DIY Decorative Concrete Maintenance

The application of decorative concrete can help in substantially improving the appearance and appeal of a home. This has to be applied over stamped, polished, overlaid and engraved concrete. Maintaining decorative concrete can help protect the value and longevity of your property. Ensuring a seal after every eighteen months or so can aid in the process.
Structures like concrete driveways are always subjected to immense UV rays that are harmful and can eventually deteriorate the appearance of the path to your house. Vehicles move fast and this often results in extreme heat generation which at times can erode the texture of the surface. Resealing is hence a mandatory option to restore the performance and also increase the elegance. Inducing an expert's help will substantially help in assisting in the sealing application of the path.
Including a penetrating surface sealer should help in increasing the performance and durability of a concrete structure. This will eventually abate destruction due to freezing and salt abrasion since the layer forms a strong hydrophobic barrier to protect against moisture and de-icing. Even concrete flooring especially basements and kitchen floors are always subject to damages like moisture, oil spills etc. Hence with the application of a sealer the original appearance and texture of the floor can be restored.
Care should be taken at all times to ensure that the floor has no accumulation of dust particles and sand since they can be abrasive and damage the structure substantially. Avoiding wet washes and sweeps can help immensely in the process. Check to see whether there are any water marks or oil spots on the floor. Immediately clean the surface if you find one. Air blow larger debris and dust to reduce water usage or use a pressure water to clean your flooring and masterpieces. Always use a strong broom while cleaning and removing tire marks, dirt, moss etc.
Apply the coat evenly in layers and allow them to dry between coats. Ensure to keep cars at bay for a minimum of 72 hours. Remember never to seal at high temperatures and not even between 24 hours of rainfall or moisture accumulation. Never expose or walk on fresh sealing since excessive wind may mix with fresh layers. With the application of the first coat you will be surprised to find that the original color of the structure is restored. Even sealing driveways can help regain the original texture.

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5 Fun Kitchen Wall Decor Projects

Blank walls are frankly pretty uninteresting, but all it takes is a simple makeover to turn them from blah to wow. You can use decorative stickers, wallpaper or, for a more personal touch, make your own kitchen wall decor. The blank walls serve as your canvas and you can let your creativity run free. Here are some easy projects to get you started:
Paper Plate Collection
The porcelain one is such a classic, but why not give it a modern twist and use paper plates? Either find plates in colors, shapes and patterns you like and display them as is, or use them as frames but putting a photo, recipe or artwork in the center. If you want to protect the picture, cover everything with a coating of a clear varnish or sealer (such as Mod Podge).
Silverware
Vintage silverware make interesting wall decor, and it's more fun to show them off rather than leaving them stacked in a drawer. Showcase their luster using simple frames. Group them in pairs or in different sizes and hang on your wall. Shadow boxes make great holders as well; display them alternately with the frames. Make sure to use a strong adhesive that can hold the weight of the silverware - you don't want them coming crashing through the glass when you least expect it!
Framed Recipes
Most of us have a few favorite recipes we go back to again and again, and why not put them on the wall? A nice way to display them is by mounting them on rectangular aluminum fluted tart tins. Enlarge and print your recipes on a nice specialty board, trim to fit into the tins and apply glue. Spray polyurethane sealer on the surface to seal and achieve a sheen effect. This is also a great, great way to display those cherished handwritten recipes passed down from earlier generations.
Artwork
If you live in a rented apartment and aren't allowed to put nails in the walls, decorate with vinyl wall art stickers. These are peel and stick decorative arts which come in a variety of fun designs. I recently came across some humorous "kitcheny" wall quote stickers that have become great conversation pieces.
Mirrors
Mirrors are decorative, but most of us don't think to put them in the kitchen. The fact is that they work just as well there - a large mirror with a gilded frame can look fabulous in a stark white kitchen and provides just the right unexpected touch. Or use frameless mirrors like you would plates - group several together.
Kitchens are often the last spaces to receive those extra decorative touches, but since they are usually the place everyone ends up gathering at parties in spite of our efforts to get guests to be comfortable in the living or dining room, they deserve as much attention as any other area of the house. And as you can see, it doesn't have to be complicated.

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