The Home Design Blog

Best Looking Laminate Flooring (Which Remains Nameless)

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:43:21 GMT

While on a recent vacation I took the opportunity to visit my aunt who lives in an assisted living facility. Her ability to zoom down the halls with her walker belied what you'd expect from someone of 90 years. But there was something else about those hallways that caught my attention, aside from my dear aunt's fleetness of foot. It was the flooring.

Now before you think of me as some cad who was staring at the floor more than paying attention to my aunt, let me defend myself. We had a great visit and took the time to catch up. But I couldn't help noticing the great looking laminate flooring. I just notice stuff like that. It's what I do.

Anyway, because I had my camera with me I decided to take a few pictures. In all truthfulness it's probably the best looking laminate flooring I've seen to-date. You can see the pictures and read why I think this way on the laminate flooring page (and why it remains nameless). Just look for the green 'Publisher's Comments' box about a third of the way down the page.

Exotic Laminate Flooring In Long Planks

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:55:53 GMT

The choices for exotic wood laminate flooring just expanded a bit with the introduction of Sapele Long Plank by Bruce Laminate. Sapele (pronounced "suh-pee-lee") is a wood similar to mahogany and native to Africa. The real wood is sought after for flooring because of its durability and distinct color and graining.

The new introduction by Bruce Laminate captures this wood in a laminate floor but with the added distinction of a hand-scraped effect. You can see it and read about it in the "What's New, What's Interesting" feature of the laminate flooring page.

Cabinet Knobs That Crunch Your Fingers

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:48:15 GMT

I spent last weekend up at a friend's lake home. It's a beautiful place with a lawn that slopes down to the water's edge. It's also the place with the cabinet knobs that eat my fingertips for lunch.

The house is older, as are the cabinets and cabinet hardware. It's not like the cabinet knobs are that out-of-the-ordinary. They look benign enough. But behind the rather innocent looking round knobs lurk these evil decorative rings that await unsuspecting fingertips like ravenous piranha anticipating the hapless cow that wanders into the river.

In other words, if you don't watch out your fingers get pinched between the knob and the decorative backing ring as you open the cabinet door. For me, it's a classic case of buying cabinet knobs based purely on looks with no regard for how they feel.

If you think "feel" isn't important when it comes to cabinet hardware you haven't experienced knobs like those at my friend's lake home. Think about how many times you open and close your cabinets every day. Even though it's a brief touch it should feel comfortable, with no risk of pinching or prickly points.

In the article on kitchen cabinet knobs and pulls there's a picture of a whimsical cabinet knob shaped like a turtle. The style of knob is interesting but it's too small and the turtle's feet poke your fingertips.

Maybe my fingers are just wimpy. But there are just some cabinet knobs that feel good and others that don't, even though they might look cool. So next time you're in the market for new knobs, go beyond the looks. Experience how they feel in your fingers. Hold them up to a cabinet door and see if there's enough room for your fingers. You'll be glad you did.

A Vinyl Siding Primer

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:04:14 GMT

Have you ever considered installing vinyl siding on your house? Maybe you already have it. And then again maybe you don't and you never will.

Vinyl siding seems to be one of those things that people have a definite opinion about. They either love it or hate it. The 'hate it' crowd has probably seen cheap vinyl and/or bad siding jobs and their viewpoint is justified.

But there are some things to like about vinyl, not the least of which is its low-maintenance qualities. Vinyl has come a long way too, with much better color retention qualities and detailed injection-molded features like split shakes and architectural moldings.

If you're looking for information about how to assess the merits of vinyl siding you can check out the new article about its highs, lows and how-to's.

Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring With A Story To Tell

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:40:00 GMT

I'll be honest. I'm a history buff and a nut for anything old -- old tools, old cars and just about anything that precedes my birth date. Reclaimed wood is also something I have a penchant for though I don't have any in my home (yet).

In most cases reclaimed wood is old but beyond that, it usually has a story behind it. Maybe it's from the beams that held the roof over the heads of thousands of past guests at a grand old hotel in the Canadian Rockies, now dismantled after years in existence (hey, I can dream can't I?).

Or maybe it's wood from old barns that have been turned into unique solid wood floors. That's what Homerwood has added to their hardwood flooring lineup. From the old oaks of 200 years ago comes flooring that you can start a conversation about.

You can see it in the "What's New / What's Interesting" section on the reclaimed wood flooring page.

House Siding Choices

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:22:56 GMT

House siding is sort of like insurance. You have to have it but it quickly fades into the background and if all goes well you don't have to think about it that much. At least that's the preferred scenario.

Like insurance, your siding provides protection, sheltering your home's bones and your family from bad things that Mother Nature throws your way. And also like your insurance, you want to set it and forget it. All of us want our home's siding to look nice and perform well so that we don't have to mess with it too often.

If you own your home for a while or decide to build new or remodel, you'll probably be faced with siding decisions. A number of different factors come into play with that kind of decision too. You'll need to consider things like how you want your house to look, whether to upgrade your siding, how it will blend with the neighborhood, what kind of maintenance you're willing to put in, etc., etc.

If you're in that boat or simply curious about what's available (tree bark anyone??) stop by and check out the article on house siding types. There are plenty of choices. The question is, which one is right for your home?

Remodeling Tip #6 - Don't Do Stainless If You Don't Like Fingerprints

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:04:02 GMT

This tip isn't intended to offer some earth shattering insight but rather to affirm what people have known about stainless steel appliances for some time. And that is, if you don't like seeing fingerprints, you might want to think about something other than stainless steel. I've lived with 4 new stainless appliances since our kitchen upgrade and I can attest to this oft-cited characteristic.

That being said however, would I choose something different if I were to do it all over again? The answer is no. That's because we're talking about a style choice, a personal preference. For my kitchen the stainless appliances work beautifully with the colors of our cabinets and countertops. My wife and I knew the reputation of stainless steel and we were prepared to take on any extra maintenance needed if we wanted fingerprint-free appliances all the time.

As it turns out, we aren't constantly cleaning. With 3 kids our kitchen gets lived in. Life goes on and we get fingerprints but it's not our style to wig out about them. We've fallen into a pattern of wiping off the smears and smudges about once a week.

Cleaning them has been easier than I imagined too. I've tried a couple of products including glass surface cleaner and a stainless polish sample provided by one of the appliance manufacturers. Both work pretty well though the glass cleaner take a bit of "technique" to avoid streaks.

So what's the real message behind this tip? Becoming knowledgeable about the products you choose and grounding yourself in realistic expectations should be guiding principles in any remodeling project. Knowing what you're in for will afford you a lot more satisfaction on the other side of the remodel because there will be fewer bad surprises.

Help With Home Design

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:38:19 GMT

Ask a few people what their definition of "home design" is and you'll probably get answers relating to the creation of a new home. While that might be accurate I'll argue that it's not the only definition.

Home design really entails all aspects of creating new homes as well as changing existing ones. When you think about new ideas to remodel your existing home, you're actually engaging in the design process.

"But I'm not a designer" you say. That's true for a lot of us. And that's why many of us need some help once in a while designing our homes the way we want them to be.

Depending on the scope of the project there are things that we can do. If you're technically savvy you might be able to design your new home or addition using some of the software packages available on the market. Or maybe you know what it is you want in your home's design but need help fleshing out the details.

Regardless of where you sit there's a way to ultimately get the design you want and ways to get help if you need it. You can learn more at the new article on home design help.

Remodeling Tip #5 - Don't Make Decisions Harder Than They Have To Be

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:23:53 GMT

How decisive are you? It's no secret that any remodeling project involves lots of decisions. The bigger the job, the more decisions you'll have to make. To some, that might seem overwhelming. But I submit that they're only as hard as you make them.

After several remodeling projects on my own house I've concluded that some of those decisions ultimately involve inconsequential issues that "blend into the background" in a short time. A lot of the choices we have to make, particularly ones about product choices, are ultimately about stuff that won't (or shouldn't) matter that much after the remodel is done.

At the time making some of those decisions seem like monumental tasks, as if the "wrong" decision is going to doom you to a life of utter disappointment and despair. But that's usually not the case. The consequence of many (not all but many) of the decisions you need to make will fade into the background in your 'life after the remodel'.

In other words, don't sweat the small stuff, like agonizing over whether to choose this cabinet knob or that one. Either one will look just fine and will certainly function no differently than the other. Choose one you like and that feels good and go with it.

Getting hung up over which color and pattern of granite to choose for the countertop? If pricing isn't an issue, narrow your choices to two that you prefer then make a decision and move on. Six months down the road you won't know the difference because regular life takes over. It's only when we're making all these remodeling decisions that we tend to hyper-focus and put an inordinate amount of significance on them.

No one has ever walked in my home and commented to me why we didn't choose Tan Brown over Tropic Brown granite. They just say "hey, nice countertops" or say nothing at all and move on to normal conversation. When I get up in the morning I don't lament the fact that we didn't choose glazed cabinet finishes. Our cabinets hide my dishes and groceries, look nice and we don't think about them beyond that.

If you tend toward analysis-paralysis when it comes to making these decisions, front-load them into the planning process ahead of time before the project begins. It's not uncommon to actually spec out all of your product and design choices before the project starts. That avoids having to make time-pressed decisions on the fly, when you're much less apt to make stress-free, clear-headed choices.

Save the more contemplative effort for the bigger decisions, like whether to pay the higher initial price for the upgraded furnace that can reduce your long term operating costs.

In the end if you aren't disciplined about being decisive you'll end up frustrated and make the whole remodeling process much more stressful than it needs to be. Don't second-guess yourself after you make a decision and you'll be a much happier remodeler.

A Closer Look At Delta Dryden Bath Faucets

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:49:16 GMT

If you think about it most bath faucets, or faucets in general for that matter, tend to have smooth lines and curved features. They're essentially an extension of the pipes that carry water to our sinks and being like pipes, their cross-section is typically round.

But that's where Delta's Dryden Collection differs from other faucets. The Dryden line is characterized by a more "square" design theme that in Delta's words, echoes the Art-Deco style.

Of course there are other features that go along with the Dryden Collection and you can learn more about them as well as shop for Dryden faucets in the new article about the Delta Dryden faucet collection.

Maytag Dishwasher Recall Due To Fire Hazard

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:36:35 GMT

On June 3rd both the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Electrical Safety Authority of Canada issued a recall against approximately 1.7 million dishwashers made by the Maytag Corporation (approximately 160,000 in Canada). The reason for the recall is a risk of fire due to failure of the electrical heating element.

The products affected by the recall include the brands Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley. Twelve fires due to this problem have been reported to the CPSC which recommends immediately discontinuing use of the washer until you can rectify the situation.

You can see a list of the affected product serial numbers along with more information about this situation including remedies at the Consumer Products Safety Commission website. Canadian consumers can see similar information in this PDF document available from the ESA website.

Additional information is also available at the Maytag website.

This is something to pay attention to due to the potential implications of a failure of one of these units.

Remodeling Tip #4 - Be Prepared To Handle Mistakes

Tue, 25 May 2010 20:11:02 GMT

Mistakes in a remodeling project can happen at any stage and can take virtually any form. They might involve a mistake in interpreting the plans or the installation of the wrong product. The key to minimizing any impact is avoiding the blame game and taking a proactive problem-solving approach with your builder.

If you've done a good job choosing your builder (see Tip #2) it's likely you've established a good working relationship with that person. If that's the case then it shouldn't be too difficult to work out a solution to whatever problem arises. On the other hand, if your contractor isn't one to own up to the mistake (assuming it is their responsibility) then you have another problem on your hands.

Being cognizant of any errors is really a mutual responsibility which means that you should be familiar with the details of your project. That's not to say that you need to be on top of every nuance but the more you're aware of what it entails, the better off you'll be at assessing whether it's being built to plan or not.

Being that extra set of eyes can sometimes help keep a small problem from becoming a bigger one if it's noticed soon enough. This was the case in my own remodel when I noticed that one of the window openings wasn't located in the right spot. After verifying it with our contractor it was easily fixed because we were still at the framing stage. It would have been a bigger problem if it hadn't been noticed until later on after drywall, sheathing and siding had been installed.

Making sure you have a well-crafted remodeling contract is another piece of insurance against problems arising from mistakes. A contract with conflict resolution language offers a good roadmap for resolving problems, particularly if you can't easily work them out with your contractor.

The best way to handle mistakes is actually before they begin. During your interview process ask prospective builders how they handle problems and mistakes that might happen. How they respond and the process they employ in these situations will give you a good indication whether you want to work with them or not. Talking to their references and asking them how mistakes (if any occurred) were handled will give you a good indication too. Knowing ahead of time how you'll work through any errors that occur will help make their resolution quicker and easier to manage.

Remodeling Tip #3 - Prep For Spending More Than You Anticipated

Tue, 04 May 2010 15:17:51 GMT

Establishing a remodeling budget and sticking to it should be an obvious goal. But I'm here to say that it's a lofty one and it's more easily said than done.

Exceeding your budget can happen for two reasons: unforeseen circumstances (like the termites that have turned your floor structure to dust) and the stuff that you add to the project above and beyond it's original scope. It's the last one that I didn't anticipate and caused us to spend a little more on our own project.

To start with you should have an agreed-upon price for your remodeling project that's covered by a contract. The scope of the job should be well documented and all costs understood. Any changes are typically handled through change orders that document the impact to the project including their associated costs.

In our case we had a minor issue that ended up costing us several hundred dollars to take care of. Thankfully, that was the only surprise. What pushed us further beyond our initial contracted price however was several changes we made to the project along the way.

This is where balance is needed. That's because there are likely to be things that you see as the project progresses that you didn't consider during the planning stages. For us it was the addition of two small windows and the replacement of several old windows. The balancing act is making sure you take advantage of the circumstances while avoiding changes that add excessive labor and/or product cost.

For example, the window changes we added took advantage of the fact that the affected areas were already exposed and being worked on as part of the original project scope. We paid an additional amount for the cost of the windows and some additional labor, but less than what it would have cost several years down the road. Doing it later would have required more labor to cut and patch drywall and exterior siding, all of which were already being "touched" in our original plan.

Sometimes it's also just easier to "do it now" than go through the process of doing it later. We added a couple of bathroom ventilation fans which obviously cost us in both material and labor. However, we had become familiar with the electrical and HVAC subcontractors and it was easier to add this while they were on the project.

The point is this: whether it's your call or something you don't anticipate ahead of time, don't be surprised if you spend a little more than what you originally planned. The familiar suggestion of keeping a 10-15 budget contingency is a wise one. Just be sure to discuss any anticipated changes with your contractor as soon as possible. Adding things when the time is right is much easier than when the job is just about complete.

New Home Windows With An iPhone App

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:58:22 GMT

I'm one of those curmudgeons who thinks that most iPhone apps are just flash-in-the-pan gimmicks that would probably end up in the "unused icons" folder if they were on a PC. Then again, I once resisted email when it made its debut so what do I know.

Anyway, there's a new app for you iPhone lovers that even I could warm up to and it's from Marvin Windows. You could say it helps you shop for new windows by helping you visualize what those new windows would look like in your home.

Simply take a photo of the space in your house where you'd like to place new windows or upgrade them. It can be a shot of the interior or exterior. Then, using the new app, choose from among a variety of Marvin window styles to overlay onto your photo. The app lets you move and re-size the windows to fit the proper scale of your photo. You can save the resulting image for viewing later on or send it to whomever you wish. Save shots of several window styles and poll your friends on which to choose. You may not have any friends after that exercise but at least you'd have some cool windows.

You can see more about the new app at the Marvin website which includes a short video on how it works. There's a link at the site to the iTunes store where you can dowload the app.

I don't have an iPhone so I can't comment specifically on how practical it is. What do others think? Well at this writing, user reviews at the iTunes store are essentially split with a little more than half giving it a thumbs-down (Pella Windows fans??) and the rest thinking it's great (must be those app lovers again).

When they come out with an app that washes my windows for me, let me know.

Remodeling Tip #2 - Your Relationship With Your Contractor Is Everything

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:37:26 GMT

Whether you hire a general contractor, a design-build firm or your handy Uncle Hank, your project and your sanity will be better served if you hire someone you can work effectively with. Another way of saying that is to find someone you can get along with.

The reason this is so important is because you'll need to (or should) communicate with this person on a daily basis, discussing the plans for the day, dealing with questions and working through any hiccups that occur. You'll be around this person a lot too if you're home during the day when the work happens.

On our own remodel my wife and I interviewed a number of candidates and requested bids from three of them. We obviously wanted someone who could do the job effectively but we also wanted to be sure we could work with that person too. The interview process is the first step in learning more about prospective candidates. The next step is getting feedback from their references.

One of the contractors we met seemed very capable and informative. However he just couldn't stop talking. It only took one meeting for my wife to know that he would drive her crazy. Needless to say, he didn't get the job.

The person we awarded the contract to was someone who was personable, genuine and ended up being an advocate for us with the subcontractors. He was on the job site every day and offered insightful and helpful recommendations along the way. Yes, our project did have some minor bumps but they were easily worked out.

So how do you find these people? My best advice is to start with the recommendation of a friend or relative who's been happy with the person involved with their project. Just about anyone who's had work done will have an opinion of their contractor. Ask them specific questions about their experience. Even if they give a glowing report probe a little deeper and ask them about the "cons" that go along with all the "pros". Nobody is absolutely perfect. But some are a lot better than others.

And that brings me to one final point: if you work with a larger firm, be sure to interview the person who will be the project manager or whichever person you'll have daily contact with. You might feel great about a design/build firm's salesperson who initially makes contact with you. But if someone else is going to be the project manager, find out who they are and meet them too.

Ultimately you want a contractor that's dependable and comes with a good performance record. But you also don't want to go through a 3 month project dreading the arrival of that person every day.

Everything is a balance. Just remember that this person will be your primary contact throughout the duration of the project. You don't need to find someone you'll be pals with; just someone you can team with to achieve the goals for your home.

Remodeling Tip #1 - Planning Is Key

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:49:47 GMT

Now that our home remodel is done I thought I'd pass on those things that I found to be significant to the overall remodeling process. Some are "lessons-learned" and others simply stand out from the clarity afforded by hindsight. I'll start with this post and follow up with subsequent posts in the coming few weeks.

In my view the most important aspect of any remodel, be it large or small, is planning. Yes, it takes time and effort but in the long run, good planning will pay you dividends. Those dividends will be in the form of ensuring the job is completed on time, the space meets your expectations and you don't have to make hasty decisions which avoids costly changes. I break this concept down into three elements.

Planning for Design - The design is the focal point of the plan. It's what you want to come into reality. Whether you do this yourself or seek professional help, a good plan incorporates all of what your remodel will encompass.

You should clearly define your "wants and rants", those things that you want out of the remodel as well as what you hate right now and need to change (like insufficient light or a bad traffic pattern). Knowing what products you want and can afford like surfacing, cabinets and fixtures will help narrow the design and allow for more consistent and realistic bids for your project.

Planning for Logistics - Establishing a plan for how (and where) you're going to live during your remodel is important too. If you lose your kitchen or a bathroom during the project, you'll need to figure out how you're going to accommodate that temporary loss.

Will you need to set up a temporary kitchen? Where will you store the things that are currently housed in that lost space? Can you live amidst these changes or do you need to consider moving out until the remodel is complete?

Planning for Time - This was one that surprised me the most. If want to start the project at a certain date (assuming you're using a contractor and not doing this yourself) start your planning at least 6 months ahead of that. It took us 11 months between the time we first started planning for design and the first hammer blow.

You'd be surprised how long it takes (or should I say, how quickly the time flies by) to get your head around a design, what you'll put in that design, finding the right professionals (builders, designers, architects, etc.), figuring out how you'll pay for it and prepping your home and family.

Let's face it: life happens and it's not like you'll be focused on this planning process 24/7. Give yourself enough time and don't stress yourself out.

Good planning, knowing what's to come and preparing accordingly can make your remodel smoother and less stressful. It certainly helped on our remodel.

A House Or A Museum

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:43:36 GMT

With our home remodel complete and the weather finally turning tolerable (Minnesota winters seem to last for 10 months) my youngest son took the opportunity to kick the soccer ball around in our moonscape of a back yard. (If there's no grass, can I call it a back "yard")??

Anyway, grouchy old Dad comes out to admonish him not to kick the ball against the house. Who knows what dastardly things might occur like broken windows or cracked siding.

Feeling an apparent surge of confidence combined with self-defiance my son screamed "Lewis was right, this is a museum!" This of course was in reference to his brother's description of our new addition, when he was prevented from turning it into a WWE WrestleMania slamfest with his two other brothers earlier.

Despite our sons' displeasure with their so-called "restrictions" (which never changed before or after the remodel) my wife and I disagree. It's not a museum. But it does cause one to stop and think.

Do we furnish our spaces, remodel our kitchens and add on to our homes to make them "museums", to be seen only and not touched? I'd like to think that we don't. When we remodel I'd like to believe that we make choices to make our home better, more 'user-friendly' and in some cases, simply easier to live in. But I suppose there are those that create splendid spaces, all the while expecting them to look like magazine layouts from now until eternity. To each her or his own.

As my wife likes to say, our family has "oozed" into the new digs without a hitch. The changes are wonderful and all of us, the boys included, benefit. Yes, our choices on surfacing, appliances and furniture are a step up from where we were. But that doesn't mean we won't be ourselves.

We designed with some upgrades here and there but we're still going to live in our new space. And by live, well, maybe that does mean a wrestling match will have to occur now and then. We expect the new floors to get scuffed over time and the new wood trim to get nicked. It's a home more that it's a house.

So when you design your space and choose your products, what will be your ultimate expectations? A great place to be, or a museum?

Kohler Smart Divide Sink Review

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:13:56 GMT

Kohler's Smart Divide kitchen sinks are part of their cast iron product line. They include a unique design feature aimed at making the typical double-bowl kitchen sink more versatile.

You can read more about this innovative sink idea and what it's all about in my review of Kohler's Smart Divide.

The Completed Remodel - Before And After

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:30:01 GMT

Yes, it's finished (well, except for the exterior painting). Our remodel is done and we've eased right into the new space.

I've included more photos than I usually do, taken from the same positions and perspectives so you get a good idea of the transformation between the 'before' and 'after' configurations. I also touch on how the design fixed the problems we had in space layout and functionality.

Come and take a peek at the final chapter, Part 16 of Our Real Life Remodeling Adventure.

A Copper Kitchen Sink...At A More Affordable Price

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:50:57 GMT

You've no doubt seen countless photos of them in home and design magazines and books. I'm talking about those fabulous new kitchens replete with beautiful cabinetry and complementary countertops, surrounding an eye-catching sink. In a lot of those photos the sink is usually a material that's not found in every kitchen and copper is one of those materials. What makes a copper kitchen sink look even more fetching is an apron front style since it shows off more of the copper as it patinas with age.

Copper is a unique style choice because if it's left bare it develops its own unique character over time with subtle changes in color as the copper tones morph into brown and caramel hues. Copper also offers flexibility in the kind of surface finish you can have, with choices ranging from a smooth to a hammered finish. The beauty of copper is more than just skin deep however. Copper has natural antimicrobial properties that make it bad for germs which is good for you and me.

The downside of these kinds of sinks can sometimes be the price. Larger apron front copper sinks can get pricey depending on the maker and where you buy. However there are times when these sinks are offered on sale, like these sinks in the Whitehaus Copperhaus collection at 55 off.

Whitehaus makes unique kitchen and bath fixtures including sinks in materials like copper, fireclay and stainless steel. They're also designed in styles that aren't found in the big box stores. If you've ever tossed around the idea of updating your kitchen with a copper sink but were maybe deterred by the cost, now might be a good opportunity to take a second look.

Stuff Happens (To Any Product We Choose..Even Wood Floors)

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:49:04 GMT

If you've followed my newsletters or this blog for any length of time you'll notice a theme I come back to periodically that I call "stuff happens". It has to do with the fact that regardless of the type of products we choose for our home, sooner or later they're going to experience some sort of mishap. Understanding that these mishaps occur should play a role in how we choose them and what our long term expectations for them are.

I was reminded of this not too long ago when our new wood floor had it's first close encounter with the wet kind -- standing water. One of my kids came in the front door with snow-covered boots (wait...didn't we just add a new mudroom on the side of the house??). Being the dutiful son he took his boots off near the door rather than traipse through the rest of the house. Unfortunately there was no floor mat. The snow quickly turned to water which pooled up on the floor and then sat there.

How long it sat there is anybody's guess but suffice to say it was long enough. I found it some time later and after wiping it up I noticed that the grain at the edges of some of the boards had raised slightly. It was sufficient enough that you could see it from several feet away. A few days rolled into a few more days and it looked like the condition was there to stay.

Thankfully after a bit more time the wood dried out and returned to its old self. But it was a clear reminder that wood floors don't like standing water, even when they're finished with professional top coats designed to protect them.

So where am I going with all this you ask? I like to preach that regardless of how we think we're going to take care of something, inevitably 'stuff happens' that's out of our control and that the reality of this should play a part in how we choose products for our homes. Giving hard thought to how we really live helps to narrow down the thousands of options available to us when it comes time to choose these products, be they flooring, countertops or whatever else.

Would I choose wood floors again? Sure. But would I put them in a room where I expect to have snowy boots, perhaps unattended for some time? Nope. That's why we have a tile floor in the mudroom.

Now I just need to train the kids never to use the front door again.

A Better Downspout Extension

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:03:28 GMT

Yesterday I had gutters installed on the new addition to our home. After conferring with the installer on where the downspouts would be located I was reminded of a nifty product I came across not long ago. I like to call it the better downspout extension.

One of the problems that typically arises with gutter downspouts is when they're located in an inconvenient spot -- for instance, right by a sidewalk or too close to the basement window well. You can put a rigid extension on the end of the downspout to direct the water further away but sometimes those extensions end up getting in the way.

Enter the Rainguard downspout extension. It's a retractable extension that automatically rolls out when it's raining and then rolls back up close to the downspout and out of the way when the rain stops.

It's made from a polyethylene material that incorporates "memory" characteristics that allow it to roll back up once the water stops flowing through it. It's sort of like a wide flat hose with a spool on the end of it similar to those sprinkler hoses. Holes along the length of the tube and at the end distribute the water away from the house.

I personally haven't tried them yet but I plan on it. The thought of not having to always move the rigid downspout extension when I mow the grass is appealing. They're inexpensive enough at $10 to $17 depending on the length to give them a shot.

If the rainy season's heading your way and you want a convenient way to make sure the water stays away from your house this gutter extension might be worth a look-see. You can read more about them at the Rainguard website.

Is It Time For A New Garage Door?

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:08:42 GMT

It's not that often that you need to buy a new garage door. I've been in my own home now for 18 years and we still have the same door as the day we moved in. It doesn't look like it did 18 years ago but that was before the weather, age and countless tennis balls took their toll. It's looking a little forlorn so it probably won't be too long before a new door is in the cards (although I wonder if I should wait until my oldest son is finished with driver training first....).

What's there to know about a garage door you might ask? Well actually, there's a fair amount. They're not overly complicated but they are fairly large and there are a number of considerations to take into account when choosing a new one. Learn more in the article about choosing a garage door.

Doors That Save Space

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:35:44 GMT

One of the hurdles that comes along with adding or remodeling a space involves the doors that join these spaces. Traditional swing doors eat up a lot of real estate which is one reason I'm such a fan of pocket doors. They slide into an adjacent wall without taking up any swing space.

But pocket doors aren't always feasible, particularly if there are obstructions in the wall that the door would slide into. Hanging doors that slide along the outside surface of the wall are an alternative but they also have drawbacks too since you can't put anything on the wall that the door slides against.

I recently came across an interesting design concept that takes a unique approach to solve the problem of using doors in tight spaces. The actual product is called the Ergon door made by Italian firm Celegon S.A.S.

The key concept behind the Ergon door system is that it has a double-swing motion that pivots from the top of the door frame. When it's opened, the swing pivot point slides along the top of the door frame toward the edge, essentially cutting in half the amount of space that would be used by a conventional swing door.

Rather than do this product any more of a disservice through confusing descriptions, take a look at it in this Vimeo video.

It's probably not for every home but it's something to keep in the idea toolbox should you ever be faced with a door quandary of your own.

Choosing The Right Backsplash (..Or The Right Anything)

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:24:40 GMT

Choosing the right kind of kitchen backsplash might seem to some to be an overwhelming decision (what is it about home remodeling that makes it so synonymous with the word "overwhelm"). I know the feeling because with our recent home remodel we had to make this very decision.

What this blog post is really all about is more than just choosing a backsplash; it's about making decisions about the products and styles that you incorporate into your home. Sure, they're important decisions and you want to make the "right" choice. But what exactly does "right" mean?

Understanding what's available is the first step in any informed decision but from that point, you need to be somewhat ruthless. Narrow down your field of choices in order to make your decision easier and less excruciating. How do you do that? Limit your short list to a few options or features that you must have and that fit your budget. Don't get mesmerized by all the possible options that are available.

And don't be afraid that you'll make the "wrong" decision. A product for your home isn't life or death. It's not like you're choosing your life partner here.

To use our tile backsplash as an example, I took about a half hour to search the internet for various pictures. I opened a Microsoft Word document and quickly copied and pasted the pictures there to show my wife later on. What I was mainly looking for was themes and suggestions, not necessarily one that we'd copy exactly (though that would have been OK too if I had found it).

We eliminated some of the pictures immediately and culled the list down to a few styles we liked. We then threw a few of our own ideas into the mix. We ultimately ended up with a design that we're happy with and one that we think looks great in our kitchen. We didn't over-think the process.

More importantly, we didn't worry about all those other styles we didn't see.

Are there probably designs out there that we might ultimately like better? Perhaps. But we don't know if they exist and we're not going to spend any time thinking about them either. Because in the end, the backsplash will just blend into the background of our day-to-day existence, forming the backdrop to a busy life raising 3 boys. The significance of making these kinds of decisions diminishes quickly once they're made and time passes on.

Be informed about 'what's out there' when it comes to your remodeling decisions. By all means, do the due diligence. But don't waste too much time trying to making the "right" decision and don't fall into analysis-paralysis. Making the decision is the major hurdle anyway.

The Stone Fireplace - Use Real Or Faux Stone?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:04:39 GMT

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.

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

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:24:11 GMT

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.

The Light At The End Of The Remodeling Tunnel

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:55:30 GMT

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.

Getting Familiar With Lighting Pendants

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:57:30 GMT

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.

Are There Hiccups In Every Remodel?

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:53:07 GMT

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.

Remodeling Equals Dust, Dust & More Dust

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:59:33 GMT

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.

Stopping Those Cold Fireplace Drafts

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:46:49 GMT

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.

As a house geek of sorts, I try to put a positive spin on this by taking joy in the fact that it helps root out all those air leaks in the house, the ones that are harder to find when it's not so insanely cold.

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.

The Non-Dazzling But Essential Parts Of The Remodel

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:58:30 GMT

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.

Are Unfinished Wood Floors Still Worth It?

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:06:09 GMT

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.

Reducing Remodel Costs With Sweat Equity

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:54:41 GMT

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.

Insulation - Sexy Maybe, But Smart Too

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:53:19 GMT

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?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:35:03 GMT

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.

Making The Countertop Choice - Granite Gets The Nod

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:31:50 GMT

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.

The Addition Comes Together - Part 8 Of The Remodeling Adventure

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:53:47 GMT

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.

Starting To Build - Part 7 Of Our Remodeling Experience

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:09:21 GMT

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.

The Temporary Kitchen - Part 6 Of The Remodeling Adventure

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:21:38 GMT

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.

Getting The Hang Of Recessed Lighting

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:19:13 GMT

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.

Home Demolition - Part 5 Of The Remodeling Adventure

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:09:03 GMT

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.

Recycled Building Materials - Part 4 Of The Remodeling Journey

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:03:34 GMT

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.

Getting Ready - Part 3 Of The Remodeling Adventure

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:31:27 GMT

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.

The Remodeling Contract - Part 2 Of The Remodeling Adventure

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:08:41 GMT

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

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:02:51 GMT

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.

A Primer On Home Lighting Design

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:31:50 GMT

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.

Outdoor Cabinets For Those Who Like The Look Of Wood

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:51:50 GMT

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

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:19:56 GMT

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.