The Home Design Blog

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What Do You Need Help With?

Before you say "my daughter's college tuition" or something along those lines, I need to be more specific. Let's narrow this to the scope of home design, remodeling and simply improving your living space.

Good. Glad we got that settled.

In all seriousness however, what problems do you face when you want to improve your home and what information would help you clear those hurdles? To be honest, I could guess all day on what I think might be helpful, and to some degree I take my best stab at it. But it's still just "researched induction" on my part. The best way for me and this website to help is for you to tell me.

To help you do that I've uploaded a new questionnaire page that asks a few questions to probe your thoughts on the kind of information and information products that would make your remodeling and home design lives easier.

To help nudge you along I'm offering a slight bribe too. In exchange for your help with the questionnaire you can download a free report on navigating the remodeling process (in fact, you can see it just to the right of this post). Remodeling can be complex but it doesn't need to be overwhelming. It's really just a series of steps that form a relatively simple process. The report guides you through these steps from where to start all the way through getting prepared for the onset of the project.

I founded HomeStyleChoices.com to help homeowners like you make the choices you need to make when remodeling or building a new home. But to help you even more, I need to hear from you about the kind of information you're looking for.

Take a look, answer a few questions and download the free report. And if you do, I thank you very much. (Here's the questionnaire page one more time.)

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Chalkboard Doors And Undeliverable Email Addresses

Yes, in this particular case chalkboard doors and email addresses do have a connection -- but let me explain.

I recently received an inquiry from a reader asking how to get chalkboard doors that I wrote about in this article. I responded but the reply email address kept bouncing back as "undeliverable". Perhaps it was due to an inadvertent typo that the questioner put in the return email address.

Well, I don't want that reader to think that I was just ignoring her so I thought I'd post the answer to her question here.

Blackboard doors can be had in a variety of ways but if you want one from Simpson Doors like the one mentioned in my article you can find a Simpson dealer from their website. Simply go to the Simpson Door dealer locator page at their website and input your zip code.

If there aren't any Simpson dealers in your area they instruct you to call Customer Service at 1-800-952-4057 to work out a way to purchase their doors.

If you ultimately can't (or don't want to) buy a Simpson door there are other ways to get a similar result using other doors and chalkboard paint as I outlined in my article that I referenced above.

Hopefully this will get to the person who originally asked the question.

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Kitchen Faucets With All The Bells & Whistles

I grew up in a house with a kitchen (actually it was a small pantry but they really don't make houses like that anymore) that had pretty basic stuff. That included the kitchen faucet. Oh they still make these kinds of faucets; a basic spigot with two handles to turn the hot and cold water on and off. But the simple kitchen faucet has evolved, and there are features and technologies that are designed to make your dish and vegetable-washing lives much better.

Choosing a new faucet is governed by a few factors but I'm sure if you're like most people, how it looks is a big one, particularly if you're remodeling rather than simply replacing a broken faucet. I know what that's like because my wife and I wanted a faucet that had a certain look when we remodeled our kitchen. But we also wanted a few convenience features too. Something my mother could only dream about every time she used that old kitchen faucet.

So what's new and exciting in the world of glorified spigots? There's plenty, and it's worth noting what these handy features are; things like adjustable height spouts and variable flow nozzles.

Here's the message: when it comes time for that new bibcock, study up on the latest kitchen faucet innovations and features. Mesh those desires with the faucet that catches your eye and you'll be in dish-washing business.

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Black Friday For The Home

Black Friday (the mega-sale day after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday) is usually a great way to pocket some savings while stocking up on holiday shopping for your loved ones. But be honest. How many times are you tempted to pick up an item or two for yourself, justifying the act through the savings you're reaping by buying it on sale? Come clean now. We all do it.

Getting a good deal is always a thrill but in case you didn't know it, the deals aren't limited to the Walmarts, Targets and Best Buys of the world. Lots of retailers that specialize in home improvement and remodeling "stuff" also take advantage of this capitalistic orgy. Stores both online and offline are having sales of a myriad of items from toilets to lighting to flooring.

Here's some pointers to get you started. Each link below will bring you to the 'black friday' page for that retailer:
Build.com has holiday savings on just about everything for your home with a 20% coupon code.

Wayfair.com has a bunch of products on sale at 20-60% off.

Lowe's is getting in on the Black Friday deal as well as Home Depot.

So while you're out picking up things to stuff in Johnny's stocking, now might be the right time to stock up on a few items for that kitchen or bath upgrade you've been planning. We know it's really for you, but you can rationalize that little splurge as "being for the home". It's OK. It'll be our secret.

Happy Hunting.

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Laminate Vs Wood Flooring - Which Is Better?

The answer to that question really lies with you, the prospective buyer. If you ask wood purists they'll argue that laminate will never replace wood in the looks department. To that I say -- well, maybe. I've seen some very nice looking and might I add, convincing laminate floors. By the same token, I've seen some pre-finished wood floors that had me wondering if I was looking at wood or laminate. Go figure.

Looks are only one piece of the puzzle. Each product has various attributes that work well in specific scenarios. Your best bet is to compare the characteristics of each side by side and actually look at some product. You can do that in the article on laminate vs. wood flooring.

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Options For Home Improvement Financing

You have your ideas, you've got the plans (or maybe not) and you can envision sitting down for a morning cup-a-Joe at your new kitchen countertop. The new cabinets are a welcome departure from the old worn-out boxes they've replaced. They easily hide away all the clutter that was once piled on top of the countertops and the refrigerator.

Time to wake up and actually SMELL that cup of coffee because before any of that happens, you're going to have to pay for it. Luckily you have several options for making your home dreams come true. You can discover what they are in this article on home improvement financing.

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Choose Bathroom Countertops That'll Stand Up To The Challenge

If anyone's bathroom needs "refreshing" (I use that term with a heavy dose of sarcasm), it's mine. It's original to our 46 year-old house as near as I can tell. That's pretty good service, especially for those darned countertops that would probably survive a nuclear holocaust. Oh yes, and I hate them too.

Why do I hate them you ask? They're tile, the small tiles, like 1 inch by 1 inch. That means lots of grout lines. Lots of grout lines that catch spilled liquid soap, toothpaste and all sorts of other challenges the bathroom must endure from 3 boys.

Which brings me to my point. When your bathroom comes due for a "freshening up", will you choose countertops that will be up to the challenge? Bathrooms are a different environment than the kitchen and while there's overlap amongst the kinds of materials you can use, a bit of consideration is in order to ensure your bath countertops last for the next 46 years. Or at least until you can't stand them anymore.

If my tile countertops are any barometer of longevity, tile would be a good choice. But that's up to you. There are lots of other good bathroom countertop choices but some are better than others, depending on your specific bathroom challenges.

As Yoda might put it, "choose wisely, you must."

You can do your own contemplation at the bathroom countertops page.

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Economy Stifling Your Remodeling Desires? - Start Planning

Turn on the news and you get the doomsday predictions. The economy is still in the toilet. We're headed for a double-dip recession. Problems in the Euro-zone will be the tipping point to another global recession. Blah, blah, blah. If you're an eternal pessimist, hit your back button and move on because what I'm about to say doesn't align with the sky-is-falling crowd.

If the economy is putting a damper on your remodeling dreams, don't despair. I was there too. But guess what -- everything goes in cycles and this too shall pass. It may not happen as quickly as we'd like but we're not going to be in this position forever. So what do you do right now, before you're in a position to start spending some money? Plan.

Yes, that's right. Plan.

You'd be surprised at how much planning and forethought goes into a remodeling project and how long it typically takes before you actually see concrete results. I should know. I've been in that position.

A few years ago my wife and I dined with friends at their recently remodeled home. The kitchen was beautiful and it bumped out into the yard sufficiently to give their city home a bit more space. When I asked about when they started the process I ignorantly chuckled when my friend told me that the process took 6 months from the commitment point to when the demolition first started.

Later on when we did our own remodel it was clear that going from a concept to reality takes longer than most people think. There are ideas to flesh out, designers to contact (if you desire), contractors to meet, products to choose, design schemes to think about, layouts and traffic flow to consider, remodeling contracts to pore over, and on and on.

This isn't intended to scare you but rather, give you some insight into what a successful remodeling entails.

So what does this have to do with sagging economies and recessions? If you can't pull the trigger on your new kitchen just yet, use the time wisely. Do the up-front work that'll need to be done anyway so that you have a head start once you have the cash and/or the confidence to start spending.

Get your ideas together and do your homework. Plan well, choose your contractor wisely and when it's time to spend, you'll be ready.

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Bamboo Countertops - Immune From Greenwashing

You've probably seen the claims -- the ones that say this or that product is green, has a low carbon footprint, sustainable, etc., etc. I think each of us has the capacity to do our own green 'sniff test' and determine just how valid a product's green claims are, so I won't make this a rant about the sins of greenwashing.

Instead, I'll take the opportunity to extol the virtues of one product that I personally think is pretty green, and that's bamboo. Anything that can be used as scaffolding, flooring, clothing and countertops has to be considered versatile. But when it's as renewable and sustainable as bamboo is, I'll give it a green thumbs-up.

If you're looking for a way to "green up" your kitchen design and want to find a product that you can count on to be solidly in the eco-friendly camp, consider bamboo countertops. They're pretty unique and can be rather affordable too. They're not for everybody but if laminate, stone, quartz and the other countertop standbys won't cut it, bamboo is worth a look-see. You can learn more at the bamboo countertops page.

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Bathroom Mirror Frames - Simple But Effective Style Enhancers

Twice a year in my neck of the woods the local builders association puts on a Parade of Homes. It showcases the latest new homes in the area and for about 5 weekends, allows visitors to freely tromp through. Most are already fully furnished which makes for great idea-getting or just general coveting of things you (. . .I) can't really afford. Regardless, every spring and fall my wife and I take advantage of the opportunity and check out several of the homes.

Each year it's a hit or miss process, which is part of the fun. By that I mean that some homes immediately connect with you as soon as you walk in. You feel that visceral, gut-feeling that says to you 'I could easily see myself in this space'. Then there are those that leave you questioning what the architect, designer, decorator or all three were thinking.

One decorating theme I see often and happen to like is the use of a framed bathroom mirror. They provide a nice visual pop in a space that's not often thought of as a primary decorating spot.

As it turned out, last weekend I visited one of these parade homes that definitely needed that kind of inspiration. Most of the interior was bathed in a sea of neither-here-nor-there beige which carried into a moderately-sized bathroom. Inside the bathroom was a large oval mirror above a nice pedestal sink. The problem for me however was that the mirror was frameless. Given the size of the bathroom and the bland wall color, it seemed a perfect place to put a bold, contrasting framed mirror to help "pull" it off the wall.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm no decorator. But I do know what I like and don't like and this was one of those homes that needed some help in my view. Sometimes it doesn't take much to make a big visual difference, and those differences can mean an awful lot to how a space really connects with you (or doesn't).

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Two Bathroom Upgrade Tips

Here's a couple of quick tips for making your bathroom a bit more updated and functional.

Lots of bathrooms, mine included, are a mish-mash of fixture styles. Like an archeological dig you can see its chronological evolution over time just by looking at the differences in fixtures and hardware -- the faucet sink that needed replacement 6 years ago; the hardware-store towel rods to replace the ones that fell off 3 years ago; the shower head from 2 years past that you thought would turn your shower into bathing nirvana. You know the look.

If your bathroom suffers from this type of eclectic overload you can overcome these maladies. The first step involves looking into a bath fixture "collection". Many of the major bath manufacturers offer sets of fixtures that incorporate a particular design style that are made to complement each other. These collections can include every fixture and piece of hardware in your bathroom, from faucets and towel racks to toilet paper holders and shower rods.

There are lots of bath fixture makers so take your pick. There's Kohler, Moen, Delta, American Standard, Grohe and Price Pfister to name a few. Take a look at the manufacturer's website to get familiar with what's available. Look for links that sort their products by "collection" or "style" to see what they offer.

So now you have some style uniformity in your bathroom. What's the other tip? Well, before you drill the holes in the wall to hang up that new towel rod, place your biggest or longest towel over the rod. Then hold it up to the wall and make sure the bottom of the towel clears things like the vanity top or the toilet bowl tank (or any toiletries you might stack on the tank). Then mark the holes and install the towel rod. That'll avoid the scenario of your towels being draped over the other stuff in your bathroom.

And speaking of rods, if you use a shower curtain in your bathroom think about switching to a curved shower rod. They're not just for hotels anymore. It'll give you some more shoulder and elbow room as you croon your way to cleanliness. You'll find that idea and many more at the bath design ideas page.

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Considered Acrylic Or Glass Block Lately?

When I was a kid my pediatrician's office wasn't too far from my home. The doctor was a former 82nd Airborne paratrooper who had jumped into Normandy during WWII. But it wasn't the doctor nor his illustrious past that I remember the most. It's the building that housed his office.

For whatever reason, I have this crystal clear memory of the glass block window that led up the stairs to his office. I guess it fascinated me because I'd never seen anything like it. It let the light in but as hard as I strained, there was no way of making sense out of any image that made it's way through my pupils. Everything on the other side of that window was just a distorted Alice-in-Wonderland representation of what was actually there.

That was my first experience with glass block and since then I've had many more. But if you haven't checked lately, they've come a long way from the mortared-in-place brick windows of the past. In fact, there's an alternative to glass block and it's made from acrylic. What's cool about acrylic is that it offers greater versatility, particularly when it comes to block windows.

If your only concept of glass block is similar to my childhood experience in that it's only good for exterior block windows, guess again. Glass and its acrylic block brethren have all kinds of design applications and some are easier to install than the glass block of old. You can see what I'm talking about in the article on using and choosing acrylic and glass block.

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Synthetic Slate Roofs - When Real Slate Just Won't Do

A slate roof is one of the best roofs you can buy. Why? Because it'll probably be the last roof you'll have to install. Not only does a slate roof look good but when it's done right it can last for decades.

It's also expensive, not the job for any Johnny-come-lately roofer and your house needs to be strong enough to handle a stone roof. In other words, it's not a roofing decision that you make lightly.

Well for those of you who love the look of slate but for one reason or another can't swing the real deal you do have alternatives. Faux slate roofing enjoys wide appeal among homeowners who want the look without the price tag associated with real slate (although some faux slate roofs aren't too far off from the cost of real slate).

Synthetic slate comes in a variety of materials, each with their own look and characteristics. There are even faux slate roof tiles that are made out of recycled car tires. Now there's a nifty way to find new life for an otherwise difficult disposal issue.

Should you consider synthetic slate roofing in lieu of real slate? It's worth a look but synthetic slate isn't without its own drawbacks. You can learn more at the faux slate roofing page.

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Choosing Water Saving Fixtures

What's the biggest user of water in your house? If you answered "the bathroom" you'd be correct. Bathrooms typically consume the most household water, especially bathrooms like mine that are inhabited by teenagers.

Besides fixing dripping faucets and turning off the water main to dissuade your teenager from taking showers as many times as they change clothes, there's another way to save water. Installing fixtures that use less water than standard conventional fixtures is one easy way to do it, particularly if you're remodeling or adding a new bathroom.

To help you in that effort the U.S. EPA established their WaterSense program to establish standards for water conservation. The program includes a labeling convention that identifies bath fixtures that meet water conservation standards.

You can learn more about the EPA's WaterSense program and how it can help you save water and trim your utility bills in the WaterSense article.

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Essential And Not-So-Essential Bath Design Ideas

Bathroom designs are as varied as the people who use them. They come in all shapes and sizes, modest or flashy, utilitarian and all business or pampering and indulgent. Although they all have some basic common elements the design possibilities for this highly functional room are virtually limitless, bounded only by one's budget, imagination and the home's physical constraints.

There are lots of choices and design ideas on how to outfit a bathroom but in my opinion there are two distinct categories: those design elements that are essential, must-have features and the rest. I lump the rest into a "discretionary" category.

The essential bath design elements aren't necessarily the most glamorous ideas but in the end they'll guarantee your bathroom is fit for living for many years to come. They ensure that you can enjoy the discretionary design ideas (you know, the fun ones) without concern for any problems until it's time for the next bathroom redesign.

You can learn which bathroom ideas you shouldn't live without along with lots of other categorized ideas in the bath design ideas article.

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Richer Quartz Patterns In Cambria's New Waterstone Collection

One of the things I love about the home products industry is the continual evolution and innovation that takes place. For a long time quartz countertops had a distinct look which in my opinion made them easily distinguishable as an engineered stone countertop. Products that weren't a solid color tended to have a uniform color pattern.

Well that's all changing now as more quartz surfacing is introduced with random color patterns similar to the veining that you see in some natural stones. Okite surfacing by Seieffe Industrie made that leap and now Cambria has done the same.

Cambria recently introduced their new Waterstone Collection, a group of 12 new colors with a lot of variety and some dramatic patterns, swirls, veining, or whatever term you choose to describe this feature.

This new color collection gets its inspiration from the appearance of water as it naturally flows over stone according to Cambria. That may be the case but what I see is a nice new entry into your available selection of countertop choices, and a choice that caters to homeowners and designers looking for something more akin to the variation found in natural stone.

Some of the new colors are bold and have more prominent color variation and swirls while some of the others are more muted. The marbling characteristic in the "Newport" color for example is barely visible, in contrast to the bold rusts and oranges present in the "Aberdeen" selection. There's a good range of colors and patterns so there's probably something in this new collection to suit most tastes.

You can see the Waterstone Collection at the Cambria website.

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Asphalt Roofing - More To It Than Meets The Eye

What's on your roof? If you live in a single-family home there's a good bet that it's covered in asphalt roofing shingles. And why not? They're the most prevalent form of residential roofing shingle for a reason. But are they all the same?

The answer to that question is a wishy-washy yes and no. Most asphalt shingles are made using the same basic materials. What sets them apart are the features and attributes that the various makers incorporate in them. Some are made with more impact resistance whereas other manufacturers offer more color options or energy-efficient technologies. Some of the premium asphalt shingles are made to mimic the thick, textured look of a slate or wood roof.

Regardless of the brand and the fact that one asphalt shingle seems no different than the next, there are a few things you should know before you make your next roofing decision. As always, an informed decision usually makes for the best choice.

You can learn more about asphalt roofing and what you should consider at the asphalt roofing shingles page.

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A Bevy Of Mudroom Ideas

Two of my sons play soccer and we've now entered into the time of the four "S's" -- summer, shin guards, socks and sweat. The aroma these four ingredients combine (or should I say conspire) to produce is "pungent" to say the least. It's why I thank my lucky stars we have a mudroom.

What does stinky sports equipment have to do with mudrooms you ask? Well, for our family, it offers a place where these things can be quarantined before I can whisk them away to our decontamination chamber, AKA, the laundry room. If we didn't have that mudroom, those vile pieces of athletic garb would be dropped in the kitchen or family room or some other place where we wouldn't want them.

At a minimum our mudroom offers a transition spot from the outside to the indoors. And that's just one of the functions that a mudroom offers. There are plenty more ideas that can make a mudroom space an efficient and hard-working place in your home too. You can learn more about them in the new mudroom ideas article.

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Energy Efficient Roofing

Energy efficiency as it applies to the home is usually thought of in terms of appliances, windows and insulation. It's not often you hear the term "roofing" associated with energy efficiency, that is, unless perhaps you live in warm climates.

Well, if you didn't know that there is such a thing as energy efficient roofing, now you do. And depending on where you live it could be something you'll want to consider the next time you need a new roof. For some, the term "cool roofing" might be more familiar since it's the oft-used descriptor for roofing that can help decrease your energy bills.

To wow your friends at your next dinner party, become knowledgeable about cool roofing (the energy efficient kind, not necessarily the 'nifty/neat/swell' kind) at the energy efficient roofing page. It just might be a subject you want to take notes on for when your home needs a new or replacement roof.

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Choosing A New Roof

The need to choose a new roof doesn't come along too often (hopefully). When the time does come it's a good idea to understand what your choices are because not only does it keep the rain off your head, it has other purposes too. Roofs have aesthetic as well as energy-related functions that can keep your house looking good and energy efficient too.

It's easy to forget about your roof if it's doing its job and that's really the way it should be. But if and when the time comes for a new roof it pays to be smart about what your options are, regardless of whether you're just replacing your old roof or building new. Your home's style, roof design and even the neighborhood all play a role in choosing the right roofing material. Then, you need to factor in your performance expectations because there's a roof for practically any budget.

Whether it's asphalt shingles, wood or the newer composite faux slates, there's no shortage of roofing material choices. You can read more about them along with what you should consider in the the new article on choosing your next roof.

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Delta Faucet's No-Hands Bath Faucet Technology

No doubt there are times when your hands are either occupied or too grungy to grab the faucet handle and turn on the water. Delta Faucet recognized that a few years ago and developed their Touch2O technology. This handy feature allows you to turn the water on and off by touching anywhere on the spout or handle with your wrist, forearm or any unencumbered or clean appendage.

Delta has taken it one step further this time with their Touch2O.xt technology for their bathroom faucets. Touch2O.xt affords totally hands-free operation meaning that as long as you're within the sensing zone the water will turn on. But according to Delta, it's not like those faucets in airport bathrooms that use a small infra-red sensing window, requiring you to mimic an orchestra conductor's gesticulations to get the water to come on. Instead, the entire faucet acts as the sensor allowing for easy activation.

Although it may appear as just some neat Jedi-like novelty, I can see where it does have practical applications. Brushing your teeth can now become a one-handed operation (as well as helping to conserve water) by turning the water on only when you bring your brush down for a rinse. It's also a big help for those who are limited to using only one hand because of physical impairment.

If you're worried about what would happen should Mittens the cat suddenly decide to jump up on the vanity next to one of these faucets, Delta has a solution. There's a safety feature built into the technology that automatically shuts the water off five seconds after the object leaves the sensing field or one minute after the faucet is tapped.

Photo Courtesy Of Delta Faucet

Delta Lahara Faucet With Touch2O.xt Technology

Touch2O.xt techology will be available on select products in the Addison and Lahara bath faucet lines. You can read more about Touch2O.xt at the Delta website. May the force be with you.

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Vintage Bathroom Faucets - New From Jado

Did you ever stop and think about why you like or dislike a particular design style or decorating motif? When asked, most of us are pretty sure we know what we like and don't like. Figuring out why is sometimes more elusive, but part of it is probably wrapped up in the feelings that style evokes. When you see a particular style you either get the warm-and-fuzzies and it connects with you in some way or you don't and walk away wondering "what were they thinking?"

Vintage styling has been and continues to be a strong design theme. When it comes to bathrooms there are lots of products that can help bring the vintage theme to life. Think about it -- your toilet, bathtub, wall tiles, floor tiles, vanity, bath and sink faucets and mirror are all products that can be used to evoke a retro design flavor, either all together or with just a few pieces.

Jado recently introduced their Savina faucet collection which falls right into that vintage style. It's based on 19th century design and includes several bathroom fixtures including lavatory (sink) faucets, tissue holders, tub and shower fixtures and bidet faucets.

Photo Courtesy of Jado-USA

Faucet handles are offered in several styles giving you the opportunity to choose the most ergonomically comfortable option whether it be the cross-handled or lever-handled variety. Bridge-style faucets are available as well as single and pillar taps (pillar taps have individual faucet 'spouts' for both the cold and hot water).

For my practical sense what's nice about style offerings like this is that you get the beauty and appeal of the vintage look combined with the benefits that come along with modern faucets. Things to look for when choosing bathroom faucets include good 'guts' like ceramic disk valves and lead-free construction along with a range of finish choices and water-conserving techology.

When I look at fixtures like these it reminds me of my grandparents' bathroom at their old home in Fisherville, Massachusetts, complete with the clawfoot bathtub. Those are good memories for me, which is probably why I like vintage styling when it's done well. The right design style usually equates to a comfortable and inviting space.

If you happen to like the look of a vintage bathroom you can check out more of Jado's Savina Collection at the Jado-USA website.

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New Laminate Countertop Patterns

There's no denying the fact that laminate countertops can be an attractive option because of their affordability, durability and other "abilities". One of those 'abilities' includes being able to stand up to everyday use while presenting an attractive appearance. Today's laminate features texturing and what seems to be an ever-broadening array of colors and patterns to choose from.

For example, the photo below shows Wilsonart's new Madura series. It includes four new stone patterns that feature the subtle changes in color that's characteristic of natural stone. While being a relatively smooth laminate surface, the Madura series features small "pits" and little indentations in the surface that catch the light and give it some texture.

In my view, laminate continues to get better, both in the looks and performance departments. Will today's laminate fool the eye into believing it's really stone? I'll let you be the judge. You can check it out in the new "Laminate vs Granite" section of the laminate countertops page.

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Bathroom Mirror Frames In Faux Leather Or Unfinished

Framing one of those large bathroom mirrors is a great way to add some style to what might otherwise be just a plain flat mirror on the wall. Getting one professionally framed can be expensive not to mention the effort involved in getting the mirror down from the wall and carting it to the framer's shop.

Several companies have products that get around that problem by offering framing kits for bathroom mirrors that can be installed with the mirror in place. You can read more about these products at the bathroom mirror frames page.

One of these companies, MirrorMate, recently came out with several new styles. Included in that group are two frame styles wrapped in a brown or black material that mimics the look of leather. In addition, they also offer paintable unfinished frames that you can paint yourself. If you have a particular color theme in your bathroom but couldn't find the right color frame, the problem's solved. Just purchase an unfinished frame and paint it yourself in whatever color you prefer.

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Giving & Getting At The Habitat For Humanity ReStore

I visited my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore this past weekend. A Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a retail outlet for accepting donated building materials for resale back to the general public. Proceeds from the sale support the overall Habitat for Humanity mission of providing livable shelter for those in need.

My purpose for going was to (finally) drop off two French doors destined to become recycled building materials from our remodeling project. It's been well over a year since I earmarked those doors for donation but with other priorities getting in the way, the task of loading them up just never rose to the top of the list. The day finally came when they made the trip to the local ReStore.

After unloading the doors and much to the dismay of my time-constrained teenager I couldn't help but take a few minutes to peruse the stock that this particular ReStore had on hand. Being the home products/home design geek that I am I proceeded to "oooh" and "aahh" over the merchandise. It was sort of like American Pickers meets the DIY Network. Prices were very reasonable and I was surprised at the variety of items offered.

One cool find was a vintage fireplace mantel and surround. Then there were the granite slab remnants, again at very affordable prices. Some of these slabs were more than just remnants. I suppose a few of them could have easily covered some small to moderately-sized countertops.

Cabinets were in plentiful supply. Granted, I didn't see any high-end custom cabinets but there was plenty of decent, usable and attractive stock on hand. At a minimum, they were perfect candidates for anyone looking for garage cabinets or even laundry cabinets.

We even walked by what looked to be a new wood entertainment center, priced at $45 (ReStores also stock new items that have been donated as well as used materials).

If you're lucky enough to have a ReStore in your area and are looking to save a few dollars renovating a bathroom or some other part of your home, it's worth checking out what's available. The proceeds go for a good cause and the effort helps to reduce the renovation clutter that adds to our landfills. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are located in the U.S. and Canada. You can find their locations at this link.

Oh, and if you go with a begrudging teenager, you might want to try a Caramel Latte bribe. Worked for me but your own mileage may vary.

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Kitchen Makeovers - How Ugly Is Your Kitchen?

Unfortunately we're not all blessed with kitchens that qualify for the cover of Architectural Digest. But that's what the home-related media keeps pumping out; magazines and television shows with photo spreads of gorgeous kitchens that leave you with the notion that everyone has one, except you.

If you're a victim of kitchen-envy or just not feeling the love for your own kitchen because it doesn't measure up in some way (or because it's just plain ugly), don't feel bad. You're not in the minority. Canvas any suburban neighborhood and I'm sure you'll find scores of homes that haven't been remodeled, whose kitchens could use a 'tot of redecorating' to say the least.

But just because there are others in your same situation probably doesn't make a difference to you, nor mitigate your desire to make it look better.

One way to change all this is by doing a full-blown kitchen remodel. But that gets expensive, not to mention time-consuming and disruptive. And in some cases, it's not the appropriate choice either.

What to do?? You can try your hand at giving your kitchen a makeover, the kind that puts a fresh face on your kitchen's "bones" but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. And there are actually a host of products and makeover ideas that are out there that can help you do just that. These products focus on specific areas of your kitchen like the countertops, cabinets, the backsplash and even the appliances. They're made to give a kitchen a new look without removing any walls or cabinets. Your kitchen layout stays the same but it's look can be updated and refreshed.

How to go about doing that along with how much these makeovers cost and where to get them is all brought together in the new eBook by Home Style Choices called "From Ugly To Inviting". It also includes the pros and cons associated with each kind of makeover. In total it gives you over 30 different product choices and ideas for giving your kitchen a face-lift without the budget hangover.

So if you're getting to the breaking point with your avocado-green laminate countertops or bland backsplash, this guide can help you figure out how to turn your kitchen around quickly and inexpensively. You can read more about how the makeover guide can take your kitchen from ugly to inviting at the kitchen makeovers page.

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Home Depot Black Friday

No, Home Depot (nor I) have our calendars screwed up. I'm not talking about the day after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday but The Home Depot's own Black Friday celebration that takes place in the spring. Because springtime is their biggest selling season, Home Depot will offer a round of savings and deals this spring during certain Black Friday events.

Unfortunately despite the announcement I couldn't find any schedule that lays out the where-and-when of these sales. Your best bet is to watch your local Home Depot ads (you can do that on the Home Depot website -- homedepot.com -- just look for the "local store" link).

Home Depot's Black Fridays typically involve weekend sales and the first will take place this weekend (Mar17 - Mar20) in certain U.S. warm-weather locations. As temps warm up these Black Friday events will spread to the Northern and Eastern U.S. regions.

If you're apt to shop online you can take advantage of some of the sales going on right now at Home Depot's online-only Black Friday event.

Home Depot will be also post Black Friday offers on their Facebook page every friday from March 18 through May. That means Facebook users can tune in to these deals every Friday throughout the spring. There's one catch though -- in order to find out what those deals are you'll need to "like" the Home Depot on their Facebook fan page ("liking" something on Facebook means that whatever you "like" will be posted on your Facebook wall). If you do that however you'll be privy to the deals they're offering right there on the fan page.

And in case you're wondering, Home Depot isn't pushing any kickbacks my way for this free advertising. Just thought that if you're getting an itch to improve the home or yard with spring right around the corner, now might be a good time to keep your eyes peeled for some deals. You can learn more about all of this at the Home Depot blog.

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A Home-Related Theme Park

Here's an interesting concept: a home-related theme park, complete with 12 homes of varied styles showcasing the products, design concepts and styling available for today's homes. No rides however.

Could this be the destination of your next vacation? Will next year's superbowl-winning quarterback utter the words "I'm going to MainStreet America!" instead of Disney World?

What the heck am I talking about??

Well, what I'm talking about is the plan to build a new home product theme park in Houston, Texas. The complex, called MainStreet America, is slated to be the only theme park of its kind in the country, showcasing 12 distinct homes as well as all the products and furnishings that bring them to life.

According to a recent press release the facility will sit on 14 acres near Houston and will be in the developer's words "..an educational, shopping and entertainment destination centered around the home." Groundbreaking is set for March 30th with a grand opening scheduled for summer of 2012.

One of the keys to the park is the ability to take self-guided tours through the homes to see, touch and learn more about the various products that adorn them. Hand-held gadgets called Technological Education Devices will allow you to access information about the products so you can listen to audio or see video about them. You'll be able to find out the product's brand name, what features it has as well as buying information.

Will MainStreet America give Universal Studios a run for its money? Given the probable differences in the demographic each is after, I doubt it. I like the concept, given that it helps educate homeowners about the products and design choices available when building or remodeling (hmmm. . . might be a good concept for a website. . .). But as a destination spot, particularly for those outside the Houston area, only time will tell.

It might be the right idea at the right time however, given that homeowners are once again beginning to spend some money on their home, or at least more open to the consideration.

You can read more and decide whether to make it your 2012 vacation spot at the Main Street America website.

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B'Bye To Incandescent Bulbs At IKEA

For those of you still buying incandescent light bulbs don't plan on stocking up the next time you're at IKEA. They stopped selling them this past January. The home furnishings store made the change as part of their effort to shed light (bad pun, I know..) on the fact that in the not-too-distant future, these bulbs will be mandated into extinction. IKEA's decision is simply on the leading edge of this effort.

The fact that IKEA no longer stocks these bulbs isn't any great loss to me. I can't recall the last time I had to swing by IKEA to pick up some light bulbs while out running my weekend errands. My local hardware store has nothing to fear. Besides, I made the switch to CFL bulbs some time ago.

On the other hand, if nothing else, IKEA's move raises awareness that these kinds of lighting devices are indeed on their way out. According to an IKEA survey over 60% of Americans aren't aware of this fact. Thanks to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 these bulbs will be phased out starting in 2012. In California it starts this year.

So if you still haven't made the switch to compact fluorescent or LED bulbs you better stock up on the old incandescents now. Better yet, do yourself (and the environment) a favor and find out what more efficient lighting and good lighting design has to offer.

Then, in the distant future, under the glow of your home's omnipresent LED lighting, you can pull out an antiquated incandescent light bulb in front of your grandchildren and regale them with tales of lighting, back in the dark ages....

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Home Improvement Tax Credits - Still Here (But Watered Down)

For all the procrastinators out there, you still have time to make some energy-saving home improvements while getting a little financial break courtesy of the U.S. Government.

The only catch this time is that the tax credit limit is $500 vs. $1500. Last year if you made qualified improvements to your home you were eligible for a tax credit up to 30% of the cost of the improvement, not to exceed $1500. As I mentioned in my November newsletter, that program expired on December 31st, 2010.

However, thanks to the new Tax Relief bill signed into law by President Obama last month you can still take advantage of those qualified improvements like new windows and more insulation. This time around however you're eligible for only a 10% tax credit, with a max value of $500.

There are a few other catches as well, like the lifetime limit on the total tax credit value. If you participated in any of the home improvement tax credit programs since 2006 and reached or exceeded the current limit of $500, you're no longer eligible. For example, if you made improvements in past years and received a $1500 tax break, you're done.

There are still some home improvements you can make going forward that don't have any upper tax credit limits (relative to dollar value). These projects are a bit more spendy however, involving things like the installation of a geothermal heat pump or solar energy systems. If you take on any of these projects you can get up to a 30% credit on the cost of the job with no dollar limit. These incentives are good (so far) through December 31st 2016.

You can see the details regarding the home improvement energy tax credits at the Energy Star website.