Interesting ways to use textured walls

Textured walls can add a lot of interest to a plain room. They can be accomplished in lots of different ways. Here are some standard ways, as well as some more interesting ideas you might want to try.

Just by applying regular drywall mixture with special tools, you can add more texture to a wall. You will achieve a somewhat "stucco" look.

You can use a textured paint roller and the same drywall compound, and get a whole different look.

Some wallpapers are textured. Grass cloth is a very common type used. Other papers are textured with patterns and can be painted over.

You can add wood trim or moldings to add dimension to the walls. You even can simulate wainscoting.

Faux painting can give you some faux texture. Check out the plaster, suede or denim looks you can create with paint.

Another type of faux-painting technique, known as Tromp-l'oeil, is a little challenging to do, but it can look amazing when done correctly. Do a little practice before trying it yourself on a whole wall.

Padded walls, made from fabric covering batting, will give you a plush look that really is unique.

Home centers and hobby stores are selling some great decals and stencils these days.

Do a little practice on a scrap of drywall with any of these methods before doing a whole wall, but be courageous, and have some fun while you're at it!

All-purpose dollies

A neighbor has a trailer that he uses to haul building materials and other supplies. He's let us borrow it a time or two. Likewise, we loaned him our portable dolly to help him carry around other items. We even used the two together to move the trailer to a new location without hooking it up to a truck. We lifted the tongue of the trailer with the dolly and, with a little help, moved it to a better spot in the driveway. You can lift more than heavy boxes with a dolly!

Don't color your hair

Painting your ceilings really can change the look of your home. It also can change the color of your hair if you aren't careful! If you want to limit the amount of dripping paint on your hair and yourself, wear a cap. When it comes to painting with a brush, you can add a shield to the paintbrush to catch the drips before they run down your arm. Probably the easiest shield you can create is to use a soft-drink cup cover. These are the plastic covers you get when you get a to-go cup. These already have a small hole that is there for a straw. Just make it a little larger and stick the paintbrush handle through it and let it rest on your hand while you work. It will be in just the right place to catch those drips that would otherwise drip down your arm.

Super hints

• One-of-a-kind art pieces might not cost you as much as you think. Check local art schools and colleges to see if they have students' projects for sale. Properly framed and displayed, a $5 painting can look like a true masterpiece.

• I'm a huge fan of salvaged or used building materials. Here in Dallas, we have several salvage warehouses where we can "shop" for these things. If there are none near you, check your local papers or online sources like Craigslist, Freecycle or eBay. It's also a great way to match older, original trim, tile or hardware.

• If you need a quick magnifying glass, and don't have one handy, grab a clear drinking glass. If you place the thick part of the bottom of the glass on top of the paper you are trying to read, it will magnify the words and make them easier for you to read.

Q. I need some advice. I am looking to replace my current flooring with a wood floor and am finding an option called a "floating floor." What is a floating floor?

A. This type of flooring system isn't glued or nailed to the subfloor. It's tongue-and-groove or some other type of locking system, and usually is placed on top of a foam pad. It allows for more movement and is the best solution for many types of homes. Your flooring dealer will let you know, after looking at your home, whether this is the best system for you.

Q. We have concrete-block walls in our basement. I want to repaint them because the old paint is starting to bubble in a few areas. Before I re-coat the walls, what do I need to do to prevent this from happening again? Is there anything else I need to know before moving forward with the project?

A. You probably are seeing moisture coming through the walls and causing the paint to fail. Make sure to correct any moisture problems in your basement before painting. Correct drainage issues on the exterior of your home, too. Once the problem has been fixed, you can use a paint that is made for basement walls and will seal the masonry surface. It could be a primer followed by a paint, or it could be a one-coat sealer and paint in one.

Q. I have a front door that is losing its built-in gasket. It's only a few years old, but it started to rip on one side, and it's getting worse every time I check on it. What can I do to repair it?

A. If you are talking about the heavy-duty rubber gasket that may have come with the door, you probably can find a replacement at your hardware store. In most cases, you can remove the old one and just install a new one. These are more permanent than the peel-and-stick foam type. If you have trouble finding the correct one for your door, try contacting the manufacturer of the door. While you're at it, do a check and repair or replacement for all of your other entry doors as well. You should be a pro by the time you finish, and your home will be more comfortable and energy efficient, too.

Reader tips

• I've always used Teflon tape to seal up my plumbing joints. It's easy to use and pretty inexpensive. But when I was replacing the shower head in our bathroom, I ran out of it. I lubricated the threads of the joints with waxy lip balm. It worked great, and seems to be holding just fine. I think I'll keep this stuff handy until I get another roll of Teflon tape.

• I have been cleaning the outside of my home. I found several mildew spots on the underside of the eaves on the north side. I mixed up some bleach and water, and used my garden sprayer to spray down the area. Then I used a push broom to scrub it. That was just enough to clean it off. Then I sprayed it with the garden hose. It worked fine, and I didn't have to get up on the ladder to take care of it.

• We have had an armadillo that keeps digging in our front yard. It's made getting the new grass established a real chore. I tried a couple of things to get rid of him, but nothing worked until I sprayed the whole area with some of my wife's old perfume. She never really liked it, and there was a lot of it left. We sprayed it all around the ground in the area. It worked. I spray it every few days to make sure the scent doesn't dissipate. It seems to be doing the job, and I can see the grass starting to fill in more and more every day.

• We made the switch to fluorescent light bulbs a couple of years ago, but we don't really like the way the lights look. The colors are sort of harsh. My wife did a little shopping around, and found that if we use tinted light shades and bulb covers, we could get a "warmer" light. This is much better, and you can't tell the difference between these bulbs and the old incandescent lights that we used to have.

• Our housekeeper uses a nail apron as her caddie as she's cleaning around our house. She says it's easy to fill with rags, cleaners, her phone and other stuff she needs. Unlike the plastic caddie that she has to hand-carry, it's always with her and leaves her hands free for carrying other things. I thought it was a great idea, and I'll do it when I work around the house in her absence.

Shoptalk

• Unless you've used a laser level before, they can be a little confusing. However, they really work well and will give you very accurate results. Stanley has a line of lasers made just for DIY'ers and light residential construction. These levels are just as perfect for building a deck as they are for hanging a picture on the wall, and they are available at most home centers and hardware stores. There are several models to choose from, so you can find just the right one to fit your typical needs. To find out more about the line, just go to www.stanleytools.com.

• RibbonFlex LED Accents Lighting is ultrathin, flexible lighting that works off a battery. Since it's LED, the batteries will last for a long time. This stuff is very flexible and comes in a variety of lengths. Use it to light up the space under your cabinets or maybe a china hutch or even a hallway. The possibilities are endless. Check a local lighting store or home center, or go to www.armacostlighting.com.

• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells' website at thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2014, Cowles Syndicate Inc.