About.com Home Renovations

Dining Room Colors: Ask and You Shall Receive

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:33 +0000

I love my job; I learn something new every day.� Someone asks an innocent question like, "Can I use blue as a dining room color?"

I say, "I know nothing about dining room colors.� Nothing!!"

Then I figure, What the hey, let me look into it.

Funny thing is, many experts recommend against using blue as a dining room color.� Is there any blue food?� Blue is considered an appetite suppresant.� Yet lots of people paint dining rooms blue and survive just fine.

Dining room brown?� For some reason, brown is a hot color for dining rooms, and we suggest a few light browns.

In order of popularity, it appears that dining room colors tend to be:� 1.)� White (not very creative); 2.)� Browns; 3.)� Reds.� If you're reluctant to go full-on with the red, you can split the walls in half:� bottom half tan, top red.� Another interesting red option for dining rooms is to bring up the white wainscot about 5 feet, and then everything above that red.

Lots of choices.

Image:� Dutch Boy

Dining Room Colors: Ask and You Shall Receive originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 03:00:33.

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The China Connection: The Wonderful Addition to Our Homes That is Called "Chinese Drywall"

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:58:38 +0000

It's shipped into the United States, sometimes illegally.� It's white.� It's hazardous to our health.

Heroin?� Not the French Connection; this is the China Connection.

Today, the Consumer Safety Protection Commission's Drywall Information Center, after extensive study and even a trip by President Obama to China that included, in part, discussion of Chinese drywall, has issued this damning statement (links to a .pdf file):

We now can show a strong association between homes with the problem drywall and the levels of hydrogen sulfide in those homes and corrosion of metals in those homes.

Lovely.� Just lovely.

This is not a new thing.� We've known about the problems of Chinese drywall for some time.� But we've been waiting for a while for this test by private environmental testing firm Environmental Health & Engineering and Sandia National Laboratories.� They tested 51 houses.� There were 41 "complaint houses" (houses with suspected Chinese drywall problems) vs. 10 "non-complaint" or control houses that did not have Chinese drywall.

The real issue is that elevated hydrogen sulfide levels in homes cause copper and silver sulfide corrosion.� What this means is that pipes and wires corrode and break.

This isn't just nuisance we're talking about; this is actual danger.� If gas pipes and electrical connections corrode, inhabitants are not safe.� And it's not just copper and silver in direct contact with Chinese drywall.� Since this is hydrogen sulfide gas, it can infiltrate the entire house.

The China Connection: The Wonderful Addition to Our Homes That is Called "Chinese Drywall" originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 13:58:38.

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The Delightful Unruliness of Local Tile Shops

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:00:55 +0000

I was in my local Local Tile Shop the other day (repetition intended), and I'm sure you have one in your community.� If you don't, your community is the poorer for it.

The Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace, etc. cannot duplicate the wonderful and visually exciting mess and chaos that defines a Local Tile Shop.� They go by different names.� It's usually something like The Tile Stop, Tile for Less (that's mine), Tile 4 U, or something like that.

In fact, I don't trust the orderly cleanliness of The Home Depot's tile section.

My Local Tile Shop has:

A big glass box of serve-yourself popcorn.
Bins of odd-looking discount tiles.
Huge tiles leaning against walls.
Authentic wooden crates full of tiles.
Narrow passageways.
Staff who actually know a thing or two about tiles.

The Delightful Unruliness of Local Tile Shops originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 03:00:55.

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Bathroom Backsplash? It's Up to You.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:50:58 +0000

At times, I am confronted with deep philosophical questions; questions that have a bearing on the fate of humanity; questions like:

Do I need a bathroom backsplash?

Short answer:� Yes, of some sort.

Bathroom backsplashes can range from merely those little dams on the back of pedestal sinks to entire wall-fulls of backsplash (begging the question:� is this really a backsplash or a wall doing double-duty as a backsplash?� My head hurts just thinking about it).

With the world of slap-em-up bathroom backsplashes, none are easier than the one pictured here.� Since we're dealing with a vessel sink, you've got to do something here.� Vessel sinks are just basins glued on top of counters.� Here we've got twelve-inch marble tile set against the wall with a marble border on top.� Squirt bathroom-grade caulk at the juncture between backsplash and counter, wet finger, smooth out the caulk, and...� "Done!" he says, brushing his hands clean.

The hardest part is drilling the holes for the faucet.� Get the tile shop to do it for you.� It'll be just a few bucks or free, if you bought enough tile.

Image:� St. Thomas

Bathroom Backsplash? It's Up to You. originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 11:50:58.

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Toilets - Power! Power! Power!

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:24:01 +0000

In honor of my toilets retrospective, I considered writing a power ballad.� You know, something with a manly, mulleted throbbing late 1980s beat.� Something fist-pumping and uplifting and positive, written by Stan Bush, who penned such classics as "The Touch" and "She's Got the Power."

Why?� Because toilets are such a benign presence in our lives.� They are there when we need them.� Conversely, there are times when toilets aren't there fast enough for us.

They are white.� Lowly.� Quiet.� Or quiet, until the moment they scream back in anger at us:� "Hey, whadda you trying to do?"

And because of that, I felt that toilets deserved a boost.

Did you know there is a toilet called the Kohler Persuade?� Yes, it's what fancy industry mavens call a dual-flush toilet.

Persuade. I love it.

Toilets - Power! Power! Power! originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 19:24:01.

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Bathroom Design Ideas

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:56:37 +0000

A few things I've learned while looking at bathroom design ideas:

1. Tile Makes the Bathroom

Case in point, my favorite tile manufacturer, Hispano Azul, with their tiled bathroom pictured here.� They have designed this bathroom with massive 23.6 inch tile on the walls, acting as both wall tile and shower tile.� It's one of those funky shower-and-bathroom-are-one-in-the-same setups you only find in shelter magazines and remodeling shows...or renovation websites, like yours truly.

2. Free-Standing Pieces

Another tip is to use free-standing furniture in the bathroom.� Space is limited, of course, but that doesn't mean you can't be creative.

3.� Avoid Vanities

Most vanities, with their solid block-like appearance, can overwhelm a room.� Pedestal sinks or vessel sinks are remedies for this.

4.� Wainscotting is Good, But...

...it does seem to have run its course, trend-wise.� Still, I think it's a nice practical touch.� Here is some unusual non-beadboard wainscotting.

5.� Don't Be Afraid to Try Something Different

Paint the outside of your cast-iron tub.� Paint the door frames something besides white.� Splurge on a pricey tile medallion.

Image: Hispano Azul

Bathroom Design Ideas originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 08:56:37.

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Amy Matthews Really, Really Wants You to Have a Nice Xmas (and Thanksgiving)

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:25:22 +0000

Amy Matthews is a cipher.� An enigma.� An enigma wrapped in a cipher in a riddle in a...

You get the picture.� And you'd think that for a woman who is so visible to everyone, via her appearances on DIY Network's Sweat Equity, Bathroom Renovations, 10 Things You Must Know, we should all intimately know Amy Matthews.� Alas, we do not.

Internet forums buzz with "is she single" and "is she hot" type of stuff, sadly bypassing the fact that she is an accomplished home remodeler and licensed contractor.� And that her shows are strong on solid advice, with zero of the dumb drama that you often see on some DIY shows.

So, Amy volunteered to answer ten questions for an article which I so creatively titled 10 Things You Must Know About Amy Matthews.

Not only that, she gives great advice about quick-and-easy (and inexpensive) bedroom and bathroom remodels for the holiday season.� It's not too late!

One great tip that I had never even thought of:� buying materials from your local Habitat for Humanity Reuse Store.

Image:� 3M

Amy Matthews Really, Really Wants You to Have a Nice Xmas (and Thanksgiving) originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 14:25:22.

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The Bagster - "Think Outside the Box"

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:00:20 +0000

Am I the first person on Earth to use the phrase "think outside the box" in conjunction with Waste Management's new Bagster waste collection system?

Seems like it.� It's the perfect way to describe the service.

I first took notice of Bagster because it fills the gap between calling a hauling company for your remodeling waste and renting a steel dumpster.

Disposing of home remodeling waste is a huge issue that lots of homeowners never consider when they start ripping down those kitchen cabinets.� I've been there.� Suddenly, you have a waist-high pile of melamine-surfaced MDF particleboard on your kitchen floor.� The smile on your face slowly evaporates.� Where to put this stuff?

Problems to consider:

It won't fit in your garbage cans.
It doesn't really even belong in garbage cans.
A roll-off dumpster is great (and I advise people to get them whenever possible), but they begin at 10 yarders (ten cubic yards).
It's difficult to park dumpsters if you don't have a driveway.

Bagster is a bag that you buy (rent) for $29.95 at "select home improvement retailers" (hmm...who could that be?), unfurl in your front yard, and fill with up to 3 cubic yards or 3,300 pounds of remodeling or yard waste.� That comes to about 47 sheets of 1/2" drywall--not half-bad.� As with any steel dumpster, if you're filling with rock, gravel, concrete, or other dense material, you have a lower limit.

I cannot vouch for Bagster service.� In fact, I have no idea how much Bagster costs beyond the $29.95 charge for the bag because they don't service my area.� And yes, they do charge for weight on top of the $29.95.

UPDATE:� I tried a different zip code from my own.� In 20910 zip, the pickup charge is $129.00.

Image:� Waste Management

The Bagster - "Think Outside the Box" originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 03:00:20.

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Electric Radiant Floor Heating - Not Just a Luxury Anymore

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:00:23 +0000

Whether or not you consider electric radiant floor heating to be a luxury all depends on where you live.

For those who live in cold climates, electric radiant floor heating feels very, very good on a cold day.� But my argument has always been that you shouldn't feel radiant floor heat.� The thermostat should be set high enough to take the chill off the floor, but not high enough to heat up the room (or blow your monthly electric bill to smithereens).

One major company, Warmly Yours, claims that electric radiant floor heating can be used as a primary heat source.� Even the U.S. Department of Energy says that it can be used when you need to extend your heating to a distant locale--a new addition, for example.

I still look at it as a way to supplement your primary heat source, but that's just me.

When the manufacturers say that electric radiant floor heating costs "just pennies a day," that's not too far from the truth.� You can program the floor thermostat to run during certain times of the day (why heat the floor at midnight?) and/or you can set it at a temperature, which means the system will turn on or off as needed.

Image:� Watts Radiant

Electric Radiant Floor Heating - Not Just a Luxury Anymore originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 03:00:23.

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Travertine Floors - Not for Your Average Home

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:39:09 +0000

Travertine floor...� Now we've really hit the big-time.

If you're considering travertine floor for your home, take note:� it's not for everyone.� And before you say, "Who is that snob?" I'll say, "It will probably never be in my home."

Not that I don't want it (I like it).� I especially like the travertine-and-slate mix pictured here.� But here are the reasons:

Travertine flooring is expensive.
I have a 5 year-old son.

First, the bit about the boy.� Travertine is limestone, and due to its composition it does not fare well when it comes in contact with any kind of acidic or corrosive substance.

Orange juice is regularly mentioned as being Travertine's Public Enemy #1, but think also of:� tomatoes, vinegar, etc.� This means that travertine--at least unpolished, unsealed travertine--may not be the best type of flooring for the kitchen.� That, combined with the dirt and grime of boys, means that travertine is more like a "grown-up" flooring material.

Travertine Cost

Did you think travertine would be cheap?� The travertine here (Jeffrey Court) comes in at about $10/square foot.� Some varieties of tumbled travertine can fall in the $8-$10/square foot range.� And of course, you can always buy higher, should your heart desire.

As a reference point, Brazilian cherry flooring can come in for as low as $5/square foot.

Even though $10/square foot may not seem bad, consider how much it would cost in a 400 square foot room ($4,000), and then adding in installation costs (maybe another $3,300).

Image: Jeffrey Court/South Cypress Floors

Travertine Floors - Not for Your Average Home originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 09:39:09.

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