The Home Design Blog

Welcome to the Blog page, a "mini-blog" of sorts that provides you with updates on this site as well as information about what's new and interesting in the world of home products. I might even throw in a personal perspective on some of these products from time to time.

If you'd like an easy way to stay tuned-in to the ever-changing world of home products, just subscribe to this blog using the orange RSS button located under the navbar on the lower left of this page. Click the button and then paste the URL into your RSS reader.

If this sounds a bit too technical and you're not sure what an RSS feed is, just click here to find out more about it. It's pretty quick and easy and it's a convenient way to bring the Web to you (rather than having to chase down the information you want).

Thanks for visiting.

Rob Levesque
Publisher/Editor

The Stone Fireplace - Use Real Or Faux Stone?

With our remodeling adventure winding down there wasn't much "big stuff" remaining except for the installation of the stone fireplace. The only real question on that front was whether to use faux or real stone.

We originally planned on using faux stone but yours truly started getting wishy-washy on that decision as we got closer to the installation date. You can find out what we ultimately chose and how it all came out in Part 15 of the remodeling saga.

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Bathroom Fans - You Can't (Or Shouldn't) Live Without Them

Do you have teenagers? If you do, I'd be willing to bet you also have a steam room.

I'm not talking about the the kind of steam room you see in spas and health clubs. I'm talking about your bathroom after they've taken a shower.

For a long time my house didn't have any bathroom ventilation. We lived with the fogged mirrors and wet walls. Getting around to installing some fans just never got on the agenda, particularly when our kids were small (and weren't taking showers).

Fast-forward to today and we now have a couple of teenagers who'd easily win Olympic gold if showering was an endurance sport. In effect our two bathrooms became steam rooms and it was time to invest in some good bathroom fans.

How about your home? Does your bathroom have adequate ventilation? The new article on choosing bathroom fans might help you find the one that best meets your needs.

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The Light At The End Of The Remodeling Tunnel

They have returned.

No, not Elvis or MacArthur. Our cabinets and countertops. And that means we have a kitchen again.

It also means we're nearing the end of this remodeling journey and while there are still a few things remaining, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I have to say that watching our new cabinets go into place was an interesting exercise. Up until now I'd ridden the highs and lows of this remodel like Laird Hamilton doing the Pipeline. But there was a moment as the cabinets were being hauled in that I finally started to lose my 'chill'. Surfing metaphors aside, I wasn't sure if this was going to turn out to be a positive experience.

What was it that started to push me past my usual mild-mannered demeanor? You can find out in part 14 of our remodeling adventure, when the cabinets and countertops came back home.

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Getting Familiar With Lighting Pendants

Look through any home-related periodical these days and you'll most likely see pictures of lighting pendants hanging above a kitchen island. They're a cool light fixture when you consider that they're available in just about any style, color and material you can imagine.

What might not be so noticeable however is that pendant lights aren't just limited to the single fixture dangling from a chord. There's also more to pendant lighting than you might think, given the choices between line voltage and low voltage fixtures among other options.

If there's a pendant light in your future, check out the new article that's all about what there is to know so that your choice ends up being a good one.

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Are There Hiccups In Every Remodel?

Common sense leads me to answer "yes" to the title question but it really depends on your definition of 'hiccup'.

For the most part the remodel of our kitchen and family room had gone without a hitch. That is, until we encountered our "hiccup". In our case it was the installation of the wood floor and the on-site finish job. It meant we had to be out of the house longer than expected and endure some additional inconvenience.

You can read all the fun details in Part 13 of our remodeling adventure, Installing The Wood Flooring.

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Remodeling Equals Dust, Dust & More Dust

I was once told by a friend who had just been through a remodel that the ubiquitousness of dust was unbelievable. So when we embarked on our own kitchen and family room upgrade, I braced myself for a similar experience.

Well, he was right. As we pushed through the "dirty" phases of the project, the one constant that was always there was the dust. Now you may say, "so what?". But let me tell you, there's a lot of it, and it gets just about everywhere in the house.

There are several things you can do to cut down on how far it spreads but it's not likely you'll be 100% successful.

You can read more about our experience with the Great Dustbowl days in Part 12 of our remodeling adventure.

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Stopping Those Cold Fireplace Drafts

Where I live we're back in the deep freeze again. I shouldn't grumble because (A), I chose to live here and (B), it is still January.

One of those leaks is the masonry fireplace. It's a traditional fireplace with a cast iron (i.e leaky) damper. The kind that lets my heat out and the cold air in.

If you have a similar situation one option is to install an aftermarket damper. It does a better job at sealing off your chimney and keeping the heat in and the cold air out. There are several varieties however and choosing the right one comes down to what you want to spend in both money and effort.

You can read more about them in the new article on choosing the right chimney damper.

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The Non-Dazzling But Essential Parts Of The Remodel

The fun part of any remodel is enjoying the new space or the new things in your home. Whether it's a new kitchen or an updated bathroom, it's the tangible stuff that makes the change enjoyable.

But there's a whole spectrum of "systems" work that's needed to make that remodeled space work the way you want it to. I'm talking the HVAC, electrical and plumbing work. This isn't the glamorous part of remodeling since these systems are in the background for the most part. But they're essential.

You might think that this is hands-off type of stuff, something that your builder or contractor will handle. But you may, or actually, you should pay attention to these systems because they impact the outcome of your remodeled space. They can also affect areas of your house that you didn't think would be touched by the remodel.

You can find out what I'm talking about in Part 11 of our remodeling adventure, as I lay out how changes to these systems affected our house.

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Are Unfinished Wood Floors Still Worth It?

Unfinished wood floors, the kind that are finished on-site, were the mainstay of wood flooring until prefinished wood floors came along. As the choices among the latter continue to grow it begs the question of whether unfinished wood flooring is still worth it.

Let's face it, there's the sanding and staining and the possibility that you might have to be out of your house for a few days.

Well, there are those (your's truly included) that think that installing an unfinished hardwood floor still has merit. Yes, there are pros and cons associated with this type of floor and that's just what the latest article takes a look at.

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Reducing Remodel Costs With Sweat Equity

The beauty of having your house remodeled by a contractor or a build/design firm is that they do all the work. You essentially just sit back and write checks (at least it seems that way). If you'd like the size of those checks to be a bit smaller you might think about taking on some of the tasks yourself.

In the latest installment of my own remodeling adventure story, I talk about the sweat equity my wife and I earned as a means of defraying the total cost of the project. There are several considerations to mull over before you jump right in but it's worth considering. Even if you end up saving just a small percentage of the overall cost, it might be enough to splurge on those countertops you've been coveting or that upgraded appliance.

Find out what we did in Part 10 of our Real Life Remodeling Journey.

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Insulation - Sexy Maybe, But Smart Too

This past Tuesday U.S. president Obama stated that insulation was "sexy". He was alluding to the fact that saving money was the sexy part and that installing more or better insulation (my words) helps you do that.

I've got a slightly different take on it; call it sexy if you want but I think it's smart too. And what's better than being sexy and smart.

It's not often that I one-up the president of the U.S. but I happened to do just that 2 days before his pronouncement about the come-hither qualities of fiberglass. In my December newsletter I touted the benefits of adding attic insulation, however framing it in a slightly more intellectual manner. My point was that it's smart since it saves on your heating bill and could possibly grant you a tax break too.

The topic is particularly close to my heart (and wallet) since I just had my own attic insulation refurbished. My 44-year old house had minimal to virtually no attic insulation and now has over 13 inches of the cotton candy-like stuff. I won't be able to report reduced heating bills until several months from now but the comfort level in some of the upstairs bedrooms is palpable already.

If your house is short on insulation, like my home was, getting it sealed up and better insulated is a good idea. You can call it what you will...sexy, smart, prudent...you choose. Regardless, I think it just makes sense.

If your interested in signing up for the free newsletter, where you'll gain insight into other 'sexy' products and choices for your home, you can do so here.

Endless Cabinet Possibilities But Where To Start?

Starting any type of home project usually requires some up-front planning. Knowing where to start is sometimes half the battle and that's particularly true when it comes planning new cabinets for a kitchen remodel.

If you're in this particular situation and don't really know where to begin check out the article on kitchen cabinet possibilities. It's touches on the subject from a broader perspective and highlights the main considerations you'll need to think about. If you need more detail, there are links to other articles on more specific aspects of choosing cabinetry too.

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Making The Countertop Choice - Granite Gets The Nod

When it came down to choosing the type of countertops for our new kitchen, granite won out. However it wasn't as clear cut as just choosing a color from a sample and forgetting about it from there. The type of granite we ended up with wasn't what we originally chose from a small sample piece. You can read about how we chose our countertops and pick up a few pointers based on our experience in Part 9 of our continuing remodeling saga.

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The Addition Comes Together - Part 8 Of The Remodeling Adventure

The fun part of any remodel is when you see real results and there's no development more tangible than an addition that's framed up and closed in. What was once only drawn on paper actually comes to life as the walls, windows and roof fall into place. But does it all go exactly to plan? You can find out in part 8 of our remodeling odyssey.

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Starting To Build - Part 7 Of Our Remodeling Experience

Finally, after the preparations and teardowns we actually have real progress taking shape. One of the things we considered was whether to go with a full basement or just a crawl space under the new addition.

You can see the foundation go in and what we decided in Part 7 of the Remodeling Junket.

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The Temporary Kitchen - Part 6 Of The Remodeling Adventure

The family room was demolished and the kitchen was next. That meant we needed to find some other place that we could call our kitchen. Find out how and where we did it, along with a few tips should you ever decide to go down this same masochistic path, in Part 6 of the remodeling adventure.

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Getting The Hang Of Recessed Lighting

In the type of house that I grew up in recessed lighting was nowhere to be found. Those were the days of the single light fixture, hanging in the middle of the room as the sole sentinel against the dark. I guess you could rationalize that houses were smaller back then and a single light was all that was necessary.

Fast forward some years and recessed lighting is commonplace in many new and remodeled homes. At a minimum it provides greater flexibility in being able to place the light where you need it. It also gives you more illumination compared to the old single-fixture lighting scheme.

So if you're thinking of ways to brighten up your home, recessed lighting might be an option. They might all look the same but with several different sizes and many trim options there's bound to be something that strikes your fancy. Keep in mind however that recessed lights aren't a "one-type-fits-all-applications" fixture. There's more to them than you might think. Matching the right fixture for the application is a start but then there are those questions about spacing plus a number of other considerations to think about.

You can read more in the article by clicking on the permalink.

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Home Demolition - Part 5 Of The Remodeling Adventure

Remodeling usually involves some form of demolition. Sometimes it's to accommodate a change in floorplan or the installation of some new fixtures. But when it involves removing a whole piece of the existing house, well that's another matter altogether.

The sight of heavy machinery taking big chunks out of your house is (hopefully) not something you see often. But in our case it was a necessary part of plan. Take a look at how it turned out in Part 5 of our remodeling adventure.

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Recycled Building Materials - Part 4 Of The Remodeling Journey

In the last article of this series we started getting ready for the inevitable demolition. Well before that actually happened, I wanted to salvage some of the still-usable materials from both the family room and the kitchen. Some cabinets, doors, wood beams and even a bunch of bricks were saved from the dumpster. Click the permalink to read Part 4 of our remodeling adventure.

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Getting Ready - Part 3 Of The Remodeling Adventure

Getting ready for our remodel means honing our organizational and packing skills. Since we're going to lose the existing family room and kitchen for a while we'll need to figure out where to put all the stuff that's currently in those spots The key is determining what to pack away and what to keep handy. Read how we prepped for the coming demolition in Part 3 of our remodeling journey.

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The Remodeling Contract - Part 2 Of The Remodeling Adventure

The fun part of any home improvement is dreaming of what your space will look like after the project's complete. You comb through magazines and get bleary-eyed surfing websites looking for the right products, the right design. It's hard to resist being wooed by those glitzy kitchens and sumptuous bathroom upgrades.

But when it comes right down to it, there's one piece of the whole process that's about as glamorous as a frog. Yet it's arguably one of the most important elements.

What am I talking about? It's the remodeling contract. You should have one if you hire anyone to work on your home. But should you have it checked out by an attorney? You can find out what I did in Part 2 of Our Real Life Remodeling Journey.

A Real Life Home Remodel

Back in the February Newsletter I wrote about remodeling in a down economy. From a consumer's point of view, the opportunities involve the possibility of lower material costs and more leverage on overall project pricing.

So, taking a bit of my own advice, my family and I have made the leap into our own home remodeling project. The planning's over, the deal is done and there's no turning back.

If you've been thinking about doing the same and want to look over someone's shoulder first, you can join us on our journey. I'll be writing a series of articles over the next few months to chronicle the process on our own project. Along the way I'll give you some insights into how the process feels from a customer's point of view and offer some tips and other resources that might help you on a similar project.

To get started right along with us, click the permalink to read the first installment of our remodeling adventure.

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A Primer On Home Lighting Design

How many of you grew up (or presently live) in a house that uses one central light fixture per room? If you don't know what I'm talking about, consider yourself "enlightened" (or just lucky).

Virtually every room in my house is blessed with this characteristic of luminary frugality. I sometimes wonder if the people who designed the lighting plans in these homes were equipped with some sort of night-vision capability. Either that or they never stepped into these places after sundown.

Thankfully, it doesn't (actually shouldn't) have to be that way. Good lighting not only allows you to see what you're eating at dinnertime, it has the capacity to transform spaces. Lighting sets a mood and highlights the spaces we live in.

So where do you start and what sorts of things should you consider to light up your own home? Click the permalink to see the article on home lighting design.

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Outdoor Cabinets For Those Who Like The Look Of Wood

Outdoor cabinetry doesn't have the luxury of residing in a climate-controlled environment like its kitchen brethren. Instead it has to be able to endure the hardships of rain, high humidity and maybe even some snow. That's why outdoor cabinets are usually made from hardier materials like stainless steel and materials in the plastic and resin family.

The reality however is that these materials don't always provide the look that we're hoping for. It's hard to beat the beauty of wood and that's probably why you don't see kitchen cabinets made from plastic. So what do you do if you want the warmth that the look of wood offers but need the durability of a weatherproof material?

That's just the question Designer Kitchen & Baths, Inc. of Florida had in mind when they developed NatureKast outdoor cabinetry. NatureKast reproduces the look of natural wood in a material that gets along with the weather.

Find out more at the outdoor kitchen cabinet sources page and click on the link to Designer Kitchen & Baths under the section on Polymers.

Outdoor Cabinets Made Of Bamboo

Bamboo is one of those wonder-materials. It's a sustainable resource that grows very quickly, maturing to the point where it's able to be harvested in 5-7 years. Try getting any board-feet out of a 7 year old white oak.

Atlantis Outdoor Kitchens recently introduced their new outdoor cabinets available in bamboo. Atlantis specializes in making cabinets and appliances for outdoor kitchens. Their cabinetry is made with a polymer called Perma-Panel, allowing it to stand up to the elements.

Besides the Perma-Panel, cabinet doors and drawer fronts are also available in wood including Teak and Cypress which are naturally resistant to the effects of the weather. Now they've introduced Bamboo, a strong, environmentally sound material that's tough as well.

You can see the bamboo Atlantis cabinets at their website. Find out more about choosing outdoor kitchen cabinets here at HomeStyleChoices.com.

Granite Laminate Countertops

Before all you English majors come down on my 3-noun title, there's actually some purpose to the grammatical madness.

Granite is a sought-after countertop material for many homeowners but sometimes the cost is beyond what the budget will bear. That's why a lot of laminate countertop patterns are designed to mimic the look of granite.

In virtually all cases however, granite-like laminate has some pattern repeat, where the actual image of the granite is repeated. If your laminate surface is large enough, you'll probably see this repeat pattern.

Well the day has come when you can have a "complete slab" of granite laminate (or laminate granite, however you choose to say it). Formica has introduced a new product in their laminate lineup called 180fx that's an image of a full slab of granite.

You can read more about it along with other reasons why it might be time to take another look at laminate countertops here. Look in the 'What's New' section for more info on Formica's 180fx.

Cabinet Refacing & Other Kitchen Upgrade Options

There are countless ways to update your kitchen ranging from putting up a new backsplash to gutting the place and starting over. Full remodels cost a lot and they're disruptive, potentially putting your kitchen out of commission for months.

Cabinet refacing isn't new but it's developed into a niche industry that caters to varying budgets and style choices. It's a less costly way to upgrade your kitchen and it can happen in a fraction of the time it takes to replace the existing cabinets.

Conventional refacing, where a new veneer is applied to your cabinets along with new doors, is one way to go. But there are other cabinet refurbishment options that you could say are related to cabinet refacing but slightly different. So if your existing cabinets are in decent shape but could use a facelift, don't worry, you have some options.

Find out more in the new article on cabinet refacing and refurbishment.

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A Gas Grill Tank That's A Smarter Solution

So you're probably wondering what a propane tank has to do with home design. Nothing in fact. But then again, if you're in the midst of a kitchen remodel and your gas grill is the only thing stopping you from becoming the next Subway Restaurant spokesperson, it may have some connection.

Actually, the main reason I'm writing this is because I get a real charge out of letting people know about some cool or handy new product that makes for an elegant solution to a problem. And since I have this problem, when I stumbled across the solution, I thought it was worth shouting out.

I'm talking about the new Lite Cylinder propane tank from the Lite Cylinder Company. It's a composite and plastic portable propane cylinder that's see-through so you can actually see how much fuel is left in the tank.

A couple of years ago it was time to trade in my old grill for a new one. Unfortunately the new grill doesn't have any sort of gauge to tell me how low I'm getting on propane gas. No problem I thought. Until I actually ran out of gas in the middle of a cookout. I can imagine that there are others out there who bought the same type of grill and have run into the same under-cooked hamburgers.

The Lite Cylinder provides a simple solution to an application that begged for something better. Whether it's a gas grill, patio lighting or any boating or camping application, knowing your fuel quantity just makes sense. The tank is lighter than the steel version but just as strong and according to the website, it's approved in every U.S. state except Louisiana. They're available in 10, 20 and 25 pound sizes and you can buy them from dealers or right through their website.

It's these kinds of products that always leave me muttering, "now why didn't I think of that?"

Cabinets Gain Middle-Age Weight Too

My wife recently bought some new tableware. It's a nice pattern with vibrant colors in an updated look. The other attribute is that each dinner plate is about twice as thick as our older dinnerware. That fact was reinforced the other day when I was emptying the dishwasher and loaded a stack of these new plates into my arms and then into the cabinet. It's a good thing I don't have back problems....yet.

All humor aside, it struck me that the new plates were certainly a lot heavier than the old and in a sense, our cabinets, at least the ones that house our tableware, had effectively "gained some weight".

It's something to think about when you're buying new cabinets, particularly as it relates to kitchen cabinet quality and cabinet construction. Shelves come in several different thicknesses and the hardware that holds these shelves runs the gamut from little pins to more sturdy brackets. Then there's the hanging rail (or whatever method is used to mount the cabinets to the wall). How does 'cabinet weight gain' impact these areas?

If you choose your cabinets wisely, a little cabinet weight gain down the road probably won't be an issue. But load our hefty dinner plates on a long-span shelf that's only 1/2" thick and there will most likely be some sag over time.

So next time you're in the market for cabinets, don't forget the less glamorous features like strong, robust construction. It's either that or use paper plates instead of chunky dinnerware.

Garage Cabinets - Go Simple Or Sophisticated

How many of you could use some extra storage space in the garage? If you're like me, you tend to overlook that part of the house. I mean, it's not like we'd build a kitchen and just leave our dishes, pots and pans and food items strewn on the countertops and on the floor along the walls. No, instead most civilized folks use cabinets to store those items. Yet that description probably fits a lot of garages.

Garage cabinets are available in several materials, a broad range of styles and for just about any price you can imagine, from cheap to expensive. To find out what your options are, take a look at the new page about choosing cabinets for the garage.

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Laminate Flooring - Making Strides In The Looks Department

I was in my doctor's office this morning (checkup time) and as the blood pressure collar clamped down on my arm I stared blankly at the floor. Being the home product geek that I am, I suddenly noticed that the flooring was new and it was wood -- or was it?

The overall shade was very nice, with the distinctive grain color differences found in oak. Better yet, the texture of the wood grain was incredibly natural, following the color of the grain perfectly.

So which was it? The blood pressure test was almost finished. I needed to think fast before I'd have to pull up my head and answer more of the doctor's questions.

Then I remembered the no-fail laminate vs. wood test. Aha! It was laminate! How did I know? The pattern-repeat. I looked for some distinctiveness in the grain pattern, something that stood out, and then looked around to see if it was repeated elsewhere. Sure enough, it was. An exact duplicate.

Diagnosis? Well, my blood pressure's ok, and whatever laminate flooring that was, it sure looked good. For the grain texture to match the grain's image, it had to use embossed-in-register technology. You can read more about this feature on the laminate flooring page.

There was no way for me to determine what brand of laminate floor I was looking at but I can definitely say I was impressed. The point here is that when it comes to mimicking real wood, laminate flooring has come a long way and continues to get better. A visit to the doctor was enough proof for me.

Careful Consideration Of The Products You Choose

The other day I was cleaning our blender jar of the smoothie residue left behind by one of our kids. You're probably familiar with these blender components - thick, heavy glass, robust enough to withstand a grenade blast.

As I soaped up the jar and my mind drifted off to someplace like Fiji, the jar suddenly became like a greased football and squirted out of my hands. I did my best Franco Harris Immaculate Reception imitation as I flailed away, grasping for a handhold, bobbling the jar while it spun in midair. It was to no avail however as it came crashing down into the sink.

Final score? The blender jar was unscathed. And my sink? Well I'm happy to report that it's so old and scuffed, I really can't tell if it was marred or not.

So why am I telling you this you ask. For me, it was just a reinforcement of how life happens, or as I like to say, "stuff happens". Where I'm really going with this however is that it demonstrates how we should take these types of "oops" events into mind when we choose products for our home. I wrote about this in newsletter #3.

New products look great in those design and remodeling magazines and with a little effort, they should remain looking that way too. But also keep in mind that stuff does happen. Red wine will eventually get spilled on that cream colored carpet and blender jars will get dropped into the sink.

This isn't to say you shouldn't go with your dreams and choose that beautiful fireclay apron front sink you've always wanted. But just think ahead (or back) to those "oops" events that eventually happen. Choose the products you'll enjoy, but choose wisely, remembering that every once in a while, "stuff happens".

Steam Showers - Spa-Like Experience With A Range Of Options

For those among us who enjoy a spa-like indulgence at the end of a long day, the steam shower is one option that fits the bill. Steam showers and steam rooms are made up of several basic but essential components; a means to produce the steam and a way to deliver it it to an enclosed shower stall or room.

If you've been thinking about possibly adding a steam shower to your own home keep in mind that there are a couple of options in the form of built-in and modular varieties.

Or you can go the cheap route like I do; walk into the bathroom after my teenage son has finished taking his shower. By that point, the whole bathroom has become a steam room.

For those of you who are interested in the real thing, you can learn more along with a few considerations in the new article on steam showers.

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Laundry Cabinets - From Purely Functional To Showcase Style

When you think "cabinets" the kitchen and then maybe the bathroom are the first two applications that commonly come to mind. Many of us forget about the laundry room. And just like the kitchen, the laundry room has plenty of stuff that is probably better off hidden behind closed doors.

The nice thing about laundry room cabinets however is that you can sometimes get away with cabinets that are purely functional, without the glitz we associate with kitchen cabinets. Then again if you want showpieces, they're available too, including all the organizational bells and whistles.

In other words, there are plenty of options when it comes to laundry cabinets. Check out the new article to see what's available.

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Copper Sinks For The Kitchen And The Bathroom

One of the many myriad choices there are for a new kitchen or bathroom sink is one made out of copper. Copper's interesting because of its multiple personalities. On one had it can be bright and shiny with pinkish tones while on the other hand it can take on more mellowed brownish hues.

Copper (provided it's left bare) also has beneficial properties that make it a good candidate for use in a kitchen or bathroom. Yet, there are other considerations to think about too. Find out in the latest article on copper sinks.

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