the completion of your project. Our designers are skilled at creating project timelines, overseeing the ordering and delivery of materials, and managing resources.
Budget Management
An interior designer is responsible for making sure a design project is completed within a client’s budget constraints. This involves choosing cost-effective materials and finishes while still meeting a client’s design needs.
At Interiors by Steven G, we’re adept at managing budgets. Our designers will help you make informed decisions about where to allocate your funds and how to prioritize certain design elements. We’ll also negotiate with vendors and contractors for fair prices and avoid unexpected expenses so you stay on budget.
Search “Interior Designers South Florida” Today
Interiors by Steven G is your ideal partner if you want to transform your space. Our professional designers have years of experience in handling residential and commercial interior design projects. We’ll incorporate luxurious elements into your space to deliver a beautiful and functional interior. Contact us for reliable and efficient interior design help today.
8 Design Trends You’ll Find in Florida
Familiarizing yourself with popular design trends in your area can make choosing your interior design style easier. Familiarity with trends helps expose you to new interior design ideas you may not have considered otherwise. Interiors by Steven G. has a team of interior designers South Florida residents turn to when seeking trendy home interiors. Here are eight interior design trends you’ll find in Florida right now:
Open Vista Design
The open vista trend emphasizes natural light and pleasant views, making it well-suited for Florida beachfront property. This trend takes advantage of the surrounding landscape’s beauty by incorporating more and larger windows than other design styles. Homeowners who use this style consider how the house is oriented to maximize natural light while avoiding direct sunlight. This design approach reduces the need for lamps or other light fixtures, saving space for other decor items.
Traditional Design
The traditional style of interior design is one of weight and presence. Strong, often dark colors and larger, heavier furniture are hallmarks of traditionally designed interiors. Furnishings in traditional design direct attention to a central area, usually one used for socializing. The heavy nature of the traditional style goes beyond furniture choices. Expect to see weighty table decor, heavy curtains, and anchored light fixtures. Interiors by Steven G. (IBSG) has interior designers South Florida residents can count on to be experienced at creating traditional designs and variations blended with other styles.
Contemporary Design
Contemporary design is a mix of styles, with the solid presence of traditional design and the “form follows function” approach of modern design. Contemporary design is often built around lighter colors like white or tan with dark accents to highlight certain areas. Earth tones and sometimes natural wood or stone surfaces complement contemporary designs nicely. The final result typically conveys a cool sensibility, with some warmth integrated by the earthy elements.
Transitional Design
Somewhere between the traditional and contemporary styles is the trending transitional approach. Embracing neutral colors, and favoring the comfort of contemporary design, transitional styles still use the solid, space-occupying elements common in traditional design. Transitional designs are not overly colorful, relying on earth-toned furnishings and focusing on unusual or asymmetric decor shapes.
Sustainable Design
Though the trend in sustainability did not develop from an existing design style, sustainable design has grown into a design philosophy of its own. Elements like lighting and textiles tend to carry the weight of sustainability-focused design. LED bulbs and dimmers combine with environmentally friendly curtains to better manage lighting needs. Cushions and bedding made of renewable and often organic materials further ground the sense of environmental sensitivity. Sustainable interior design is usually an extension of sustainable exterior design, such as xeriscaping that eliminates the need for irrigation.
Smart Home Design
Another design trend not restricted to a specific style is the increasing use of smart home technology. The development of smart home tech has influenced design trends in subtle ways. Neutral decor colors have increased in popularity as smart home lighting often features built-in color-changing capabilities. Homeowners can play with the overall mood of their interiors with the lighting, while the decor blends into whatever color they choose. Smart climate control has also opened up more options for interior composition, as less consideration is needed for when and how owners manage the temperature. Controlling these settings from phones instead of thermostats allows the devices to be placed more discreetly. Cooler flooring options, like tile, are also more accessible with smart in-floor heating.
Multifunctional Design
Rising emphasis on getting the most out of your space has boosted the trend of multifunctional design. Rooms are intended for various activities, furniture is chosen with multiple uses, and storage and organization are incorporated into style. Multifunctional pairs well with sustainable and smart home approaches to get the most out of each space in the home. Natural and organic materials and shapes are commonplace in multifunctional design, making the different functions of furnishings more subtle.
Room-by-Room Design
Besides overarching design trends, some Florida homeowners may benefit from diving into room-specific trends, such as:
Dining Rooms
Dining rooms, once commonly mono-purposed, are trending toward being more flexible spaces. Background decor like plants or paintings are becoming more popular, making them feel more like comfortable work-from-home spaces. More intimate round or oval tables are on the rise, encouraging families to gather around them for more than just meal times.
Living Rooms
Pushing the term “living” to its limits, the trends in living rooms have dramatically evolved this space from its classic roots. Furniture is incorporating more degrees of modularity to create adaptable spaces for many needs. Popular furniture pieces can be quickly expanded to create a comfortable space for more people to relax. This same furniture is also being designed to be compact and storable, so that space can be freed up.
Choose the Interior Designers South Florida Trusts
The wealth of available trends and variety within them means that you can create a unique home style no matter your favorite design style. Our experienced designers at Interiors by Steven G. can help guide you as you choose each element. Explore our IBSG portfolio or contact us today to learn more about bringing your dream interior to life.
What Materials Are Common in Luxury Interior Design?
At Interiors by Steven G., we are experts in creating a luxurious and sophisticated living space. Luxury interior design uses high-quality materials, exquisite finishes, and unique design elements to create an elegant or opulent living environment. These materials and design elements can be used to add texture, color, and personality to any high-end project.
Certain materials are often associated with luxury due to their rarity, exclusivity, or quality. Some of the materials we commonly use when designing a luxury space include:
Natural Stones
Marble is a commonly used stone in luxury interior design. Designers often use this natural stone for flooring, countertops, and accents. Its intricate veining pattern gives it a distinct look. Marble comes in a variety of colors and finishes. It is a versatile material that can be used in various design styles, from traditional to modern. Marble is also durable and heat-resistant. You can place high-quality marble flooring in high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways without worrying about wear and tear.
Other natural stones such as granite, limestone, and travertine can also be used for luxury flooring, countertops, and accents. These stones are similar to marble in their durability and resistance to normal, everyday use. Crystal is another material that can be used for lighting fixtures, chandeliers, and decorative accents. It helps reflect light and add subtle beauty to a room.
Exotic Woods
The choice of wood for an interior design project depends on the desired look, style, and functionality of the space. Each type of wood has unique characteristics and can add warmth, texture, and character. Exotic woods help elevate furniture, cabinetry, and flooring.
Woods like mahogany, teak, and ebony are some of the options for high-end millwork. Mahogany is a reddish-brown hardwood with a straight, fine grain. Teak is a durable hardwood with a warm, golden-brown color and a straight, tight grain. Many use mahogany and teak for both indoor and outdoor furniture.
Precious Metals
Gold and silver are commonly used in luxury interior design for fixtures, hardware, and decorative accents. Gold can be used to add warmth and richness to a space, while silver adds sparkle and provides a clean feel. Both gold and silver are great for reflecting light and brightening up a room.
Luxury Fabrics
Some fabrics like silk, velvet, and leather are considered synonymous with luxury and are commonly used to add sleekness to a room. Silk is a luxurious and high-end fabric that can be used for drapes, upholstery, and bedding. It has a soft feel and elegant appearance that adds a royal look to any bedroom or living area.
Velvet is another plush and luxurious fabric that is often used for furniture, drapes, and decorative accents. Brightly colored velvet can add a pop of color when used for throw pillows. It is a soft and smooth fabric that gives off a hint of shine in direct lighting.
High-quality leather is often used for furniture, wall coverings, and decorative accessories. It is a highly durable and versatile material that can last through the years. It can be used for headboards, sofas, and tabletops. Quality leather requires minimal maintenance and develops additional character as it ages.
Design Elements of Luxury Materials
Luxury interior design requires an understanding of how each material can influence a space. At Interiors by Steven G., we aim to design a space with an understanding of the client’s preferences and needs. Here are a few ways to create a luxurious interior design using quality materials:
Add Texture
Texture is used in interior design to add visual interest, depth, and dimension to a space. Texture refers to the surface quality of a material. It can be either tactile or visual. Luxurious texture can be created through materials like velvet, fur, leather, or silk.
We incorporate texture into our designs to create a sense of balance and harmony. We do this by providing contrast and variation to a space. Smooth textures can be balanced with rough textures, and shiny textures can be balanced with matte textures.
The use of texture can also help to create a certain mood or atmosphere in a space. Rough, natural textures like stone and unfinished wood can create a more rustic or organic feel, while smooth, sleek textures like glass or polished metal can create a more modern and sophisticated vibe.
Consider Customizing
Customizing elements such as built-in shelving, cabinetry, or furniture can create a unique and personalized feel that enhances the luxurious atmosphere. When we discuss customization with our clients, we consider factors such as the budget, the style and theme of the space, and any specific needs or preferences. We also help clients consider the materials used for their customized features, such as exotic wood or leather, to see if they will match the overall desired look.
Customization can be a great way to create a unique, personalized space that reflects the client’s taste and lifestyle. Customizing elements such as furniture, lighting fixtures, window treatments, and wall finishes can help create a one-of-a-kind space that stands out. Customization can also help to solve specific design challenges such as awkward room layouts or unusual architectural features.
Incorporate Rich Colors
Rich colors can make a space feel more luxurious by adding depth, warmth, and sophistication. They can create a sense of elegance and intimacy that elevates the overall aesthetic of a space. Rich colors can also create a sense of drama and interest, drawing the eye and creating a focal point in a room.
Deep, rich hues such as burgundy, navy, emerald, and plum can make a room feel more inviting, particularly in larger spaces. We can easily incorporate these colors in your space through materials like velvet and silk.
Choose Luxury Interior Design for Your Next Space
At Interiors by Stephen G., we specialize in full-service interior design. We understand how to use luxury materials like marble, silver, and silk to upgrade your space and give it the high-end feel you’re looking for. Contact us today to take advantage of our years of experience with luxury interior design.
Why You Need Luxury Interior Design for Your Office
Luxury interior design can help you create an inspiring and productive work environment. Interiors by Steven G (IBSG) can help you create a well-designed office space to promote optimal productivity. Here are reasons to invest in luxury interior design for your office:
Create a Positive First Impression
A well-designed office can foster a positive first impression and set the tone for a successful business relationship with your clients. It can help show visitors that your business is professional, committed to results, and successful. This can build confidence and trust with potential clients and encourage loyalty to your brand.
Interiors by Steven G has been in the interior design space for over 40 years, a period that’s allowed us to learn what works with different areas. Our luxury designers can work with you from start to finish to deliver an aesthetically pleasing space.
Improve Brand Image
Your office space is an extension of your brand and can significantly impact how visitors view you. A well-designed space can help communicate your business’s personality and brand values. This can help you stand out from competitors and increase your brand’s recognition.
We aim to create a space that reflects your passions and personality. After assessing what you do, our interior designers can recommend a suitable theme for your office. We can help you choose colors, materials, and finishes that best reflect your business and personal preferences.
Make Optimal Use of Space
Luxury interior design can help you fit more things and people into your office without cluttering the space. Using your office efficiently can help save money, as you may not need to lease or rent another space to accommodate new people or office supplies.
We begin every project by analyzing our clients’ floor plans to help deliver functional spaces. Our luxury designers can help you with space planning and recommend space-saving ideas to help optimize your space. With our guidance, you can minimize the risk of facing space limitation issues and avoid having too much unused space.
Showcase Attention to Detail
Luxury interior design can demonstrate your attention to detail and commitment to excellence. The design can also highlight your willingness to invest in quality to achieve your goals.
Interiors by Steven G can showcase your attention to detail by choosing and curating high-quality materials, furnishings, and finishes. Our interior designers can help you select everything from your flooring to your lighting and artwork from our extensive interior design collection. We can also create custom-designed elements to enhance your uniqueness.
Boost Comfort
Luxury office interior designers can boost comfort in your space by providing elements like comfortable furniture. Enhancing comfort in your workplace may help increase employees’ morale and overall productivity. Getting items that can boost comfort in your office can be easy when you choose Interiors by Steven G. We have a large showroom that features everything from furniture to lighting.
Our products are designed with client comfort in mind so you can easily find ideal elements for your office. You can experience our wide range of interior design items first-hand in our showroom to make choosing elements for your office easier.
Maximize the Benefits of Luxury Interior Design
Working with a professional can help make the most out of your luxury interior design.
Assess any potential firm’s quality of work before booking their services to determine their suitability. An ideal choice will have a reputation for delivering high-quality luxury designs. Check their past projects to determine if they meet your standards. Interiors by Steven G has received many design awards over the years, a testament to our work quality.
Consider a firm’s sustainability efforts if you’re an eco-friendly business. Associating with companies dedicated to environmental conservation can show your commitment to eco-friendliness. We work with LEED-accredited professionals to deliver green designs to our clients.
Assess a company’s design style to determine if they can deliver what you’re looking for in your office. Our designers are known for their expertise in designing traditional, contemporary, and transitional spaces. We’ll work to deliver a space that’s exactly as you envisioned.
Consider a firm’s communication efforts. Hire a company with a clear and open line of communication to easily express your vision. We have a diverse team consisting of designers fluent in seven languages. This allows us to communicate effectively with our clients.
Transform Your Office With Interior Design Today
Investing in luxury interior design for your office can improve your space’s functionality. You may also increase your productivity and make good first impressions on potential clients in a well-organized space. Hire professional interior designers to help with your project for quality results.
Interiors by Steven G is a one-stop shop for all your luxury interior design needs. We can help with everything from planning to implementation so you can focus on your core business operations. Contact us to learn how we can elevate your office.
# Trends in Interior Design
Interior design trends change yearly with new advancements, colors, textures, and possibilities. At Interiors by Steven G (IBSG), we keep tabs on emerging trends to provide premium interior design services. We’re a full-service firm capable of working with clients from conception through construction to completion. If you’re looking for leading interior designers South Florida, we’re here to help. Here are five trends in interior design you should be aware of:
1. Gold, Honeycomb & Indigo Accents
Colors can be the difference between dull and attractive spaces. Interior designers can use any color, but some hues become popular at different times. In 2023, indigo, honeycomb, and gold promise to be the colors to carry the year. Indigo is a rich, oceanic cobalt color you can use to enliven your bedroom, living room, game room, kitchen, basement, and home gym. The color also features many variations, so you can find the best match.
Honeycomb is another color expected to grow in popularity this year. The warm turmeric yellow brings out the radiance of other colors in a room. You can expect these brilliant hues in various fixtures, including wall décor, fashion items, flatware sets, ceramics, and houseware. If you fancy bright blue and yellow, expect more of these colors in standard interior design products. You can also find sage green and warm coral to create seamless indoor/outdoor transitions.
2. Vintage Plaster Chandeliers & Retiring Light
Glass and metal chandeliers have kept their luster for years but may soon go out of trend. Coming to replace them are vintage plaster chandeliers, which offer a subtle poetic statement. The chalky white finishes match nearly all décor and present natural-looking imperfections that add to the trend’s appeal.
People seek lighting that exemplifies handmade quality and organic imperfections in classic fixtures. At Interiors by Steven G, we’re seeing increased interest in vintage plaster chandeliers and retiring lights. The interest in flashy fixtures that bend, branch, and poke is dwindling in a post-pandemic world that seeks comfy accessories.
3. Statement Marble and Splashy Slabs
Marble is one of the top materials for kitchens and bathrooms. The material offers natural elements and dramatic veins that create unique aesthetics. No two marble countertops, slabs, backsplashes, or floors are the same. The material features unique characteristics and is one of the interior designs we expect to thrive in 2023. You can use it for the kitchen, sinks, vanities, side tables, and other fixtures to create a bold statement.
At Interiors by Steven G, we can help you find premium-quality marble for your application. You can find gentle coasters and bookends with classic neutral tones. Modern trends have gradually shifted from dirt-catching grooves to seamless marble and quartzite. The materials come in transfixing shades, including blush pinks, greens, blues, and fusion. You can review our collection to find the perfect colors and finishes for your interior design.
4. Curvaceous Cabinetry & Decorative Storage
The need to create a neat, uncluttered space is one of the driving factors for interior design trends. Curvaceous cabinetry is the next big trend in the kitchen and bedroom. The cabinets come in different options, including storage cabinets. You can also find open cabinetry with aesthetic designs and customizable finishes. The goal is to allow homeowners and business owners to create personalized spaces and moods.
Storage boxes are other decorative fixtures that contribute to the space’s aesthetics. Modern boxes help to clear clutter and feature custom elements to fit your home’s décor. You can find boxes with elegant finishes, glossy lacquer, and durable materials. The cabinetry and decorative storage boxes aim to increase space efficiency and aesthetics. At Interiors by Steven G, we provide a wide range of classic and contemporary cabinetry and decorative storage boxes.
5. Vintage Open-plan Dining Room & Moody Hues
The vintage open-plan dining room has never gone out of trend per se but is making a significant return in recent times. Traditional dedicated dining room dovetails and open plans can create a cozy environment for you and your family. The vintage open-plan dining room is an exciting choice if you fancy traditional holiday gatherings, backyard BBQs, and social conversations. You can create a romantic, restaurant-worthy space.
Moody hues are another trend we see picking up in various areas. Many of our clients prefer rich, dramatic color palettes. You can find unique hues like star-shade purple, sand, cream, maroon, chocolate brown, and more. Bold colors, moody schemes, and deep color décor supplant recently in-demand light oaks. Icy Scandi rooms are also being replaced with open-plan dining rooms and vintage moody hues, decorations, scents, lighting, and more.
Reputable Interior Designers South Florida
Working with a leading interior designer is the best way to get satisfactory outcomes. At Interiors by Steven G (IBSG), we provide full-service interior design with unique choices and customization options. Our company designs luxury homes, condos, hotels, restaurants, offices, and residential spaces. We’re leading interior designers South Florida residents can trust for the latest trends and premium-quality products and services.
Interior Design Vs. Interior Decorator: What’s the Difference?
Interior design and decoration can be used synonymously on specific occasions, but the two have various fundamental differences. At Interiors by Steven G (IBSG), we specialize in interior design for residential and commercial spaces. We’re the team to call when looking for interior designers South Florida. Here’s an overview of the primary differences between interior design and decoration:
What Is Interior Design?
Interior design is a science involving understanding how people create functional spaces in a building. Decoration entails furnishing and adorning elements people use to improve space aesthetics. Interior designers can decorate, but not all interior decorators can design a functional space. The interior design process uses a systematic methodology involving research, analysis, and integration to deliver client needs.
Interior designers employ creative and technical solutions to create a functional, attractive space. The goal is to design a space that benefit’s the occupant’s quality of life. Interior designers evaluate the building’s shell, physical location, and social context of the project. At Interiors by Steven G, we provide a full service covering everything from project conception to completion. We also have an extensive collection of decorative elements.
What Is Interior Decoration?
Interior decoration integrates aesthetically pleasing elements to improve a room’s overall look and feel. An interior decorator thinks about decorative elements like furniture, wall covering, rugs, upholstery, accessories, and more. Interior decorators seldom work with architects to create new spaces. They embellish existing interior spaces with fitting fixtures and elements based on client needs.
At Interiors by Steven G, we provide decoration services alongside design. Our team can create new spaces from scratch and have the skills to improve existing designs. Interior decoration is a smaller subset of interior design. Decorators are stylists who can tweak various elements to produce the desired aesthetics. You can hire a decorator if you want a makeover after the designer completes structural plans and renovations.
What Is the Difference Between Interior Design and Decoration?
Interior design and decoration call for unique skills and education. Designers are expected to have a higher level of education. Decorators don’t require formal training because interior decoration focuses on space aesthetics. An interior decorator doesn’t participate in structural planning or renovations. The decorator focuses on the surface appearance of the space.
Some decorators have degrees in related fields, and many enter the profession after developing a hobby for decorating. Interior designers have a more complex role and must follow specific codes and standards to deliver the desired outcome. Designers also need a license to offer their services. Here are the primary differences between interior design and decoration:
1. Credentials
Many U.S. states require interior designers to get a license or registration permitting them to provide their services. When you search for interior designers South Florida, you’ll get recommendations for companies licensed in the state. The designers know codes, standards, and environmental sustainability requirements in Florida.
Interior decorators don’t need accreditation, but leading professionals have such options. At Interiors by Steven G, we have a qualified team with various credentials. Our designers and decorators have completed courses for color, fabric, space planning, room layouts, furniture styles, and more.
2. Duties
Interior designers and decorators have different duties. A decorator focuses on helping clients choose a style, color scheme, furniture, decorations, and accessories for interior and exterior spaces. Their work revolves around sprucing up an existing space. Interior decorators are hired after the completion of interior building design, so they don’t work with architects or builders. They can collaborate with companies offering furniture, accessories, and wall coverings.
Interior decorators won’t change the doors, windows, toilets, kitchens, and functional spaces. They can impact lighting, soft decorations, artwork, toppings, and furnishings. Interior designers deal with comprehensive research and analysis to understand the client’s needs. They plan interior layouts to make them functional and aesthetic. Interior designers use advanced technology to create virtual plans and work with architects, engineers, and builders.
3. Projects
Interior designers and decorators take on different projects and work with specific professionals. When hiring one, you can consider whether your needs are structural or purely aesthetic. Interior designers handle structural changes, such as removing a wall, relocating plumbing and wiring, and adding new doors/windows. Decorators are hired when you need aesthetic help, such as deciding on a style or choosing furnishing, wallpaper, paint, or window treatment.
Interior decorators focus on meeting clients’ needs for a beautiful, welcoming space. Decorators come on board after the structural work is complete. They work directly with homeowners and business managers to deliver customized stylistic solutions. Designers work closely with contractors and architects to deliver functional spaces according to the client’s needs and zonal requirements.
Leading Interior Designers South Florida
Interiors by Steven G (IBSG) is a full-service interior design firm with experienced designers and decorators. We service clients looking for interior designers South Florida. Our company can handle everything from design conception to completion and decoration. We can help you create a functional space and select furniture, furnishings, greenery, lighting, décor, accessories, and more. Our company is your one-stop shop for all design needs in south Florida.
# Characteristics of a Luxury Interior
If you’re looking for luxury interior design, Interiors by Steven G (IBSG) can help. We’re a prominent full-service interior design firm focusing on creating luxurious settings and spaces. Our team can help you find the best furniture, fabrics, décor, lighting, greenery, and accessories. Luxury designs have unique attributes that distinguish them from other interior designs. Here’s an overview of five characteristics that identify luxury designs:
1. Comfort and Elegance
Luxury designs are comfortable, welcoming, and elegant. Comfort is one of the prominent characteristics of luxurious designs. Think of soft rugs, plush duvets, expensive finishes, and amenities for relaxation. You can also find custom-made upholstery, splendid curtains, and automation. The goal is to combine style, comfort, and utility to provide a plush setting. Luxury designs are aesthetic and give the most comfort.
At Interiors by Seven G, we provide rich materials and fabrics to create an inviting interior space for your home or business. We use unique textures and patterns to offer a sleek, uncomplicated feel to the room. Our products are also environmentally friendly and sustainable. Luxury interiors depict consistency in designs. The design flows seamlessly from one section to another to create balance in your home.
2. Personal Touch & Customization
At Interiors by Steven G, we know that every person has a unique style they want to bring out. Our interior designs accommodate the owner’s style, including custom materials, colors, and finishes. Luxurious interiors reflect the owner’s personal touch and preferences. We can use handmade products, recycled materials, and more. Our portfolio includes traditional, contemporary, transitional, hospitality, and commercial options.
A luxury interior design features unique furniture and furnishings picked to meet specific design needs. Custom-made fixtures protect owners from having to compromise. You don’t need to look for alternatives when you can create the fixture from scratch. Interiors by Seven G can help you create unique interior design fixtures and furnishings. The goal is to develop exemplary spaces that don’t resemble any other in design and accents.
3. Precision & Attention to Detail
Luxury homes and commercial outlets require great attention to detail. The little things count, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, showrooms, lobbies, and other spaces. At Interiors by Steven G, we pay attention to all the intricate details to provide a fully customized design. The detail lies in the fixtures, floor designs, finishes, and decorative fixtures. Our goal is to meet client needs while uplifting the space to fit the intended application.
We choose accents carefully and use optimal furniture and furnishings for the space. Every small detail in a luxury design has a role to play and must not be overlooked. We review all design elements to determine the best way to make a difference. Our team thinks through everything from the painting and curtains to the legs of the tables/chairs. Designing a personalized space requires attention to the little details, including texture and accents.
4. Sustainability & Technology
The floor plan is one of the first things we consider when creating a luxurious space. Next up is the material choice. You can create a timeless, functional space that looks aesthetic and features sustainable, eco-friendly materials. Luxury interior designers care about the carbon footprint and living organisms in the immediate environment. Modern housing materials can be eco-friendly and sustainable. You can also find cruelty-free upholstery and VOC-free products.
Interiors by Steven G can use sustainable materials and offer professional advice to help clients identify the best options. We also leverage modern technology to increase the level of comfort and convenience. Our team knows what’s required to create neat spaces without eyesores and loose cables. Technology can improve space aesthetics and functionality. You can leverage automated systems, lighting, quality installation processes, and more.
5. Defined Experience & Focal Point
A luxury design seeks to create a unique experience with a focal point and various accents. At Interiors by Steven G, we work on every project from scratch and don’t use a one-size-fits-all model. Our team can help you get your priorities right to create an experience that suits your lifestyle. The goal is to embrace your passions and design a custom interior for better functionality and movement. We can also help you create focal points that draw attention.
Our designers are experienced in creating luxury designs with practical fixtures and furnishings. A focal point can be a furnishing, a piece of art, a light fixture, or a combination of luxury design elements. We can help you create a smooth transition between different sections with unique focal points for your guests. Our team knows how to pick items that complement each other to create an exceptional interior design. Luxury designs provide a defined experience.
Working With a Luxury Interior Design Team
Although luxury interior design is a sought-after look, not all outcomes are created equal. Some designers have more experience and better judgment than others. You need a reputable team to help you create the interior design you seek for your space. At Interiors by Steven G (IBSG), we work with clients from conception through construction to completion. We’re a one-stop shop for all your interior design needs and specialize in luxury homes, condos, and hotels.
Can You Use Interior Design for an Outdoor Entertaining Area?
Improving your outdoor entertaining area can enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal and value. You can get experienced interior designers to upgrade your space, as some interior design elements can be applied to outdoor areas. Interiors by Steven G (IBSG) is one of the top interior designers South Florida, dedicated to bringing luxury interior designs to life. Here’s why we believe interior design can also work for your outdoor entertaining area:
Interior Design Uses Similar Features
You need your outdoor environment to be as comfortable and convenient as your indoor space when entertaining guests to enhance their relaxation. This may mean building an outdoor kitchen to minimize your movements to and from your house if you enjoy cooking for your guests. You also need to choose comfortable furniture, functional and elegant lighting, and soft furnishings like cushions and rugs to make your space warm and inviting. These are all interior design elements, so you can ask for help from your interior designer.
IBSG designers can work hand in hand with you when choosing the best elements for your entertaining space. Our 110,000-square-foot showroom carries a wide variety of fixtures that’d fit seamlessly into your indoor and outdoor space — you don’t need to hire multiple designers if you want your outdoor entertaining area to carry similar features to your indoor space. We have vast experience designing luxury spaces, so you can rest assured we’ll deliver elegance and comfort.
Interior Design Can Incorporate Home Style
Using interior design for your outdoor space can guarantee a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors. IBSG can help you maintain the overall feel of your home by replicating your chosen indoor design outdoors. We have over 35 years of experience designing various collections, so you can rest assured we’ll follow your home’s general theme when creating your outdoor space.
Interior Design Can Create a Focal Point
Like an indoor space, an outdoor entertaining area needs a focal point to anchor its decor. You can use interior elements like artwork, a fireplace, or light fixtures or go for more outdoorsy elements like a vertical garden or water feature. An interior designer can help with these elements if you’re unsure how to use them.
Our showroom carries many products you’d typically use as a focal point. You can see how different elements work together before deciding on your most-preferred design. We can also create a 3D model of your outdoor space, showing how we can use various objects as focal points. This allows our clients to visualize how their spaces will look before the actual construction begins.
Interior Design Can Optimize Functionality
Interior design can enhance your space’s curb appeal and functionality. The design can be ideal for creating an inviting and comfortable outdoor area to encourage engagement with your visitors. Our designers can create a sketch of your entertaining area, highlighting how people will move throughout the space. We can show you how elements like furniture placement can impact traffic flow through our 3D visualizations. Also, we can create an optimal design that makes it easier for guests to move from your house to the outdoor area and socialize.
Hire Interior Designers South Florida
You can take advantage of South Florida’s tropical climate by creating an outdoor entertaining area to host your guests. Interior design can help create an aesthetically appealing and functional outdoor entertaining area.
Interiors by Steven G (IBSG) is one of the most skilled and experienced interior designers South Florida. We can leverage our 35 years of experience, full-service design staff, and wide product selection to make your dream outdoor space a reality. Contact us to discuss your project and how we can help.
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3. I received a commission to paint some lovely porcelain Santa figures by a friend of mine, and I'm not sure what primer to use, or whether I need to use primer at all. Does anyone have experience with this? Is a spray primer likely to cause damage? I'd use brush-on, but given that each figure is 10 inches tall, that's a bit more hand-priming than I want to do! Here's one of them as an example (there are 7 in total): Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Huzzah! --OneBoot :D
4. In the Reaper Live videos, it's been mentioned that most rattle primers are ok to use. But no one that I've seen has mentioned their results of spray priming their bones black, so I thought that I would post my results here. I hope that others will post theirs as well. Cleaning and prepping mold lines on bones black is very different than regular bones. I would compare it to other gaming companies hard plastic while still having a little bit more flexibility. So far I've used the following primers, I'll add to this list as I use new ones: Krylon Colormaster White primer- quick drying time with light spraying, no stickiness, no granular texture associated with light dusting. The white stayed relatively white unlike on other plastic models. Rustoleum 2X Paint+Primer Satin Poppy Red- Smooth coverage, no texturing. However, after 24hrs is still slightly tacky to the touch. In places where I've scrapped mold lines away the plastic underneath is not tacky. I'll give it a few more days to cure and then I'll try stripping it and see how that goes. The tackiness maybe due to the satin primer rather than the more commonly used flat primer. ETU: 60 hrs and no change in the tackiness so I used isopropyl to strip it with no issues.
5. I know that Bones do not take spray primer without staying sticky but have read that the vallejo brush on primer works well. The question is that if you put the bush on primer first can you add a spray one primer after without the mini staying sticky? I know that the vallejo's can be airbrushed on but because i don't have a dedicated painting area its kind of a pain to drag out the airbrush to try out two tone priming.
6. I’ve got some of both these products, but I’m not sure exactly how they’re supposed to be used. I’ve tried the primer a few times, but compared to spray primer it’s very liquidy (not a surprise, since it’s a liquid). The issue is I don’t know if it is being properly applied or just running off into the cracks. It doesn’t turn the metal white, but I don’t even know if that is supposed to happen or not. Am I using it correctly? As for the brush-on sealer, what is it for and what does it do? I’m assuming it goes on at the end, and if that means I don’t need to buy yet another aerosol product, that would be swell.
7. At my friendly national chain home improvement store I found they sell mismixed paint colors at deep discounts. There I bought a 8 oz.(237 ml) sample pot of premium interior/exterior flat "paint and primer in one" for 50 cents. So I'm experimenting with using it as a primer for Bones. I will report on how it goes. In the meantime, feel free to discuss your budget alternatives.
8. Quick question regarding Bones and Greenstuff. I have a couple of Bones minis I'm going to be painting up here shortly that desperately need some gap filling done on them. I know that Bones minis generally do not need to be primed (other than maybe a thin layer of liner) but how does the GS used to fill gaps interact? Do I still need to hit it with some primer? On a related question, have any of you used the liquid green stuff? I'm assuming that it is also potentially pretty hard on brushes, much like brush on primer, but was curious as to what your experiences were. Some of the areas I want to fill are actually fairly small gaps, so the liquid GS seems like it would be a good match.
910. I stumbled on this while looking for something to prime my new foam terrain set. http://www.krylon.com/products/craft-foam-primer/ An internet search later and I found some locally, purchased and experimented. It says it creates a thin durable primed surface that seals the foam and makes it safe to spray with other aerosol paints. Well, it is definitely thin and is not going to hide any detail, I will apply two coats just to be safe. It dries pretty quick, this is two coats with one hour between coats then one hour to dry. Here is the true test, black aerosol spray paint.... ...and it worked. There is no bubbling, melting, deformation or even softening of the foam. For all of us foam using terrain-oholics out there we finally have a way to spray primer our terrain.
11. I have seen a lot of forum members state that they use the brown liner as a base coat for all their Bones minis. I was just curious how many actually do this? Do those who do this also use any of the other liner colors for their base coat? If so...why brown liner specifically? Also, when using the brown liner are you fully base coating as if you were priming or do you do a lighter coating? I like the idea of using the brown liner to sort of "prime" my bones mini's but I just was curious as to how most people go about this. Thanks for your input!
12. Even though Bones does not require primer, a lot of us still base coat it for paint adhesion. We've noticed that some paints are more likely to come off easily than others. I'm going to start playing around with several common and hobbyist spray primers and report the results. Baphomet did some preliminary experimentation here: http://forum.reapermini.com/index.php?/topic/48669-bones-the-first-coat-is-the-difference/?p=1047003 First up will be Armory Grey Primer and Armory Clear matte sealer. So far, the Armory Grey is amazing. It dries fast and seems to adhere really well. I think I like it over gray gesso and any of the normal acrylic model paints i've used. No tackiness, even after 24 hours of sitting. For this experiment I'm using Narthax.
13. Hey all, I had something odd happen the other night. I was priming a bones figure and the primer has set up glossy and a bit tacky instead of the normal flat finish I get. (I primed in black). I thought it was maybe the can of primer but I did another figure that night and no problems whatsoever with the same can. Im going to strip and try again but I was just curious if anyone had this happen to them as well. Thanks! -Gunz
14. This may have been asked before, probably has a few times I would wager, but my basic search didn't find anything, so I may not have gone back far enough, but is there a good way for priming resin suitable for a couple of decent sized pieces? I tried just washing with soap and water then going straight to paint, as I do with bones figures, but that didn't stick well. I do have MSP brush on primer, but I am getting a little low on it, so while I am going to order more, it will take a while to get here
15. Hey there everybody. It's coming up on my birthday and I'm thinking of picking up an airbrush rig. What I need to know is how well reaper paint sticks with bones when it's run through with a little Liquitex Airbrush Medium, or any other types of thinners? I'd hate to pick one up and find out that the largest batch of my minis can't easily be primed/basecoated without brushing first. I saw Wren's Basecoating guide, but in all the page, it really only mentions one quick blurb "For those who prefer to use spray primer, the best option is to use an airbrush to apply a coat of acrylic paint to the Bones figure. Reaper Master Series paint thins well with Golden or Liquitex Airbrush Medium, and maintains its strong adhesion, though I have found that adding airbrush medium does noticeably increase the drying time of the paint." This is good to know, but is there any further practical information on this I should know? How well does this compare to the other options? What are we looking at for drying time? Can alcohol be added to speed up the dry time, or does that ruin the paint in some way? Thanks in advance for any advice the community can provide.
16. So for two straight Kickstarters I've shown the restrain necessary and didn't end up getting any Bones and I'm still reasonably okay with that because I like metal, I won't lie and I really appreciate the detail metal provides. But those dastardly Reaper people put out a few that couldn't be gotten in metal, like Yephima, so I ordered one from my hobby store and sooner or later, actually probably later or sooner, I'd like to think about painting her up. Here's my dilemma: after giving her a sudsy bath and letting her dry, I think I really would like to prime her, even though everybody says it's not necessary. Is there any bad aspects of priming Bones? I'd use a Vallejo brush on white primer, which is what I've got. Has anybody had any bad primer experiences?
17. My wife got me a Bones Cthulhu for my birthday and I excitedly, put him together, removed the flash and primed him. Now he's a sticky mess. I came to the boards and read some of the recommendations to my chagrin. Is there anything I can do to restore him to a non-sticky state? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I would also suggest putting a large notice about how priming isn't necessary for the Bones line on your packaging. Thanks, Dave Margowsky
18 simple black paint the remaining coats of colors will not stick well and will rub off on the edges. Is all that correct? Thanks in advance guys
19. Due to logistical problems with spray primer, I'm switching to MSP brush-on. Should I thin down the primer before use as I would paints, or use it as-is?
20. I recently got back into miniatures. Well, I bought some regular primer from Home Depot and it dried really fast, which was a plus. But when I was painting, the primer was rubbing off, and when it wasn't rubbing off. The paint would like, 'chip' my paint. Is there a different type of primer that I could use to get more detail, or can I just somehow turn my primer into liquid primer. Any suggestions?
21. I have a mini that I primed using Krylon primer (spray on oil based I believe). However, before I got around to painting it I realized that I wanted to make some additional modifications to the mini (with green stuff). In addition, I noticed the primer got rubbed off in a few areas. I don't want to spray the entire mini with primer again, so I was thinking of touching it up using some of Reaper's paint on primer. Will this probably work without any issues, or is it bad to mix different types of primer on the same mini?
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5 Cutting-Edge Blender Gadgets for Nutritious Smoothies and Beyond
Are you a smoothie lover? Or are you in search of the perfect blender gadget that can help you make healthy, nutritious smoothies with ease? Look no further than this article, where we’ll be diving into the latest cutting-edge blender gadgets that are perfect for making your favorite smoothies and much more. These blender gadgets are designed to make blending effortless and will help you create a variety of healthy and delicious recipes.
With so many different types of blender gadgets available, it can be challenging to choose the right one that suits your needs. From powerful motors to advanced features, there are many things to consider when choosing the right blender gadget. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the best blender gadgets on the market that will help you create the perfect smoothie and other recipes.
So, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, busy parent, or just looking for an easy way to create healthy meals and snacks, these cutting-edge blender gadgets have got you covered. Read on to discover the latest and greatest blender gadgets that can help you whip up nutritious smoothies and so much more.
1. Personal Blenders
Personal blenders have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. These compact and portable blenders allow for easy and quick blending of small batches, making them perfect for individuals or small families. Here are some of the benefits of personal blenders:
• Convenience: Personal blenders are easy to use and clean, making them a great option for busy lifestyles. They are perfect for making single-serve smoothies or protein shakes, and some models even come with to-go cups for added convenience.
• Space-saving: Personal blenders are much smaller than traditional countertop blenders, making them perfect for those with limited counter space or who live in small apartments.
• Versatility: Personal blenders can be used for a variety of tasks beyond smoothie making. Some models come with interchangeable blades and accessories, allowing you to use them for chopping vegetables, grinding coffee beans, or making salad dressings.
When shopping for a personal blender, there are several factors to consider:
• Power: Look for a blender with a motor powerful enough to blend through tough ingredients like frozen fruit or ice.
• Cup size: Personal blenders typically come with cups ranging from 8 to 24 ounces. Consider your serving size needs and choose a blender with a cup size that suits you.
• Price: Personal blenders can range from budget-friendly to quite expensive. Consider your budget and needs before making a purchase.
Some popular personal blender models include the NutriBullet, Magic Bullet, and Ninja personal blenders.
Overall, personal blenders are a great option for those looking for a convenient and versatile blender for personal use. With a variety of models and features available, it’s easy to find one that fits your needs and budget.
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2. High-Performance Blenders
High-performance blenders are versatile and powerful kitchen appliances that can blend even the toughest ingredients to create silky-smooth smoothies, soups, nut butters, and more. Here are some features and benefits of high-performance blenders:
• Powerful motors: High-performance blenders are equipped with powerful motors that can generate up to 2 or 3 horsepower, allowing them to blend tough ingredients like frozen fruits and vegetables, nuts, and seeds with ease.
• Large capacity: Many high-performance blenders have a larger jar capacity than personal blenders, allowing you to make larger batches of your favorite smoothies, soups, or sauces.
• Variable speed settings: High-performance blenders come with variable speed settings, allowing you to control the speed and consistency of your blends.
• Tamper tool: A tamper tool is a feature that is unique to high-performance blenders. It is a tool that helps to push down the ingredients while the blender is running, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly blended.
• Nutrient-rich blends: High-performance blenders are capable of blending ingredients so thoroughly that they can release more nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants, making your smoothies and other blends more nutritious.
• Smooth and silky blends: With their powerful motors and variable speed settings, high-performance blenders can create ultra-smooth and creamy blends without leaving any lumps or chunks.
• Versatile: High-performance blenders can be used to create a wide range of dishes, from smoothies and soups to nut butters, dips, and sauces.
• Durable: High-performance blenders are built to last, with high-quality materials and sturdy construction that can withstand frequent use and heavy blending.
Some popular high-performance blender brands include Vitamix, Blendtec, and Ninja. While they may be more expensive than personal blenders, the benefits they offer in terms of power and versatility make them a worthwhile investment for those who are serious about their blending game.
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3. Immersion Blenders
Another type of blender that has become increasingly popular in recent years is the immersion blender. Also known as a hand blender, this gadget allows you to blend ingredients directly in the container, making it a great option for making small batches of sauces, dips, and dressings.
• Compact size: Unlike other types of blenders, immersion blenders are relatively small and take up less space in your kitchen. They can easily fit into a drawer or cupboard, making them an excellent choice for small kitchens or those who don’t have a lot of storage space.
• Versatility: Immersion blenders are incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of tasks. In addition to blending smoothies and pureeing soups, they can also be used to make whipped cream, beat eggs, and even chop nuts or herbs.
• Easy to clean: Immersion blenders are easy to clean since they can be easily disassembled and washed by hand or in the dishwasher.
• Time-saving: Immersion blenders are incredibly convenient and save time in the kitchen. You can blend ingredients directly in the pot or container, eliminating the need to transfer ingredients back and forth between the blender and the container.
• Better control: Since immersion blenders are handheld, they provide better control when blending ingredients. You can easily move the blender around the container, ensuring that everything is evenly blended.
• Less mess: Immersion blenders are less messy than traditional blenders since they don’t require you to pour ingredients into a blender jar. This can be especially helpful when making soups and sauces.
• Power: Immersion blenders can vary in power, so it’s important to choose one that can handle the tasks you plan to use it for.
• Durability: Like any kitchen gadget, you want to choose an immersion blender that is durable and can withstand frequent use.
• Price: While immersion blenders are generally less expensive than high-performance blenders, they can still vary in price. It’s important to consider your budget and choose an immersion blender that fits your needs.
Overall, immersion blenders are a versatile and convenient option for those who want a quick and easy way to blend small batches of ingredients. They’re also a great option for those who have limited storage space in their kitchen.
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4. Blender Bottles
Blender bottles are a convenient gadget for people who are always on the go and need to make a quick, nutritious drink. These bottles are portable and can be taken with you wherever you go, making it easy to enjoy a smoothie, protein shake, or any other blended drink.
What is a Blender Bottle?
Blender bottles are a type of shaker bottle that come with a built-in mixing ball. The ball is designed to break up any clumps or lumps in the drink, ensuring a smooth and consistent texture. The bottles are made from BPA-free plastic, and some models even come with insulated walls to keep your drink cold.
How to Use a Blender Bottle
Using a blender bottle is very simple. First, add your desired ingredients to the bottle, making sure not to fill it to the top. Then, add a liquid such as water, milk, or juice. Place the mixing ball inside the bottle and secure the lid tightly. Finally, shake the bottle vigorously until all the ingredients are well-mixed.
Benefits of Using a Blender Bottle
There are several benefits to using a blender bottle, including:
• Convenience: Blender bottles are portable and can be taken with you wherever you go, making it easy to enjoy a nutritious drink on the go.
• Easy to Clean: Blender bottles are very easy to clean. Simply rinse with warm water and soap, and let air dry.
• Cost-effective: Blender bottles are an affordable alternative to high-end blenders, making them a great option for those on a budget.
• Versatility: Blender bottles can be used for a variety of different drinks, including smoothies, protein shakes, and even salad dressings.
Tips for Using a Blender Bottle
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your blender bottle:
• Don’t fill the bottle to the top. Leave some room for the mixing ball to move around.
• Use ice cubes to keep your drink cold.
• Experiment with different ingredient combinations to find your favorite recipes.
• If you’re using powder supplements, add the liquid first and then the powder to prevent clumping.
Blender bottles are a convenient and affordable gadget for those who love making nutritious drinks on the go. They are easy to use, easy to clean, and can be used for a variety of different drinks. Whether you’re a busy professional or a fitness enthusiast, a blender bottle is a great addition to your kitchen gadgets.
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5. Smoothie Cups
Smoothie cups are essential accessories for people who enjoy sipping their smoothies on-the-go. They are convenient, easy to use, and can help keep your smoothie fresh and cool for a longer time. Here are some features and benefits of smoothie cups:
• Size: Smoothie cups come in various sizes, ranging from 16 ounces to 32 ounces. Some cups are designed to fit in your car cup holder, making it easy to carry your smoothie with you on your morning commute.
• Material: Smoothie cups are usually made of plastic or glass. Plastic cups are more durable and lightweight, while glass cups are more eco-friendly and stylish.
• Lid: The lid of the smoothie cup is an important feature. Most smoothie cups come with a secure lid that prevents spills and leaks, while others have a straw hole to make drinking easier.
• Convenience: Smoothie cups make it easy to enjoy your favorite smoothie on-the-go. You can take it with you to work, the gym, or on a road trip.
• Easy to clean: Most smoothie cups are dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning up after your smoothie a breeze.
• Versatility: Smoothie cups can also be used for other drinks such as water, juice, or iced tea. You can also use them to store food or snacks, making them a versatile addition to your kitchen.
• Temperature control: Some smoothie cups come with insulated walls, which can keep your smoothie cold for hours. This is especially useful during the summer months.
Smoothie cups come in a variety of colors and designs, making them a fun and stylish accessory for anyone who loves smoothies. They are also affordable and easy to find at most kitchenware stores or online retailers. Whether you are a busy professional or a fitness enthusiast, a smoothie cup can help you stay hydrated and healthy on-the-go.
No products found.
Investing in blender gadgets can make a significant difference in your smoothie game. From personal blenders to high-performance blenders, immersion blenders, blender bottles, and smoothie cups, there are numerous options to choose from that can suit your individual needs and preferences. Whether you want to whip up a quick smoothie for breakfast or enjoy a refreshing drink after a workout, these blender gadgets can make the process effortless and enjoyable.
Personal blenders are ideal for individuals who are always on the go and need to prepare their drinks quickly. High-performance blenders, on the other hand, are perfect for individuals who want to create restaurant-quality smoothies at home. Immersion blenders are an excellent option for those who want a versatile blender that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as making soups and purees. Blender bottles and smoothie cups are also essential tools for individuals who want to take their smoothies on the go.
In conclusion, incorporating these blender gadgets into your daily routine can lead to a healthier and more convenient lifestyle. Not only can they help you make nutritious and delicious smoothies, but they can also simplify meal preparation and reduce kitchen clutter. By investing in these cutting-edge blender gadgets, you can take your smoothie game to the next level and enjoy the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.
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A Lithgow Palooza!: 101 Ways to Entertain and Inspire Your Kids
What's a palooza?
An activity that keeps kids from uttering those terrifying words, "I'm bored!"
You may know John Lithgow as star of stage, screen, and television or even as a bestselling children's book author. But his most important role -- parent -- was also the most fun. Whether building cardboard castles or putting on a King and I puppet show or conducting a treasure hunt in the National Gallery of Art, ...
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What's a palooza?
An activity that keeps kids from uttering those terrifying words, "I'm bored!"
You may know John Lithgow as star of stage, screen, and television or even as a bestselling children's book author. But his most important role -- parent -- was also the most fun. Whether building cardboard castles or putting on a King and I puppet show or conducting a treasure hunt in the National Gallery of Art, John has spent years perfecting the art of the palooza.
A palooza is easy to do!
• A palooza doesn't cost much (some cost absolutely nothing)
• A palooza is instigated or organized by parents but is quickly taken over by children
• A palooza may involve a computer but never the TV
• A palooza may use all varieties of arts and crafts
• A palooza may secretly teach children (and parents!) a thing or two
• A palooza is entertaining for the entire family
• A palooza depends entirely on the inexhaustible creativity, ingenuity, imagination, and sense of fun of young minds
This book contains 101 ideas for creating paloozas for children ages 3 to 12 wherever you are. Grouped according to interests and themes -- like art, drama, music, vacations, and birthdays -- and incorporating lots of extrapaloozas, fun facts for parent and child, and suggested additional reading for all ages, John's paloozas range from adopting your own soup can for a day to inventing your own secret language to establishing left-handed day or creating a self-portrait. A Lithgow Palooza! is an utterly unique collection of original activities guaranteed to transform any household from bored to bubbling with fun.
John Lithgow, the star of stage, screen, and television, writes his first book for parents: a completely unique collection of original activities to keep kids from getting bored.
Read More Show Less
Editorial Reviews
Publishers Weekly
Actor and children's author Lithgow (I'm a Manatee) has amassed a whimsical yet educational collection of activities parents can use to keep kids of all ages amused and engaged in learning while having fun. The book is divided into themed sections: "Big Paloozas," "Performance Paloozas," "Word Paloozas," "Music Paloozas" and other games. In each, parents will find suggestions rated by age and budget (most can be done cheaply or for free) such as building a fairy house from a shoebox, inventing a secret language or pretending to be an animal for a day. Lithgow accompanies many of the ideas, such as creating a photo essay (for children age nine and up), by noteworthy sidebars (in this case, a short history of photographer Gordon Parks). Lithgow's many years as a children's performer and author have served him well; the activities are, for the most part, varied and original. And the author, who used many of these while raising his own kids, has a knack for tapping into children's minds and worlds. Yet he presents his material in a straightforward manner that will make the games and projects easy for parents to implement and supervise, including the "running time" for each "palooza," related topics to pursue and suggested reading materials. With simple yet intriguing ideas, this is a delightful compilation to be used on rainy or sunny days with kids. Lithgow's humor and wit will inspire parents and children to rediscover the joys of good, old-fashioned imaginative play. (Apr. 6) Forecast: Lithgow is a popular celebrity with both children and adults, so there's a ready-made market for this book. His photo on the cover will help draw attention to it in bookstores. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
Both of these books offer innovative ideas for spending quality time with children and quelling all-too-persistent boredom. Kettman, a grandmother and author (The 12 Rules of Grandparenting), includes activities for infants through eight-year-olds that typically take five to ten minutes and use ordinary household items. Rather than the usual academic subjects, she organizes the ideas by desirable qualities and skills: "Communication," "Curiosity," "Decision Making," "Kindness," "Playfulness," "Self-Control," and "Self-Esteem." Many of her suggestions are ridiculously simplistic e.g., looking out a window with children and discussing what they see while a few are developmentally inappropriate, e.g., explaining to an infant not to eat crayons. One dictionary defines a lollapalooza as "something outstanding of its kind," which adequately describes Lithgow's latest book. Since Third Rock from the Sun ended, the actor has ventured into writing for children (e.g., I'm a Manatee). Now, he has created a book for entertaining kids that is out of this world. Inspired by activities that he actually used with his own children, each inexpensive "palooza" is categorized by theme: writing, acting, dance, music, and art, as well as ideas for things to do in the kitchen, in the car, on vacations, and on birthdays and holidays. The paloozas, which target ages six and up, are as varied and fun as Lithgow is wacky and wild. Parents will appreciate having this book on hand to create everything from secret languages and miming activities to extensive theme birthday parties. While Kettman's book is optional, Lithgow's is essential for all child-rearing collections. Charity S. Peak, Regis Univ., Colorado Springs Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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Product Details
• ISBN-13: 9780743261241
• Publisher: Touchstone
• Publication date: 4/6/2004
• Edition description: Original
• Pages: 368
• Sales rank: 1,437,508
• Product dimensions: 7.40 (w) x 9.16 (h) x 0.86 (d)
Meet the AuthoRead More Show Less
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE: the big paloozas
Adopt-a-Soup Can
Hold on to your hats, this is a nutty palooza. But trust me, the kids will love it. Andy Warhol exalted sameness in his Campbell's Soup Can series. This palooza brings an individual can of soup to life and gives it a personality all its own.
What's the Palooza?
Choose a can of soup to adopt. Roam the soup aisle at the grocery store and read aloud the names of various kinds of soup. Pick a soup that tickles your fancy and bring it home to "live." Invent a name that suits your soup can's personality; think Beany Bacon, Alpha Beth Soup, Tommy Tomato, Charlie Chowder, and so on.
At home with the soup, make a birth certificate for it. Look at your own birth certificate as a sidelight. Include the soup can's name, date, time, and place of birth (date of purchase, and store name), and the name of its legal guardian (your name). Once the soup can is named and has proper documentation, invent the soup can's life story and personality traits. Then dress it accordingly.
To dress the soup can, carefully remove the paper label. Trace the outline of the label onto a piece of paper to make a can-sized "dress" pattern. Design and color the new dress (or pants, bathing suit, tutu, and so on) for the can using the pattern. Thinking of its personality, use the soup can's favorite colors and patterns. Stripes. Solids. Citrussy oranges and pinks. Businessy blues and grays. Don't forget to leave space to draw a face onto the paper. Outfit the can by taping on his new clothes. Add hair by attaching pieces of yarn to the top of the can with tape.
A soup can's accessories say much about his personality. Dress him up for a business meeting by adding a little necktie. Draw an umbrella and handbag for her. Or a baseball cap and glove for him.
What's your soup can like? She's a little bit shy, but loves Audrey Hepburn movies. He's always green with pea-soup envy. Does she socialize with other soups or prefer the company of mixed nuts? The idea is to make the can as interesting a character as possible. And to get her involved in your life! She comes to the table for meals. She helps with homework. She goes to ballet class and soccer practice. She may even go to school for show-and-tell. Be sure to tell how she got that dent below her ingredients list. It's quite a story.
Souper Can!
Souper Can is a soup-can superhero. He's got whatever powers you dream up for him. (And he's probably wearing a cape and lots of spandex!) Take photos or draw pictures of Souper Can doing outrageous superhero kinds of things. Use the photos or drawings to make a comic book of Souper Can's adventures. Souper Can lands on the roof of the dollhouse for an amazing rescue of a cat stranded on the second-story windowsill. Souper Can bravely cleans his plate of Mom's asparagus casserole. Souper Can discusses playground safety with the school principal. Souper Can looks under a child's bed with concern. Write funny captions or dialogue to go with the pictures.
Junk Garden
By planting in unusual objects, planting an entire garden in an old tire, or decorating a whole garden with quirky found objects, kids get to flex their resourceful and imaginative muscles. They also gain an appreciation for whimsy in the garden and for the earthly delights of a garden itself.
What's the Palooza?
Create a junk garden by incorporating the odd and unusual in the backyard, family garden, or outdoor terrace by using household items — from metal buckets or work boots to red wagons and old chairs — as planters or garden decoration. One person's old frying pan is another's dream ornament for a patch of scarlet begonias. A toy truck displayed on a rock just so becomes an appealing garden sculpture.
Choose a patch of ground in your yard or garden that can be designated as the "junk garden." How big a patch of ground you choose depends on the size of your property, of course, and how much space you want to devote in the yard for the activity. A minimum of one square yard is plenty to start. Mark it off with stakes and twine, twigs, sticks, and stones, or other objects you gather for the garden border. Use seashells, wooden blocks, dominos, board game pieces, or even plastic race car tracks.
Once the border is defined, the junk garden is ready to be planted. Plant objects only or a combination of objects and plants. You may want to plant your objects first, so as to avoid trampling the plants. Or you may want to get impatiens or petunias in the ground first, so as to invent creative displays around them with found objects. You can also skip real plants altogether. Go wild "planting" colorful cups and saucers you've collected at yard sales or plastic juice cups. Dig a little hole in the ground and "plant" a cup so that it is sticking in the ground about halfway. Or paint wooden spoons bright colors and plant them as flowers in your garden. Plant action figures, plastic animals, Barbie, you name it.
Plant items from the kitchen or basement such as a yardstick, an old boot, measuring spoons, or flatware. Be artful about the planting and think of interesting ways to combine objects and plants. Use saucers as backdrops for small plants. Make a perch for birds out of an old spoon tied tightly to a twig with rubber bands. Tend the junk garden carefully and water frequently. Change or move the objects as you collect new items or simply to redesign the garden.
Chair Trellis
Look for interesting old chairs at yard sales and antique stands. Choose a chair that has the patina of age or might be painted a favorite color. Position the chair in a spot that will accommodate the kind of plant you wish to grow, sun-, soil-, and water-wise. Ask your plant store for recommendations or choose a vine such as honeysuckle, sweet potato, passion flower, or a flowering bean vine, and train the vine to climb the chair. Voilà. Chair trellis.
Tire Garden
Use an old tire to make a raised bed. Fill the center of the tire with good soil and plant a tomato seedling in the center. Decorate the tire garden with Barbie shoes or marbles or other found objects. Then make tomato sandwiches in summer.
Junk Garden Themes
Choose a theme. Go all natural and use only twigs and stones, bird feathers, leaves, shells, moss-covered stones from a stream. Or make the garden dinosaurs-only. Create an imaginary universe in the garden using dollhouse furniture, "fairy furniture" made from items you collect (pipe cleaners, Popsicle sticks, toothpicks, old crayons), or twig tepees. Choose plants by theme, as well. Plant basil, lemon thyme, mint, dill, and lavender in a "nose garden." Plant snapdragon, tiger lily, catnip, and spider plants for a "zoo garden."
Container Planting
If it holds soil, and something will grow in it, it's a garden. Plant something wonderful in an old work boot. Or an old cast-iron frying pan. Or a little red wagon. Follow potting instructions for container planting from your favorite gardening book or rely on your own green thumb (paying attention to drainage, using good professional-grade potting soil, and so on), and plant to your hearts' content. Try lavender in the boot. Begonias in the wagon. Use yogurt cup liners (with a hole punched in the bottom for drainage) for planting in mugs you collect in thrift stores and yard sales. Have a mug garden collection.
Flowers for Your Garden
For immediate results in the flowerbed, plant seedlings or small plants from the nursery. Try annuals such as nasturtiums, petunias, impatiens, or verbena. Sunflowers are easy to plant from seed, and you can see growth almost daily. Green peas, lettuces, and pumpkins are fast-growing vegetables. Hollyhocks and daisies, two old-fashioned perennials, also mix well in a junk garden.
I've never outgrown my sense of amazement at the sheer audacity of a bridge. The idea of spanning an enormous body of water while appearing suspended in air by a few thin steel threads is magical. No wonder children — and most adults — are endlessly fascinated by bridges.
What's the Palooza?
An exploration of bridges, mind-boggling and mysterious — think about them, design them, build them!
Make up a quiz entirely of questions about bridges: What is the longest bridge in the world? The highest bridge? The strongest bridge? The oldest bridge? What country has the most bridges? What are all the types of bridges? What are the great bridges of the world?
Once the quiz is finished, take a trip to the library or the Internet. In looking for quiz answers, you can find out about famous bridges around the world, the history of bridges, how bridges are built, what materials they're made from, and so forth. You can also find out about the dozens of types of bridges, including suspension, cantilever beam, cable, truss, swing, and arch, to name a few. Try to find an example of each kind of bridge in your search.
Now that you know something about bridges, start building bridges out of as many different common materials as you can think of: paper, sticks, stones, clay, blocks, Legos, wire, magnets, candy, cards, toothpicks, you name it.
Begin by sketching a simple bridge. Then decide what material would work best for that particular bridge design. An arched bridge might be built out of plasticine. A truss bridge could be made of Popsicle sticks, white glue or Scotch tape, and string.
One of the simplest of all bridges is made of an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper and six books. Take the piece of paper and rest opposite ends on a stack of three books each. Here's where the mystery of science comes in: If you try to put a weight on this paper bridge, say a few pennies, it will collapse. If you fold the paper a few times, it magically holds the weight of the pennies.
If you're feeling ambitious, make a simple scale-model truss bridge, using toothpicks, glue, cardboard, and a marker. Go to http://www.yesmag.bc.ca/proj ects/bridge.html and follow the step-by-steps.
A terrific book all about build-it-yourself bridges is Bridges! Amazing Structures to Design, Build & Test by Michael Kline, Carol Johmann, and Elizabeth Reith. It's a great introduction to the whole wide world of bridges, with history, science, and lots of hands-on designing, building, and testing activities.
And check out www.pontifex2.com, featuring Pontifex II software, which allows you to build and test a bridge of your own design. Then you can use the 3-D graphics feature to view your creation from any angle, including "first person," where you're in the driver's seat of the test car.
Travel Bridge
Start a "collection" of bridges by keeping a special bridge notebook in the car. Then, whenever the family drives anywhere, pay attention to every bridge, no matter how small, you cross. Try to catch the name of the bridge and include the town or state it's in, what body of water it spans, or if it covers a landform of some kind, such as a ravine. See if you can figure out what type of bridge it is, too: suspension? arch? cantilevered? Maybe you give yourself extra points for crossing an unusual bridge — a covered bridge, for example. But it's plenty of fun simply to keep a lifelong list of bridges.
A Game of Bridge
Play an old-school game of bridge — London Bridge. Building bridges in the Middle Ages was fraught with suspicion because the bridge might disturb a place inhabited by devils and arouse their anger. In the original medieval game of London Bridge, being "caught" by the bridge was a way of separating players into devils and angels.
Two players stand face-to-face and clasp each other's hands high in front of them to form the bridge. Sing the words to the song as the other players walk or run under the bridge. To capture someone, the two bridge builders lower their arms whenever the verse reaches the words "My fair lady." Once every player has been caught, they divide in half, holding on to each other's waist to form a chain and play tug-of-war. (The tug-of-war symbolized the battle between good and evil — devils and angels.)
Bashful. Buttoned up. Taciturn. Tongue-tied. Wouldn't you rather be the one they called enlightening and effervescent, loquacious and mellifluous? It's all a matter of exercising your conversation muscles — and having fun, of course. They don't call it "wordplay" for nothing!
What's the Palooza?
Practice the fine art of conversation. It's not always easy to think of something to say, especially to someone you've just met. But there are simple ways to get a conversation started, and great ways to make it interesting.
The best place to start to explore conversation opportunities is around the dinner table at home. Usually the adults drive the dialogue, and it's easy to just let them do that. But you're tired of the "How was school? Did you do your homework?" dinner conversation you usually have. So take matters into your own hands. Throw a few provocative conversation starters out there and see what happens.
Ask questions. Choose one person to ask one question. Others around the table may want to answer the question as well, or the question may lead to another topic of conversation. Here are some ideas for questions to ask, but you should definitely think up some of your own:
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What famous person would you like to meet?
What is your earliest childhood memory?
What were your favorite cartoons when you were a kid?
If someone gave you $1,000 to spend in one day, how would you spend it?
If you could be invisible for a day, where would you go and what would you do?
How would you describe your perfect day?
Flash the facts. Share interesting pieces of information that are likely to spur conversation. For instance, did you know that no word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, and purple? Or that the average person falls asleep in seven minutes? Or that an ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain? Collect tidbits like this from books and magazines that you read and use them to get people talking.
Use the news to stir things up. Did you see a story on the sports page calling your dad's favorite baseball player "trade bait"? Did you hear on the radio that the government says ketchup counts as a vegetable in your school lunch? Did you see a story about someone spotting a UFO? Share these kinds of "news" bites, and you're sure to spark lively debates about what's fact and what's opinion — or what's fact and what's fiction!
Know what you think. When you hear a news story or listen to a conversation, don't just let it go in one ear and out the other. Stop and ask yourself, "What do I think about that?" Pay attention to subjects and issues being discussed around you and try to work out your opinion on them. It's okay to have mixed feelings about something (on the one hand, on the other...) because things are rarely crystal clear or black and white. Just try to know what you think and practice expressing it at the table. Who do you think would make a good president — and why? Do you think there should be a designated hitter in major league baseball — why or why not? Do you think that human cloning is possible — and if so, should it be allowed? The more you know about what you think, the more there is to talk about!
Hi-Point, Lo-Point
You can play Hi-Point, Lo-Point with family and friends or people you've just met. Start by sharing the hi-point, or best moment, of your day. Then describe the lo-point, or least pleasant part of your day. Hi-point? I got an A on my science test. Lo-point? My sandwich fell on the floor at lunch. Get everyone to share their hi-points and lo-points. Compare stories — who had the highest hi-point and the lowest lo-point? Play hi-point, lo-point every night at dinner and soon you'll have a Hi-Point, Lo-Point Hall of Fame. And shouldn't the person with the lowest lo-point not have to do dishes?
Conversation Piece
A conversation piece is an object that is so unusual and provocative that people can't help talking about it. It doesn't matter whether it's shocking or beautiful or rare or bizarre, as long as it arouses interest. If you are in someone's home and you see a skull on a bookshelf, for instance, or an elegant orchid on a table, you can be sure these are meant to be conversation pieces. Sometimes people dress in an extreme or unusual manner in order to be a conversation piece. Or they'll wear a startling piece of jewelry or over-the-top hat. Conversation pieces command attention, to be sure, but they don't guarantee that sparkling conversation will happen. That's still up to you.
It's About Time
It's hard to imagine getting through a day without our alarm clocks, wristwatches, and wall clocks. But ancient societies experienced and measured time in completely different ways (and they did just fine, didn't they?). This palooza explores some aspects of time we rarely take the time to think about.
What's the Palooza?
Devote a day to the exploration of time, and see what it would be like to live without our modern mechanical clocks at all. Before the late fifteenth century, mechanical clocks as we know them did not exist. But people came up with other ingenious ways to measure time. We've all heard of hourglasses and sundials. But there were also fire clocks, which were made of a burning candle with lines marking each hour, or even an incense stick that burned at a steady rate. Water clocks measured time by the flow of water through a small hole. In some of the most primitive cultures, time has been measured in vague but concrete approximations — people would talk of "the time it takes to cook a pan of beans" as a unit of time. And, of course, without reliable tools for measuring time, the sun acted as the biggest indicator of time.
Make a sundial before the day you will spend thinking about time. You will need a large piece of heavy paper or cardboard, a short pencil, a small amount of clay, and a watch. Place the pencil point down in the center of the cardboard, using the clay to secure it firmly. On a clear, sunny day, put the cardboard outside soon after the sun rises, making sure to put it in a spot that will not be obscured by shadow during any part of the day. If necessary, the cardboard can be held in place with small stones or a brick. At every hour until sunset, mark the place on the cardboard where the end of the pencil's shadow lies and the current time. Be careful not to shift or disturb the cardboard, or your measurement will be inaccurate.
The next day (which should probably be a Saturday, Sunday, or other no-school day), rise with the sun — or whenever your own biological clock tells you to — and let the fun begin! Unplug, put away, or cover up all your clocks, and use your sundial instead.
Over the course of the day, see if anyone in the family really has a good sense of time. One at a time, have each person lie down on the floor and close his eyes and start the stopwatch. Whenever he thinks one minute, or two minutes, or five minutes have passed, he stops the stopwatch and checks the amount of time that really passed. Write down each person's name and how many minutes he actually spent lying on the ground. Whoever gets the closest to ten minutes wins the Natural Timekeeper Award.
Mostly what you'll discover is how out of touch everyone's sense of time really is. Try to brainstorm the various ways that you can measure the passing of the day without looking at a clock or watch.
Talk about units of time drawn from the details of your day-to-day life: how about the time it takes the answering machine to pick up? The time it takes to lock the front door? See if you can incorporate these time units into your everyday conversations, such as, "Dinner will be ready in the time it takes to walk around the block." And then walk around the block, because that's a good idea, anyway!
At the end of this day of primitive timekeeping, it might be hard for you to decide whether you are lucky or unlucky to live lives where time is precise to the second. Does it make your life more organized or more frenzied? Would it be possible to abandon our traditional perception and measure of time completely? Never look at a watch or even your sundial? Imagine time not as cyclical, rather as one long line into the future without any measure but the quality of how you spend it. Read a good book until your eyes get tired. Then take a lovely nap until you wake up. Eat when you are hungry. Take a bath when it would feel good. Shaking off some of our micro-measurements of time would at least be a relaxing vacation!
Time Management Race
Set up relay teams, with one or more persons in each. Create a "course" of household or other tasks like loading or unloading a dishwasher, making and packing lunch for school, making a bed, and so on. Guess how long it will take to complete the tasks. Use a stopwatch to time the tasks. Closest guess to the correct time wins.
Reinvent the Calendar
How would you organize the 365 days of the year into smaller units or make your year have fewer than 365 days? What day will be the start of your calendar? What would you call the days, weeks and months? Maybe your "days" only come in pairs — Even Day and Odd Day. What are the special days on your calendar? Will the calendar correspond to the phases of the moon or changes in season, or will it be organized by something random, like whenever someone loses a tooth?
I never knew that mazes and labyrinths are not the same until I happened to be invited to the home of a friend who had a full-sized labyrinth on her property. As we walked it together, she explained that a labyrinth only has one path: you walk in toward the center and out again the same way. Mazes are meant to be confusing, full of dead ends and blind alleys, high walls or hedges, and twists and turns. Labyrinths are less frustrating but equally mysterious to a child, which is why they make a great palooza.
What's the Palooza?
Learn how to draw your own labyrinth. First, look at the examples of the labyrinths, opposite, which are the two most common types out of hundreds of variations. Labyrinths have a rich and varied history; they've been found on Greek coins and clay tablets, Roman mosaics and pottery, Swedish coastlines, medieval European cathedral walls and floors, Native American baskets and cliffs, Peruvian sands, Indian dirt, and English village greens.
Begin with the simplest labyrinth of all, the three-path (three-circuit). Look at the "seed pattern" below and copy it on a piece of paper at least 8½ by 11 inches. It's better to draw the seed pattern in the bottom half of the paper. Then it's a matter of connecting the dots and lines, as illustrated below. Once you've drawn your own, you can "walk" the labyrinth by tracing the path with either your finger, a pencil eraser, or a crayon or marker. (This is great to do in a restaurant with crayons and paper tablecloths.) It might take a few practice labyrinths before you get the hang of drawing the lines evenly enough to make nicely spaced paths, but that's part of the process.
After you're comfortable with the three-circuit labyrinth, you can try the seven-circuit, as illustrated below.
Sand and Land Labyrinths
Once you know how to draw a labyrinth with pencil and paper, you're ready for a larger canvas. Any wide open, level ground outdoors makes an excellent place for a three- or seven-circuit labyrinth with paths lined in small stones or rocks. If you're ambitious and energetic enough, make it really large and invite friends to walk it.
Your own backyard has labyrinth potential: try a simple three-circuit labyrinth by marking with chalk then cutting the pattern in the grass with a lawn mower. Driveways and sidewalks are great for chalk labyrinths of any size.
Next time you're at the beach, make labyrinths in the sand, using either a stick, your hands, a shovel, or even your feet.
Left-Hand Man
About 10 percent of the world's population is left-handed, and no one knows why. In some cultures, left-handedness is taboo, and left-handed children must write and eat with their right hands as if true righties. Lefties today are met with fewer cultural prejudices, but they truly do live in a world made for right-handed people. This palooza lets children explore the curious asymmetry of their own bodies and the inherent right-handedness they might never have noticed in everyday objects.
What's the Palooza?
Devote a day to left-handedness. Righties try to make their way through the day using their left hands the way they usually use their right hands. If you want to be really authentic, do it on August 13, International Left-Handers' Day. You'll realize how well trained our preferred hands really must be to do everyday tasks. Eating with a fork with your opposite hand feels awkward and can be messy. And writing with your opposite hand — well, for most people, it's just sloppy. You'll notice right away how automatically you use your right hand when dashing to pick up the phone or flip on the lights. As hard as it may be to switch for the day, you'll discover how hardwired you are to your handedness.
Explore the house and study all the little things you never noticed were intended for right-handed people. Wear your watch on your right wrist (as most left-handers do). It's hard to change the time without taking the watch off — the knob is on the wrong side! Play a game of cards with a standard deck. You'll notice that if you fan your cards in the left hand, you can't see the numbers. Now try writing in a spiral notebook. Ouch! Those books are definitely made for right-handed writers. Use a pencil to write. You'll see that our writing system, which reads from left to right, causes your left hand to get smudged with graphite as it continually rubs over what's just been written. Try using scissors or a can opener with your left hand. See how they're made just for righties? Make a list of all the things you can think of that favor the right hand. Even better to discover the rare objects that are easier to use with your left hand (a toll booth is one example).
The Right Way
Here's where the 10 percent of you who are left-handed try to see how the other 90 percent live. You'll struggle with awkwardness when writing and doing other ordinary activities, just the way the righties do when trading places with you. Look for all the little ways to work with your right hand — buttoning your shirt, tying your shoes, buttering your bread. You can gripe every other day of the year about tools and equipment being right-handed — today's your day to live in the lap of right-handed luxury.
Leonardo da Lefty
Being a lefty isn't only about getting ink smudges all over your hand when you write. It means that you're wired differently — the right hemisphere of your brain, instead of the left, is the dominant one. Left-handed — and thus right-brained — people tend to be creative and visually oriented, with exceptional spatial abilities. Whether you're left- or right-handed, stimulate the right side of your brain by looking closely at left-handed art. Examine the masterpieces of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael and see if you find some quality or tendency of their work in common. Look at the works of Picasso and van Gogh and think about how the way their brains worked — as well as their talented left hands! — helped them develop such unique styles of painting. Look up the drawings of M. C. Escher, which demonstrate the incredible spatial sense found among many left-handed people. Give the right hemisphere of your brain a real workout by trying to draw spatially impossible shapes and staircases leading nowhere.
Go to www.artcyclopedia.com to view works by these and other artists.
Imaginary World
It takes a special gift of imagination to invent a whole world, fully realized inside your head. A child absorbed in the tiny details of their imaginary world is a wonder to behold.
What's the Palooza?
Build a fairy house! Among the most enchanting inhabitants of an imaginary world are the fairies. And while fairies certainly make it their business to stay out of sight, you can make your yard or front step or windowsill a welcoming place for these sly, shy creatures by making a house for them featuring all the fairy creature comforts.
Start with a lidded shoe box (the smaller, the better), so you can lift the "roof" off your house to arrange and decorate inside. Cut holes (in any whimsical shape) for windows — fairies like natural, dappled light, so be sure to allow for a window on each wall. Cut a door opening at the front of your house, leaving one long side attached as the hinge side of the door. You may also want to make a back door, for a quick escape.
Take the top off your shoe box to work on your roof. You can have a flat roof decorated with leaves or bark, perhaps with a chimney or two made of twigs and bark. Or you can construct a pitched roof, by creating A-frames out of two six-inch twigs affixed with glue. Three or four A-frames ought to be enough support for your roof. The roof can be constructed of shirt cardboard cut to fit your A-frames, then decorated with leaves or bark like shingles. Or you can skip the cardboard and make the roof out of big pieces of bark, carefully glued to the A-frames. A twig chimney would be a nice touch. Be sure to glue the roof securely to the top of the shoe box at the bottom of each A-frame twig. Let this dry thoroughly before handling.
Back to the house. Find bark or leaves or evergreen fronds to glue to your house like big shingles. Leave enough clearance at the top of the house so you can set your roof on top. Use small twigs for window mullions; skeleton leaves hung just inside the window make nice curtains.
Speaking of curtains, what else is inside your fairy house? An area rug or wall-to-wall carpet made of moss? Perhaps there is furniture made of Popsicle sticks and bottle caps. Tablecloths made of flower petals. A handsome fireplace of chunky little rocks. Bowls or sconces made of acorn caps. A seedpod couch. A wall mirror made of a piece of mica. Use thick twigs as beams in the corners or across the ceiling (the underside of the shoe-box top/roof). Wander around outside gathering interesting small things and imagine how a tiny person might make use of them. The cozier and homier your fairy house, the better for your fairies.
Nestle your house in a quiet, rumpled spot in the backyard or tucked behind a pot in the garden. Because fairies need to wash and dry their delicate wings, be sure to provide a little pool for bathing, perhaps made from a shallow saucer, and a nice flat stone for drying in the sun. When you're not looking, of course.
You can also set your fairy house on the sill of an open window, where the fairies can spot it. Hang a garden chime made out of old silverware nearby — fairies love the tinkling sound when the wind blows.
A Whole New Rock
Scientists are always discovering new things in the universe. What if you could "discover" a whole planet and its population? What is your discovery called? Where is this planet in relation to your own? Does it have gravity? What grows there? What are the inhabitants called? Maybe they're not "people," maybe they're "Ackz." What are their common physical features? How do they move or breathe? What do they eat? Can they see, hear, and smell, or do they have other senses we've never heard of? What language do they speak? What do their families consist of? Do they wear clothes?
Once you've thought a bit about these questions, try to fully imagine someone from this planet, perhaps someone just your age. Name him; imagine his family, his home, his history. Does he go to school? Does he have a pet? What is it? You ride a bike — how does he get around his neighborhood? Name and describe his friends.
You can daydream for days about this planet and the beings you invent. Think about keeping a diary of this imaginary world. Write snips of dialogue using bits of alien language they speak. Think of adventures your young boy might have. Draw the planet. Draw a building or a vehicle on that planet. Draw the young boy you imagined. Draw his family. The more detail with which you imagine this planet and its inhabitants, the more real they will become! Go to www.space.com/spacewatch to get ideas about where your planet might be and what it might be called.
Photo-Essay
The photo-essay is a very twentieth-century form of expression that first came into prominence with the launch of Life magazine in 1936. Publisher Henry Luce assembled some of the most talented photographers working at the time to create a magazine where the stories would be told through photographs. Photo-essays uniquely show how life really is composed of small moments and intimate expressions — and give us an opportunity to appreciate them.
What's the Palooza?
Create a photo-essay that tells a story by presenting carefully chosen, unposed photographs. You are the visual storyteller, taking several photos of your subject, from which you select the best, most interesting combination of photos to create your essay. Your subject can be an exciting event, like a space shuttle takeoff, or a historic event, like a big protest rally in Washington, or an ordinary event, like a visit to the dentist. It can be a story of a time and a place, like a day-in-the-life at a roadside fireworks shack on the day before the Fourth of July.
Whatever your subject, try to take photos that are natural, unself-conscious, almost ordinary in their matter-of-factness. You are a quiet observer of the goings-on, catching small moments that will help you tell your story. A photo-essay about your sister's dance performance might begin with a shot of her leaving her house or arriving at the theater. Instead of a perfect posed shot of her in her tutu, you catch her in front of a mirror with bobby pins in her mouth, as she scrambles to pull her hair up into a bun. You might also have a shot from the wings, where you show a calm, bored audience waiting for the performance, in contrast to the chaos backstage or in the wings. At the end, we see our dancer accepting a bouquet of flowers, happily embracing her proud grandmother, or asleep in the car, tutu and all.
Create an essay on a day in the life of someone you know. Other subjects for a photo-essay could be your family vacation, the construction (or demolition!) of a building, a sporting event, the hunt for a perfect Christmas tree, a visit to your big sister at college. It can be anything that bears a thoughtful, close look at the details that make up the whole.
Be sure to have plenty of film available because you'll need to take quite a few photographs to get enough of just the right shots to make up your story. Digital cameras are great, because you know on the spot if you have a good picture, so you don't have to develop a lot of so-sos. But any kind of camera is fine as you explore the art of photographic storytelling.
Once your pictures are developed, spread them out on a table and try to identify the few that vividly indicate what happened. Be on the lookout for little telling details — unexpected expressions on people's faces, subtle body gestures, an odd feature of the physical surroundings. These details are what will make your photos distinctive, and tell more of the story than even words might have.
After you've chosen your photos, mount them in order on cardboard or dry-mount board with glue or spray adhesive. Then title and date your essay. Once you've created a photo-essay, you'll enjoy certain experiences by wondering how you'd tell the story in photos!
Small Time, Big Time
Practice the art of the photo-essay on very small, simple events. An essay on the school flag being raised. Or someone buying an ice cream cone. Or your dad reading the morning newspaper. Shooting these short, uncomplicated events will sharpen your eye for the juicy details of the bigger events you may want to describe in photos.
Board Game
You've probably been playing board games for most of your life without much considering how they are invented and constructed. When you create your own game, you begin to understand what makes a game tick — and fun to play.
What's the Palooza?
Rework or recycle an existing game — or invent something totally new. First, choose a theme, the topic or subject your game is built around. The theme of Clue is murder mystery. The theme of Battleship is naval war strategy. Think of a subject that interests you. Do you like horses? Maybe your game will be a horse-race game, with different breeds and great horse names, racing around the board to the finish line. Maybe you're a history buff — Revolution might be all about heroes and villains and battles of the Revolutionary War.
What's Your Goal?
There are two basic board games. In strategy games like Monopoly, the goal is to gain control of the board by capturing or blocking the opponent's pieces, overpowering the opponent with your pieces, or trapping (and eliminating) your opponent. In race games like Candyland, you start at one point on the board and try to beat your opponent using the same or different paths to a finishing point.
Once you figure this out, you can determine what moves your game along — dice, cards, a spinner, a timer. Or invent your own combination of mechanisms: the player rolls the die and only has a certain amount of time to figure out his options.
Decide how the players will interact with the game. Create identity pieces for each member of your family, either place cards with each of their pictures on them, or pieces that have some connection to the person — a little plastic horse for your sister, a miniature telephone for Mom, a car for Dad. You may design and create cards if your game calls for them — unlined index cards will do the trick.
The Details!
Before you design your board, think about how many people can play. Make enough cards or pieces for more than two players even if you're working on a game for only two players — it will be frustrating later if you try to play your game with more than two people and don't have enough cards and pieces.
What rewards and hazards will make your game interesting, and work with your theme? A piece of gold collected when you land on one square; a spell in the quicksand when you land on another? Are there things that can turn the game upside down or suddenly put someone who was losing in a winning position? Life is filled with surprises — your board game should have some, too!
The Board
Think about how your board will look and work. Maybe you want your board to reflect a route that snakes from one point to another. You might adapt the chessboard design in a clever way. Your board could be round — or 3-D! Maybe you've created a game where the players work their way up and down more than one level.
The point is, the board for a board game can be anything you want it to be. Look at all the boards in your family's game cupboard for ideas, and recycle the boards and pieces for your own game.
To use an old board as the foundation for your board game, cut and glue sturdy paper to fit the old board. Sketch ideas for your board design on another piece of paper, then pencil it out on your actual board. Use markers or crayons to draw the features; you can also use stickers, or even images cut out from magazines — imagine a basketball board game with the squares decorated with Sports Illustrated-style pictures of your favorite professional players.
The Name of the Game
Good games always have names that are either entertaining and vaguely descriptive (Pictionary, Smart Mouth, Boggle) or use a word that's part of the vocabulary of the game (Uno!).
If you've created a game where every square on the board is a famous painting, the game might be called simply Museum. That horse-race game? Maybe it's called By a Nose.
Remember that your game is a work in progress that you can test and refine and change as much as you like. The only way to see if your game is working is to play it — a lot.
New Old Games
If you're more of a reinventor than an inventor, try to put a twist on a game that already exists. Make your own deck of cards with photos of friends and family — even pets! — standing in for the usual king, queen, jack, and ace of the standard deck of playing cards. Make your own chess pieces out of Sculpey. Or use small plastic figures in place of the usual chess personnel — a mixed squad of plastic dinosaurs or army men would work. Make a mancala game out of old buttons. Or make your Monopoly game local — change the standard streets and landmarks to streets and landmarks from your own town!
Box It Up
To create a box for your game, use a sturdy, plain gift box you can design and decorate. If your game is an odd size, you can buy non-standard-sized plain gift boxes at paper goods stores. Create a logo for your game that appears on the box. Draw scenes from your game to "market" the appeal. That safari game might have a giant snapping crocodile featured on the box. Mark the name of the game on all sides of the lid, so you can tell what it is in a stack of games. Store pieces and/or cards in small, reclosable plastic bags. And make sure to include the directions and rules, either on a card (laminate it if you can, because it will get a lot of use!) or written on the inside of the lid. Make your directions simple and clear. Explain the game step by step, in logical order, being very precise with the words you choose. If you're sloppy with the language in the rules and directions, arguments are sure to happen! Test the rules on your friends and family to be sure they are easily understood. And don't forget to include a list of materials or parts of the game at the beginning of your directions, so the players know what they should be playing with.
Actors often use a technique called sense memory when they want to re-create the sensory impression of a particular experience in their acting. The idea, as practiced and encouraged by legendary director and acting coach Lee Strasberg among others, is to take note of what you experience in everyday life by using all five senses and to commit those impressions to memory. This palooza is a bit of a twist on Strasberg's sense memory exercises and Blindman's Bluff.
What's the Palooza?
Explore the idea of trusting your senses and developing your sense memory.
Trust Walk (Ages 6-12)
One player is blindfolded and then led around a familiar room or area by another player, "observing" objects and spaces in the room with all available senses. Before tying on the blindfold, have the trust walker take in the room by sight. If it's the player's bedroom, look at the objects on the desk and bookshelves. What's on top of the bureau? Where are the windows, closet doors, toys, and other belongings? Tie the blindfold on and through a combination of both leading the player to an object and simply placing objects in hand, have the player make guesses as to what he is touching. Challenge the player to search the objects for clues that engage his memory. For instance, you put a book in the player's hands. That's easy, it's a book. But which book is it? The player has to think about the book in his hand — is it hardcover and heavy or paperback and small? The player also has to think about which books are in his room. When he feels the book carefully for details, he notices a dog-ear at the bottom corner of the cover. Oh! That's Wringer, which he fell asleep reading last night, causing the bend in the cover.
Move the game to another area that the player has not had any time to "take in" beforehand. Is there a noticeable difference in the number of objects the player is able to identify? Use other senses besides touch. Are there objects that can be identified by smell or sound? Finally, extend the trust walk throughout the remainder of the house or even out of doors. Can he guess where he is? Can he identify objects, sounds, and smell? Reverse the player and leader roles. Talk about the idea of trusting your senses. How about trusting your leader? When you remove the blindfold you will realize more fully and appreciate all over again the colors, sizes, and shapes of the things around you, and your attention to the details in your surroundings will be sharpened.
Sense Memorizing (Ages 9-12)
Think about what happens when you're really hungry and someone mentions your favorite food. Your mouth might start to water because you have a vivid memory of how that food tastes. You have a sense memory for your favorite food, and your mouth is responding to that memory. Actors use sense memory to create realities in their scenes, training their senses to be heightened and aware so that when they are called upon to be or do a certain thing as part of a role, they are able to make it believable. The idea is that if the actor believes what he's doing on the stage is real, the audience will also believe it is real.
Whatever you're doing right now, decide to notice and "memorize" as many fleeting sense experiences as you can. A car passes by. You put your elbow down on the table. The phone rings. You take a bite of an apple. After you experience the real sensation, try to re-create what it felt like again a moment later. Can you close your eyes and re-create the feelings of the following situations using your sense memory?
Jumping into a swimming pool
Making a snowball without your gloves
Lying on the beach in the sun
Picking up a glass of ice water
Sipping ice water
Blindman's Bluff (the original, suitable for all ages)
Stand in a circle. One player gets to be the blind man first and stands in the middle of the circle, blindfolded. The blind man is gently spun around three times and let go to walk toward the other players. Upon reaching a player in the circle, the blind man tries to guess who it is by feeling the other player's face, hair, clothes, and so on. Guess correctly, and you're no longer the blind man. Switch places with the player you've identified. Play continues until everyone has had a turn at being the blind man.
On a Roll
Papier de toilette. Carta igienica. Toilettenpapier. Papel de tocador. Toilet paper by any other name is still just toilet paper. And you probably have plenty of it at home. If not, well, ahem, you might want to go out and get some, especially for this palooza.
What's the Palooza?
Invite the humble roll of toilet paper to come out and play. The wildly popular performance artists, Blue Man Group, have a rousing finale to their show that involves toilet paper. I don't want to spoil the experience for those of you who've never seen them perform, but I can tell you at least this much: the piece involves seemingly endless streams of toilet paper and lots of audience participation. And it puts a big grin on your face. This palooza celebrates T.P. and promotes an entire afternoon's worth (or better yet, a sleepover party's worth) of toilet-paper-themed activity. You can play this palooza alone, with a parent or sibling, or with three or four others in a small group. One small but important piece of advice: dispose of the paper in the garbage, don't flush it — no one wants to gum up the works with too much papier!
Toilet Paper Wrap Art Ages (9-12)
Christo and Jeanne-Claude are artists famous for wrapping familiar objects in fabric to create sculpture that draws our attention to the objects in a new way. They started out in the 1960s wrapping small things — bottles, cans, packages, doorways — and moved on to much bigger things. They wrapped one of the famous bridges in Paris, the Pont Neuf, in woven nylon and rope (The Pont Neuf Wrapped, Paris, 1985). They wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin (Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, 1971-1995). They wrapped trees with fabric and twine in Switzerland (Wrapped Trees, Project for the Foundation Beyeler, Collage, 1997). One gets the feeling that Christo and Jeanne-Claude view everything they see in the world in terms of how it might be wrapped!
Use toilet paper to create your own wrapped art à la Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Look for objects of unusual shapes and sizes to wrap. Wrap a table lamp (unplugged, of course). Wrap the television set (do this on TV Free week?). Wrap old toys or your bike. Try to wrap objects in different ways. Wrap tightly, swathe loosely, drape. Soon you will understand what intrigues Christo — when an object is wrapped, how is it then perceived, on its own and in relation to what's around it? Does it seem to you to lose definition or to gain new qualities that you are seeing for the first time?
You can also do a human wrap, which Christo did with his 1962 Wrapping a Girl in London. Arrange someone in a pose and then wrap him with toilet paper. You see the human form in a different way when you hide the obvious details. You begin to appreciate the shape and the scale of the human body. Take photos of your creations. Create names for your wrapped artworks. Display them. See www.christojeanneclaude.net for pictures and descriptions of the works of Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
The Toilet Paper Web (Ages 6-12)
Players stand in a circle as far apart as the room allows. One player starts by holding on to the first couple of sheets of toilet paper and tossing the rest of the roll across the circle to another player. The second player catches the roll and, careful not to break apart the toilet-paper streamer, holds on to the end sheets before tossing the roll on to a third receiver. Play continues with the roll being tossed across the circle from player to player without breaking the stream, creating a web of toilet paper. Once the roll is completely used, play continues with yet more rolls of toilet paper, or, if the web is sufficiently big and strong, it becomes a kind of parachute. Raise the web parachute up and down, walk or skip around in a circle holding on to it, toss lightweight toys or objects into it — a ball, comb, a small stuffed animal — and toss them up and down. Raise the web up high. Let go of it and let it fall on top of everyone. Or raise it up and take turns running underneath it, changing places in the circle with another player. When ready to dismantle, see how many objects you can toss into the middle of the web before it breaks.
Toilette Couture (Ages 9-12)
Paper dresses were a huge fad in the 1960s. The Scott Paper Co. is actually credited with making the first paper dress in 1966 as a promotional item for its "Color Explosion" toilet paper and paper towels. Design and make toilet-paper dresses. Ball gowns. Miniskirts. Tight, Dietrichesque dresses impossible to walk in. Make accessories, like neckties, turbans, jewelry, shoes, scarves, belts, aprons. Have a fashion show. Or stage a photo shoot, as if creating a fashion spread for a magazine.
Invent-a-Saurus
Mix a fascination with wildlife, natural history, dinosaurs, and other creatures with the challenge of concocting your own imaginary animals and you get a palooza worthy of Michael Crichton.
What's the Palooza?
Invent your own land before (or after?) time. Create your own creatures and draw them, label them, categorize them, write a field guide for them. Cross dinosaurs you know (triceratops, tyrannosaurus, stegosaurus, brontosaurus) with other animal categories (mammals, reptiles, rodents, crustaceans, birds, fish) and see what you get. Have dinosaur picture books on hand as references, as well as an illustrated animal encyclopedia. Make lists of favorite dinosaurs and favorite animals and start making imaginative combinations that are fun to illustrate.
Take the Chinese menu approach and choose from different columns:
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E
f0 Brachiosaurus Elephant Ostrich Crocodile Angelfish
Diplodocus Rhinoceros Owl Gecko Blowfish
Iguanodon Tiger Parrot Lizard Eagle ray
Stegosaurus Whale Swan Snake Jellyfish
Triceratops Zebra Turkey Tortoise Seahorse
Mix and match the dinosaurs and animals to invent fantastical species. Stegojelly. Tricerasnake. Iguanoturkey. What would these dinorific animals look like? Are they big? Miniature? Outline the creations first in pencil, getting the basic shape down on paper. Then fill in detail. Is it scaly or smooth-skinned? Muscular? Does it have hair? Or feathers? If it has wings, can they flap? What do the teeth look like? Check out illustrator Robert Jew's Lizard Head, a painting of an iguana so realistic you can see every bump on the lizard's skin (www.aca demic.rccd.cc.ca.us/~art/jew.htm). Think about your invent-a-saurus's features in this kind of up-close-and-personal detail.
When your drawing is complete, go over your pencil marks with markers, crayons, or colored pencils. Because no one really knows what color dinosaurs were, you can use any color or combination of colors you can imagine. Play with stripes, spots, or swirls. Use fluorescent colors or crayons with shimmers and sparkles. In his painting The Yellow Cow, artist Franz Marc uses brilliant, dreamlike colors to get us to look at the familiar cow in a new way. Pull out all the stops on color and patterns as you create your finished work.
Home Sweet Home
Imagine your creature's habitat and then create it. Is it a jungle? A desert? A woodland? Maybe it's a city with tall buildings and buses and elevated trains! What's the weather like? What does the vegetation look like? Is it marshy? What kinds of plants?
You can draw the environment to scale on a large piece of paper, then cut out your creature drawings and place them in their habitat. Better yet, create a natural-history-style 3-D diorama environment for your 'saurus. Get a big shoe box or other box and turn it on its side. Paint a background and foreground. Glue on bits of moss for groundcover or cotton balls for clouds. Use twigs or stones from outside to make your environment realistic. Then arrange your cutout creature inside this lifelike environment. Make up stories about the creature. Does he roam in herds like the iguanodon? Or is he a lone ranger like T-rex? Is he a predator? Herbivore? Does he swim? Fly? What if humans entered the picture? Have your creature interact with other creatures you invent in his natural habitat.
Field Guide
Use a school composition notebook to make a field guide of your own for your invent-a-saurus creations. Draw and label your creatures in the pages of the notebook, or make pockets inside the notebook to house the creatures you've drawn and cut out with scissors. Make notes in the field guide about the creatures' feeding patterns, mating habits, herding instincts, and defense mechanisms. Note color and size differences between males and females.
Starry Night
This palooza directs our gaze to the sky in search of the art and poetry there.
What's the Palooza?
Explore the nighttime sky and find the art in the stars. Translate what you see into images and words.
Take a look at Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night on www.vangoghgallery.com. This famous painting isn't an exact representation of the stars, but an expression of how they made van Gogh feel. It's a swirling tempest of a nighttime sky. Look at other van Goghs, like Starry Night over the Rhone or Road with Cypress and Star. What did he see when he looked at the night sky that took this distinctive form in his paintings? What do you see in the stars?
Start with a little stargazing. Choose a good viewing place and time: a clear night far from a city. If you live in a city, save this palooza for when you're on vacation, or hop in the car and drive to where the city glow won't disturb your view.
Turn off all yard lights and inside lights, then go outside with a pair of binoculars. Let your eyes get used to the dark while you're setting up — it can take up to ten minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness. Spread a blanket on the ground, lie down on your back, and look up.
You've seen stars so often that you stop noticing them. Try now to really look at them. Let the sky full of stars wash over you and surround you. Think about the stars in relation to your five senses. What do they look like to you? Jewels? Pinpricks of light? Observe how they're grouped, how they shine. Note the words that come to mind about what you're seeing.
If stars were music, what would it sound like? Something light and tinkly, from the high end of the piano? Or complex and dramatic, a symphony of sound? Do stars have a scent? Have you ever tasted anything that reminds you of stars? If you could reach up and touch the stars, what would they feel like? When you get back inside, jot down any impressions you had while looking at the stars and any words that describe them. Think about colors, shapes, sounds, tastes, textures; use nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs.
Now, follow in van Gogh's footsteps and draw or paint a picture of the stars. Use the words you wrote down to decide what you'd like to express about the stars. You can use any colors and put the stars in any context. Perhaps when you think of the stars, you don't see a big sky filled with millions of tiny lights, but instead you imagine stars reflected in your own eyes. Maybe you'll paint only one star — the brightest, or the one that most held your attention. Create a series of pictures, exploring different perspectives and forms, using different media, and hang them all together as a portrait of the stars.
Try writing some poetry about the stars. Start with a simple haiku, a nonrhyming poem that has three lines and seventeen syllables. The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables, and there are five syllables in the third. Look at your star word notes and see if there are some that seem to connect well. For example,
Bright stars glimmering
Against the dark sky at night
Are smiling at me.
Now play with what you've written to explore your impression in another way:
Bright lights simmering
In a dark pot of star soup
Want to lick the spoon?
The Ultimate Game of Connect-the-Dots
Constellations are groups of stars that appear to form a recognizable pattern. Go to www.skymaps.com to download a free map of this month's sky. Search for the constellations that are best seen during this month. Once you get the hang of finding the constellations, make up your own.
Go stargazing and let your imagination run wild. Does that group of stars look like a rose? Another group might look like a buffalo. Now, name your constellation. Name it after yourself — Rachel's Ring or Heather's Hat. Or give it a more poetic name, like Flower with Wilting Leaves or Erupting Volcano. Sketch your constellations and make a guide to your night sky.
Star Mythology
People have looked at stars and made up stories and legends about stars for thousands of years. Some myths use the stars to explain things on Earth; others try to explain how the stars got up into the sky in the first place. Ancient Babylonian mythology described stars suspended on strings that were pulled up in the daytime and let down at night.
According to Navajo myth, the stars came to be scattered across the sky when First Woman carefully took jewels (stars) from a blanket and arranged them in the sky to spell out the laws for the people. Coyote offered to help her, but soon became frustrated with the enormity of the job. Coyote tossed the remaining stars into the sky, destroying First Woman's message and throwing the world into chaos.
Make up your own myth about the stars. Tell stories using the constellations that you invented. Maybe the myth about your Rocking Chair constellation explains how it was put in the sky for weary space travelers to sit on in while in space. Or tell a fantastic story about how the stars came to be in the sky. Your story can be as offbeat or unusual as you want it to be.
This ancient horse race is run every summer in Siena, Italy — oh, the wild mix of history and loyalty and passion and color! Every bit of cunning and sneakery is at work, which is what makes it a perfect palooza — a contest of creativity and wit and will.
What's the Palooza?
Create a feverish contest between immediate family members, relatives within an extended family, or families in your neighborhood. The Palio, or "the banner," has been run every summer since the 1200s in Siena, Italy, a hilly city surrounded by walls and towers meant to protect it from the brutal attacks of enemy republics. Who knew that the battle inside the walls was the one to watch? The Palio is a horse race that is run among the city's official neighborhoods, or contrade, and it is a spectacle beyond belief. Every neighborhood has a symbol (the Ram or the Unicorn or the Eagle, for example), and everyone who lives in that neighborhood devotes all their intelligence and energy into fielding a capable horse and jockey for this annual race through the town's Piazza del Campo, on a rough dirt track, with rubbery rules that allow for last-second trickery and treachery. What fun!
Teams. Start by designating teams. If you're a small family, maybe each member of the family is a team and can invite a friend from outside the family to join him. Or you can pair up within the family, or have entire families be single teams. Choose a symbol for your team that represents the strength or virtue you'd like to stand for. You can use the Italian symbols for inspiration or make up your own: A lion, for strength and valor. A rabbit, for speed and agility. A pyramid, for mystery and longevity. Choose team colors and create a logo for your team with markers on butcher paper. This will be your team flag and the image that appears on any other team or fan paraphernalia you want to create — T-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, bobble heads. Write a team motto!
Palio Maestro. One adult has to be the conductor of this little orchestra we call Palio. He collects ideas for the games from all the teams, creates the games (maps out races, devises rules, writes questions, and so on), then conducts the games. And after all that hard work, he is then treated royally at the Palio Gala. A fun-loving uncle, grandma, or family friend would be ideal for this job.
Banner. Decorate a pillowcase or a plain piece of fabric with each team's logo to create the winner's banner for the Palio. Use paint and scraps of fabric; incorporate logos with other colorful patterns. Get fancy! This is the fiercely fought for, much-coveted prize.
Food. Each team chooses a recipe for their signature dish. It can be themed, like a carrot cake or carrot casserole for the Rabbit team. Or it can be just a distinctive dish for which the team will be known. Each team should prepare their recipe to serve at the Palio Gala at the end of the contests.
Contests. Create a series of four or five games that are a mix of contests of physical skill, knowledge, and resourcefulness. A relay race that snakes a crazy route through your neighborhood — with a banana for a baton. A tricky combination of a spelling bee and trivia quiz. A persnickety scavenger hunt for items involving the five senses — and all beginning with the letter "P." A complicated game of international hopscotch. Assign each contest a certain number of points to be distributed among the teams. For instance, a the winner of a 20-point contest might receive 10 points, second place gets 5 points, third place gets 3, and last place gets 2. And make sure your games take into account the variety of ages of players a trivia/spelling challenge for an adult, for example, would be more difficult than for a nine-year-old. Take the time to create games that are clever and surprising — or just plain nutty. After all the games are played and points tallied, a winner is declared.
Palio Gala. After the winning team proudly takes possession of the banner, all teams retire to the Palio Gala, where each team's special food is served. Turn this into a festive banquet. Decorate the table with each team's colors and logo. Serve fizzy punch and Day-Glo desserts. Good music is a must. Take pictures of the winning team with the banner for your Palio scrapbook, where you'll also stow photos and details of the annual Palio.
Copyright © 2004 by John Lithgow
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Table of Contents
Chapter One: The Big Paloozas
Adopt-a-Soup Can
Junk Garden
It's About Time
Left-Hand Man
Imaginary World
Photo-Essay
Board Game
On a Roll
Invent-a-Saurus
Starry Night
Chapter Two: Performance Paloozas
Tableaux Vivants
Canned Film Festival
Animal House
Mask Theater
Chapter Three: Word Paloozas
Author, Author
Poetry Slam
Secret Language
Read-Aloud Marathon
Word Collage
What's Your Story?
Stranger Stories
Chapter Four: Music Paloozas
Found Sound
Air Guitar Star
One-Man Band
Figaro! Figaro!
Can You Kazoo?
Chapter Five: Dance Paloozas
Body Parts
Walk Like an Egyptian
Tango Fandango
Once Upon a Ballet
Hoofin' It
Chapter Six: Art Paloozas
Carton Architecture
Still Life
Museum Hunt
Be a Pollack
Self-Portrait
Art Gallery
Georgia O'Keeffe
Color Concentration
Chapter Seven: Holiday Paloozas
Holiday Ad Hoc
Celebrate This!
Nutty Nutcrackers
Washington Irving Halloween
My Funny Valentine
Tell Me a Holiday Story
April Fool
New Year's Fortune Cookies
Chapter Eight: Birthday Paloozas
Dig It!
Clowning Around
Wiffle Ball Championship
Ytrap Drawkcab (Backward Party)
Paper Chase
Film Buffoons
Trip to Mars
Knights of the Round Table
Chapter Nine: Vacation Paloozas
Sunset Watch
At the Beach
Travel Brochure
Hands-On Adventure
Gates of Heaven
Drive Time
The Waiting Game
Table Time
Chapter Ten: Animal Paloozas
Animal Talk
Cat Yoga
A-Maze Me
Bird Theater
Chapter Eleven: Food Paloozas
Literary Dish
Mama Mia
Iron Chef
At the Table
A Monk's Supper
Tidy Time
Spoon Lick
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How much does it cost to fix cracked car paint?
The cost of fixing cracked car paint can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the job. Generally speaking, the average cost of repair is anywhere between $500 and $1,500.
To get a better idea of the specific cost of repair, it’s best to take your car to a professional body shop and speak with them directly. When you take your car in for an estimate, they’ll be able to assess the size and complexity of the job, and provide you with a more accurate quote.
Other factors such as the type of paint and the part of the vehicle that needs repairing can also affect the total cost. For instance, highly visible panels such as the hood, doors, or bumpers generally require more time to repair than metal panels or trim.
Additionally, a job that requires color matching may be more expensive than using generic, pre-mixed paint.
In some cases, if the crack is small enough, it’s possible to have it repaired without repainting the entire car. This type of job will likely incur a lower cost. However, it’s still best to speak with a professional to determine if this is an option for your particular car.
No matter what type of repair your car needs, consider getting it done as soon as possible. Unrepaired car paint can worsen over time, which may result in more costly repairs down the road.
How do you paint over cracked car paint?
Painting over cracked car paint can be a bit tricky, but it can be done. First, you’ll need to clean and sand the area that has the cracked paint. Without a clean area to start with, the paint will not adhere properly.
Use soap and water and a microfiber cloth to clean the area, then use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the area. You do not need to remove all paint layers, just de-gloss and smooth it out. After you’ve done this, make sure to clean any contaminants, residue, and dust from the area.
Next, you will need to use a self-etching primer. Apply this directly to the area with the cracked paint and let it dry completely. This primer will help the new paint adhere more easily.
Once the primer has dried, you’ll need to apply a base coat. To do this, you will need a paint spray can and a flexed-finish clear-coat. Apply the base coat to the primed area until it covers the full surface and allows time for it to dry.
Once the base coat is dry, you can then apply the flexed-finish clear-coat over it to protect the base coat from dirt and other elements. The flexed-finish will also help prevent any future cracking.
Apply the clear-coat in a light, even spray and make sure it covers the entire area.
Finally, allow the paint to dry and you are ready to go. When it is dry, you may want to check the area for any irregularities, and then you can finish with a polishing compound and wax to give the paint a professional shine.
Following these steps will help to ensure your car is looking its best!.
What causes auto paint to crack?
Cracking in auto paint is primarily caused by environmental conditions and wear and tear. Changes in temperature and humidity can cause the paint surface to expand and contract. Over time, these changes result in the paint cracking or chipping away from the surface.
Exposure to UV radiation can also cause some paints to become brittle and increase the likelihood of cracking. Additionally, if the car is frequently driven on rough terrain, the paint will be more prone to cracking due to the frequent shaking.
Why does my spray paint look cracked?
Cracking in spray paint can be caused by a variety of factors, including temperature, humidity, shake time, and application technique. If the temperature and humidity are too high, the solvents in the paint can cause it to dry too quickly, resulting in cracking.
Additionally, if you don’t shake the can long enough to properly mix the paint, the uneven mixing can cause the paint to expand and crack as it dries. Similarly, if the paint is applied too thickly, a greater degree of shrinkage is likely to occur as the paint dries which can also lead to cracking.
Lastly, the use of a primer or sealer prior to painting can cause cracking if it is incompatible with the paint. Making sure to use the recommended topcoat and primer, and ensuring the proper shake and temperature and humidity during application can help reduce the likelihood of cracking paint.
Can you fix cracked paint on a car?
Yes, it is possible to fix cracked paint on a car. The actual repair process will depend on the severity of the crack in the paint, as well as the type of paint. Generally, the process involves sanding down the damaged area to even it out and remove any imperfections.
Then a primer is applied to the area and allowed to dry. After the primer is dry, paint that matches the color of the car is applied. Finally, a clear coat is added over the new paint to seal it and protect it from weathering and other damage.
Depending on the location, it’s possible to do this repair yourself, but it’s often best to have a professional apply the paint and inspect the color match.
Why is car paint repair so expensive?
Car paint repair can be expensive due to the labour and skill involved and because of the parts used in the repair. The cost of the repair is mainly determined by the extent and complexity of the damage, with scratches and minor paint chips requiring minimal preparation, whereas major dents and dings requiring a more thorough repair.
Additionally, the quality of the paint used, the type of primer, and the application of the paint must all be taken into consideration when determining the cost of the repair.
The cost of a car paint repair may also be higher if the person or business performing the repair is using a high-quality paint and taking extra steps to ensure the colour matches properly and the finish is top-notch.
Professional auto bodies may use specialized equipment to mix and adjust the colour of the paint before applying it, resulting in time-consuming and costly procedures. Finally, the part of the country and the shop where the repair is being done may also influence the final cost of the repair.
Is it cheaper to get a car painted or wrapped?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors. Paint jobs typically cost more than vehicle wraps, but for many people the cost of the project is only part of the equation. Depending on the condition of the vehicle, the extent of the project, and the materials chosen, the final cost of either job may be lower than the other.
A basic, single-color paint job on a car in good condition may cost around $1000 or less, while a high-quality, custom-designed full wrap can cost around $3000 or more. Intermediary paint jobs, including full coverage wraps, can range from $2000 to $4000, so it’s important to get quotes from different professionals to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Wraps also typically last longer than paint jobs. Wraps typically last from five to 10 years, while a car’s paint job might have to be redone after four or five years to keep the car looking nice. Many wraps come with warranties, which often require professional removal before reapplication.
Finally, consider the value that the final product adds to your vehicle. Many vinyl wraps offer textured, high-gloss finishes that could cost thousands more in a professional paint job. There are also a variety of unique designs that can be applied to vehicle wraps, from matte black to colorful graphics.
Paint jobs offer access to hundreds of paint colors, but wraps can offer more customizability.
To summarize, both wraps and paint jobs can be cost-effective solutions if you consider the cost of labor, materials, and the length of time the project will last. It’s best to contact a few professionals to compare quotes and decide which is the more cost-effective option for your needs.
How do you fix paint damage on a car?
Fixing paint damage on a car can depend on the severity of the damage, but typically the repair process begins with thoroughly washing and drying the area. If rust is present, it should be removed with a wire brush, followed by the application of a rust-inhibiting primer.
Once the rust is addressed, putty can be used to fill any scratches or chips in the paint. Once dry, the surface should be sanded with a medium-grit sandpaper to remove any bumps or imperfections. If needed, a second coat of primer can be applied to help smooth the surface before the painting process begins.
When the primer is dry, a coat of automotive paint should be applied with a spray gun. Automotive paints are available in a variety of colors and finishes and should be chosen to best match the original paint job.
If complete coverage is achieved with one coat, a clear topcoat with a glossy finish may be applied. If complete coverage is not attained with one coat, additional coats may be necessary.
Once the paint has been applied and allowed to dry, a good quality car wax should be applied to seal and protect the new paint job. This should help to ensure that the paint damage is properly repaired and prevent it from occurring again in the future.
Does repainting a car devalue it?
Whether or not repainting a car will devalue it will depend on several factors. For example, if the car is painted a more uncommon color, the value may go down because of a lack of demand. Additionally, if the car is repainted in a way that isn’t done professionally, the value of the car could suffer because any imperfections will be more noticeable.
It’s important to keep in mind that if the car is already in bad condition, it can be beneficial to have it repainted. Repainting a car can make it look much better and will likely bring up the value since it can make the car look almost new again.
Generally speaking, repainting a car isn’t likely to drastically decrease its value as long as it isn’t done in an overly unique color, the car wasn’t in poor condition before, and the job is done professionally.
In some cases, the car can actually be worth more after the paint job than it was before.
How much does a dent repair cost with paint?
The cost of a dent repair with paint typically depends on a variety of factors, such as the size and location of the dent, the type of paint and vehicle that needs repairing, and the complexity of the work.
Generally, repairs such as smaller dents and scratches can be fixed for around $50 to $150. However, for more extensive damage such as large dents and more extensive paint repairs, the cost can range from $150 to $500 or more.
In addition, certain vehicles may require more expensive parts and materials due to their size or difficulty of the repair. Therefore, it is always best to consult with a local repair shop to get an estimate on the total cost of the repair.
What to add to paint to prevent cracking?
When painting, it is important to use the proper materials in order to get a long-lasting, durable finish. One way to prevent cracks from appearing in your paint job is to add a gloss or semi-gloss topcoat.
These topcoats provide protection from the elements, making them highly resistant to cracking, peeling, and UV damage. Additionally, there are additives that you can add to paint specifically designed to prevent cracking.
These additives are often specially formulated for different types of surfaces and environments, so it’s important to check labels carefully before purchasing. Finally, it’s important to use a high-quality primer before applying your paint to ensure that the paint adheres to the surface properly and that you don’t have any gaps or weak points that can cause cracks in the paint.
What does crazing look like on a painting?
Crazing on a painting appears as a network of very fine cracks in the surface of the paint, typically appearing as a web-like pattern. It often looks very similar to the glaze of a ceramic object. Depending on how it was caused, crazing can range in hue from white to black, but will typically have a slightly darker look than the rest of the painting and may appear glossy.
Crazing is caused by a number of factors, such as fluctuations in humidity, improper layering of paint, incompatible solvents in the paint, and overworking the painting surface. Over time, the cracks can become larger, and the crazing can become even more visible.
If left untreated, it can spread to additional areas of the painting, potentially degrading its appearance and value.
How do you stop crazing?
Crazing is the formation of fine cracks on the surface of ceramic, glass, or plastic materials, which can cause the material to weaken over time. In order to prevent or reduce crazing, the material must be cooled after firing or formation.
Additionally, materials that are prone to crazing may benefit from a slow cooling process, as this allows the microstructure of the material to relax, which reduces the likelihood of crazing.
Using a kiln with an even heat distribution and avoiding sudden temperature changes can help reduce crazing. Also, a higher fired ware temperature or lower cooling rate can reduce the chances of crazing.
Similarly, a glaze recipe with a higher percentage of fluxing agents may help reduce crazing, as high-flux glazes tend to expand more slowly than low-flux glazes.
It’s important to note that different materials have different thermal expansion coefficients and react differently to heating and cooling, so the best ways of reducing crazing will depend on the specific material.
For this reason, it’s best to refer to specific material guidelines and test to determine the best approach to reduce crazing.
What is it called when paint cracks?
When paint begins to crack, it’s known as “craquelure”. This cracking of the paint surface is often the result of age and is characterized by fine lines that can appear in a grid pattern or fan out in spider web-like cracks.
It’s caused by the naturally-occurring expansion and contraction of the paint, which can be accelerated by a variety of factors such as extreme temperatures, sunlight or moisture. Depending on the severity of the cracking, a repair may not be necessary, however it is important to identify and address the underlying cause to prevent further damage.
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sewing machines under 5000
The sewing machines under 5000 of 2024: A Comprehensive Guide. Selecting the most appropriate sewing equipment may transform your designing experience, whether you’re a starter or an experienced sewist. With advancements in technology and an array of options available, choosing the perfect unit designed to your preferences could be overwhelming. That information features some of the best sewing machines under 5000 of 2024, giving insights within their functions, advantages, and possible drawbacks.
More Details Click Here
sewing machines under 5000
### 1. **Brother CS6000i Sewing and Quilting Machine**
The Brother CS6000i is a very flexible sewing equipment that excels in equally sewing and quilting tasks. It is made with features that focus on beginners and intermediate sewists, rendering it a well known selection for these buying a well-rounded, user-friendly machine.
**Key Characteristics:**
– **60 Integral Stitches:** Provides a wide selection of stitches, including energy, decorative, and quilting stitches, which provide freedom for different types of projects.
– **Automatic Needle Threader:** This function makes threading the hook easy, reducing vision strain and saving time.
– **Adjustable Stitch Length and Thickness:** Allows consumers to modify sew controls according for their task wants, improving the machine’s versatility.
– **LCD Monitor:** The large, easy-to-read monitor simplifies stitch variety and customization, making it simple to navigate through various settings.
– **Wide Dining table:** Includes a detachable wide dining table that provides extra room for bigger tasks like quilts or big home décor items.
– **Free Supply Capacity:** The machine’s free supply feature is fantastic for sewing sleeves, cuffs, and different tubular products with ease.
– **User-Friendly:** Its instinctive program and automatic characteristics make it accessible for beginners while however giving enough versatility for more experienced users.
– **Portability:** Light style enables for quick transportation and storage.
– **Affordable:** Provides a effective pair of functions at a aggressive cost, providing excellent price for money.
– **Versatile:** Suited to a variety of sewing tasks, from simple repairs to more complicated quilting projects.
– **Limited Sophisticated Features:** While well-equipped for a number of jobs, it lacks a few of the more complex characteristics present in higher-end designs, such as for example extensive embroidery capabilities.
– **Plastic Construction:** Some components are made of plastic, which can not be as resilient as metal areas in more expensive machines.
**Best For sewing machines reviews :**
The Brother CS6000i is fantastic for:
– **Beginners:** Its user-friendly features and straightforward regulates ensure it is great for these a new comer to sewing.
– **Intermediate Sewists:** Provides enough versatility for people that have some sewing experience seeking to develop their skills, particularly in quilting.
– **Hobbyists:** Those that require a trusted equipment for numerous tasks with out a significant price tag.
The Brother CS6000i sticks out as a adaptable, easy-to-use machine that offers great price for a range of sewing and quilting tasks. Their mixture of functions makes it a solid choice for anyone seeking to attempt or carry on their sewing journey.
**Best sewing machines under 5000 Overview:**
The Brother CS6000i is just a functional and economical option that provides equally beginners and advanced sewists. Their user-friendly characteristics ensure it is a high choice for a number of sewing and quilting tasks.
**Key Features:**
– **60 Built-in Stitches:** Involves energy, ornamental, and quilting stitches.
– **Automatic Hook Threader:** Simplifies the threading process.
– **Adjustable Stitch Length and Thickness:** Enables modification for various projects.
– **LCD Monitor:** Simple navigation and sew selection.
– Affordable and feature-rich
– Lightweight and portable
– Large desk included for greater jobs
– Limited sophisticated functions
– Plastic parts may possibly not be as tough
**Best For:** Beginners and these seeking a functional device for everyday sewing and quilting tasks.
### 2. **Singer Major Duty 4423 Sewing Machine**
The Singer Major Duty 4423 is distinguished for its durability and energy, making it suitable for customers who usually work with major materials or numerous layers.
**Key Features:**
– **23 Integrated Stitches:** Presents a variety of basic and ornamental stitches.
– **High-Speed Sewing :** Capable as high as 1,100 stitches per minute.
– **Stainless Metal Bedplate:** Assures smooth fabric feeding.
– **Heavy Work Metal Figure:** Offers security and long-lasting performance.
– Exceptional for sewing thick textiles like denim and leather
– Fast stitching pace
– Sturdy structure
– Standard functionality may not satisfy advanced customers
– May be noisy throughout function
**Best For:** Sewists who need a heavy-duty unit for hard textiles and high-speed sewing.
### 3. **Janome 7318 Sewing Machine**
The Janome 7318 is a straightforward technical sewing equipment that delivers consistency and simplicity, rendering it a great choice for people who prefer handbook operation.
**Key Functions:**
– **18 Integral Stitches:** Contains necessary stitches for different projects.
– **4-Step Buttonhole:** Easy process for producing buttonholes.
– **Drop Supply Mechanism:** Facilitates free-motion quilting and embroidery.
– **Adjustable Sew Period and Size:** Personalized adjustments for various tasks.
– Easy to use and keep
– Stable quality
– Affordable value
– Restricted sew choices
– No intelligent needle threader
**Best For:** Novices or those that need a trusted, no-frills device for simple sewing tasks.
### 4. **Bernina 770 QE Sewing Machine**
The Bernina 770 QE is a premium device designed for sophisticated sewists and quilters. It provides excellent construction and sophisticated features, rendering it perfect for complex projects.
**Key Characteristics:**
– **Scarlett 9** Integrated Stitches:** Includes a wide selection of stitches and embroidery options.
– **Dual Give Process:** Guarantees actually cloth feeding for quilting.
– **Large Sewing Place:** Offers sufficient place for big projects.
– **High-Resolution Touchscreen:** User-friendly interface for quick operation.
– Superior construction and longevity
– Sophisticated quilting and embroidery features
– Ample sewing area
– Large cost point
– Complicated for novices
**Best For:** Advanced consumers and professionals who need top-tier characteristics for intensive sewing and quilting projects.
### 5. **Juki HZL-F600 Advanced Sewing Machine**
The Juki HZL-F600 is just a high-performance digital sewing device noted for their usefulness and sophisticated capabilities. It’s suited to a wide selection of sewing responsibilities, including professional-grade work.
**Key Functions:**
– **225 Integral Stitches:** Extensive collection of stitches, including decorative and power options.
– **Automatic Needle Threader:** Simplifies the threading process.
– **Drop Supply for Free Activity Sewing :** Perfect for quilting and embroidery.
– **Large LCD Monitor:** Facilitates simple navigation and sew selection.
– Adaptable and feature-rich
– Smooth operation and skilled quality
– High sewing rate
– Might have an understanding bend for new consumers
**Best For:** Skilled sewists and people who need a high-performance device for a number of sewing tasks.
**Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Equipment Review**
The Brother SE1900 is really a functional sewing and embroidery equipment designed for equally hobbyists and experienced crafters. It combines advanced technology with user-friendly characteristics, making it a favorite choice for many who want to investigate the world of sewing and embroidery. Here’s a detail by detail report on the Brother SE1900 Best sewing machines under 5000 to help you decide if it’s the right machine for you.
The Brother SE1900 is really a electronic sewing and embroidery machine that gives a wide variety of operates and features. It’s made to handle various sewing tasks and complicated embroidery models with ease. This device is suitable for people who wish to combine sewing and embroidery in one product, offering freedom and convenience.
### **Key Features**
1. **138 Built-in Embroidery Styles:**
– The SE1900 comes with a large selection of built-in embroidery styles, allowing users to include customized touches with their projects.
2. **240 Integral Sewing Stitches:**
– That equipment includes a thorough range of stitches, from simple application stitches to ornamental and quilting stitches.
3. **5″x7″ Embroidery Subject:**
– A large embroidery region gives ample room for greater designs, making it better to focus on larger projects.
4. **LCD Touchscreen Display:**
– The user-friendly LCD touchscreen enables for easy navigation of options, stitch choice, and design customization. Additionally, it features a shade exhibit for better visibility.
5. **Automatic Hook Threader:**
– That function simplifies the threading process, reducing vision stress and keeping time.
6. **USB Dock for Style Transfer:**
– Customers can import their particular embroidery styles via the USB interface, giving endless innovative possibilities.
7. **Built-in Memory:**
– The machine has integrated memory for saving customized patterns and settings.
8. **Advanced Hook Threading Process:**
– The intelligent hook threading program assures that threading is fast and hassle-free.
9. **Wide Dining table Included:**
– A big expansion dining table is included to offer extra workspace for greater projects like quilts.
– **Versatility:** Includes equally sewing and embroidery operates, making it suited to a wide selection of projects.
– **User-Friendly:** The LCD touchscreen and automated features allow it to be possible for customers of all skill levels to operate.
– **High-Quality Embroidery:** Provides professional-quality embroidery using its intensive design selection and large embroidery area.
– **Customizable:** Makes for posting and customizing models, providing freedom for private projects.
– **Space for Big Jobs:** The broad table offers ample space for bigger sewing and quilting projects.
– **Price Point:** The SE1900 is more expensive in comparison to basic sewing machines under 5000 , which might be a factor for budget-conscious buyers.
– **Learning Contour:** While user-friendly, the machine’s advanced functions may need some time for you to master, specifically for beginners.
– **Noise Level:** Some consumers have observed that the equipment can be quite a bit noisy all through operation.
### **Best For**
The Brother SE1900 is fantastic for:
– **Enthusiastic Crafters:** Those who enjoy combining sewing with embroidery and want a machine that provides a wide range of functions.
– **Intermediate to Sophisticated People:** Sewists that are looking for a machine with more sophisticated functions and capabilities.
– **Custom Jobs:** Crafters who would like to develop customized designs and involve a device that may handle greater projects.
The Brother SE1900 is really a effective and flexible equipment that provides an effective pair of functions for both sewing and embroidery. With its wide selection of built-in types, tailor-made choices, and user-friendly interface, it’s a great decision for those who want to explore creative sewing and embroidery projects. While it may feature a larger price tag and a small learning bend, the SE1900 gives excellent price for those trying to invest in a high-quality, multifunctional sewing machine.
Selecting the best sewing machines depends on your specific wants, level of skill, and budget. Whether you’re a starter looking for an affordable, user-friendly option or an experienced sewist seeking sophisticated functions and skilled quality, the machines in the above list offer a selection of choices to match various preferences. sewing machines under 5000 Think about the functions and benefits discussed in this information to find the sewing unit that best aligns with your sewing and making goals.
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