Farris Jerri - The Complete Guide to DIY Projects for Luxurious Living

BLACK & DECKER

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO

Adding Style & Elegance
with Showcase Features You Can Build

By Jerri Farris

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
www.creativepub.com

Copyright 2008, 2011
Creative Publishing international, Inc.
400 First Avenue North
Suite 300
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
1-800-328-3895
www.creativepub.com
All rights reserved

Printed at R.R. Donnelley

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Digital edition: 978-1-61673-352-0
Softcover edition: 978-1-58923-336-2.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Farris, Jerri.
The complete guide to DIY projects for luxurious living : adding style
& elegance with showcase features you can build / by Jerri Farris.
p. cm. (Complete guide)
At head of title: Branded by Black & Decker
Summary: "Features a collection of high-end home improvement projects
designed for do-it-yourselfers"--Provided by publisher.
Includes index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-336-2 (pbk.)
ISBN-10: 1-58923-336-0 (pbk.)
1. Recreation rooms-Design and construction-Amateurs' manuals. 2. Dwellings-Maintenance and repair-Amateurs' manuals. 3. Do-it-yourself work. I. Black & Decker Corporation (Towson, Md.) II. Title. III. Title: Branded by Black & Decker. IV. Title: Complete guide to do-it-yourself projects for luxurious living. V. Series.

TH4815.F37 2008

643.7--dc22

2007039144

President/CEO: Ken Fund
VP for Sales & Marketing: Peter Ackroyd

Home Improvement Group

Publisher: Bryan Trandem
Managing Editor Tracy Stanley
Senior Editor: Mark Johanson
Editor: Jennifer Gehlhar

Creative Director: Michele Lanci-Altomare
Senior Design Manager Brad Springer
Design Managers: Jon Simpson, Mary Rohl

Lead Photographer: Steve Galvin
Photo Coordinator: Joanne Wawra
Shop Manager: Bryan McLain
Shop Assistant: Cesar Fernandez Rodriguez

Production Managers: Linda Halls, Laura Hokkanen

Author: Jerri Farris
Page Layout Artist: Danielle Smith
Photographers: Andrea Rugg, Joel Schnell, Mark Hardy
Shop Help: Lyle Ferguson, David Hartley, Scott Boyd

The Complete Guide to DIY Projects for Luxurious Living

Created by: The Editors of Creative Publishing international, Inc., in cooperation with Black & Decker. Black & Decker is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation and is used under license.

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher and Black & Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.

Consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

Most of us wouldnt actually want to trade lives with the rich and famous, but we cant deny our fascination with their lifestyles, their toys, and their homes. For generations, movies have given us glimpses of how the other half lives. Now, we watch television shows that play out against the background of incredible mansions and let us peek through the tall hedges and see behind the closed doors of homes owned by the wealthy.

Among other things, weve discovered that we want to come home at the end of a long day and soak in a huge tub or work out in our own gym or fire up a cigar in an elegant room. We want to incorporate some luxury into our living. And that brings us to this book, DIY Projects for Luxurious Living. In the following pages, youre going to find ideas and projects that will help you transform an ordinary room into a luxurious environment. We think youll be surprised at how easy it can be to spruce up your space.

Before we go any further, lets explore exactly what luxury means. In real estate terminology, a luxury home is one priced over one million dollars, but true luxury is not about the price or even the size of a home. Webster defines luxury as a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort. An indulgence...that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease.

Because its not just about money or even square footage, luxury can be built into any home, from a tiny cottage to a hill-covering mansion. The goal of DIY Projects for Luxurious Living is to help you add details to your homedetails that provide pleasure, satisfaction, or ease to help you create abundance. In todays environment where houses look practically the same from block to block, adding a touch of luxury is also a satisfying way to make your home stand out from the crowd.

The book is divided into chapters, each filled with information on a specific type of room or space: home gyms, home theaters, cigar lounges, libraries, wine cellars, home spas, and outdoor areas. Each chapter starts with a showcase of splendid examples meant to inspire and motivate you. Next, the All About section presents a collection of information and ideas youll need to plan and design your projects effectively and efficiently. Finally, we feature actual projects with detailed photographs and step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process.

Inspiration

A paved courtyard and reflecting pool with a fountain adorn the grand entrance to this home.

The television has long served as an electronic fireplace around which we hear modern storytelling, and into todays luxury homes, flat panel televisions are often mounted prominently above the fireplace mantel.