April 30th, 2012 | Published in interior design
With spring and the renewed focus it tends to bring to lighten up our interiors, here are Jonathan Adler‘s 10 Commandments for a Happy Chic Home.
X-Bench in Venetia Aqua by Jonathan Adler
Orange accents and accessories, all by Jonathan Adler
To read more from Jonathan Adler or to browse his product offerings, click here.
April 27th, 2012 | Published in plumbing
Plumbing tips aren’t hard to come by, but plumbing tips from the experts are. Mr. Rooter® Plumbing has dedicated the space below to answering your questions with knowledge that comes from years of experience.
Clogged drains may require a video camera inspection if you have repeated problems. Some clogs can be easily fixed, but if you can’t locate the trouble yourself, you should call Mr. Rooter Plumbing professional to do a complete video camera inspection of your plumbing system.
A company properly equipped for this task, such as Mr. Rooter Plumbing, will provide a complete pipe inspection system to determine the source of your problem. If you require a video camera inspection, chances are the clogged drains are being caused deep within the system. Video camera inspection is an important tool in both detection and fixing the problem correctly. Different clogs require different solutions. You may have debris lodged in the system or tree roots growing into your pipes. Video camera inspection is an excellent way to prescribe treatment.
For more information, visit the Mr. Rooter website www.mrrooter.com.
To post your plumbing question visit HomeRenovationGuide.com or comment below.
April 26th, 2012 | Published in decor, design, DIY
by Daniel Nicklin
DIY can be a great way to make repairs or improvements to your home. Not only do you avoid the expense of hiring a contractor, but nothing can match the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve created something lasting and durable with your own hands. However, even though DIY is an inexpensive alternative, costs can still add up. By following these tips, however, you can cut down on some of the major expenses.
Proper Planning
Unexpected difficulties are a major source of cost overruns. The key to avoiding these unanticipated challenges is a detailed plan. Make sure that you know the materials you’ll need for your project as well as all the key measurements. Prepare a contingency plan, taking into account possible dangers. Knowing what projects you’ll be undertaking in advance allows you to save money in other ways; many of the other tips on this list relay on good advance planning.
The Right Tools for the Job
A good tool set is a vital resource for any DIY enthusiast, but not even the most prepared DIYer can have the right tool for every job. If you have a need for a specific piece of equipment, consider contacting a tool hire company rather than purchasing it. Specialised tools are unlikely to come in handy for more than one task, and are often expensive compared to tools with a broader range of applications. If you only need a tool for one job, hiring can save you both money and storage space.
Economies of Scale
Long-term planning can help save you money over multiple DIY projects. Many items are more affordable when you buy them in bulk. If you need to buy wood, fasteners, paint or other necessary supplies, buying enough for several projects at once can cut down on your expenses. Storing supplies can be challenging if your available space is limited, but otherwise buying in bulk is a good way to keep costs down.
Shopping Around
Comparison shopping for materials is a great way to find bargains. Prices for DIY materials can fluctuate over time and between retailers, allowing an alert shopper to acquire necessary supplies at low prices. Don’t confuse saving money with buying cheap materials; buying low-quality items can prove to be a false economy, leading to additional expense in the future. If you keep your eyes open and plan in advance, however, you can find quality material at low prices.
Getting Help
The essence of DIY is, of course, doing your home repairs by yourself. In fact, however, not every task is suitable for home repair. If your plan indicates that a mistake on a project will require costly repairs, you might want to consider hiring a specialist contractor. Although a qualified contractor can be expensive compared to doing a job yourself, getting a job right the first time is always a more economical option than having to do it twice.
April 25th, 2012 | Published in bathroom, design, interior design, kitchen
Tiles by Ann Sacks & Artistic Tile (from top left): A.T. Sinuous feature wall; A.T. Chateau collection; A.S. Michael S. Smith Cosmati collection; A.T. Horta collection; A.T. collections; A.T. Celestial Field collection
When it comes to decorating and designing spaces, many overlook the impact of tile on the finished project. There is a limited budget and the choice is made to spend the money on cabinetry or appliances, for example, but to cheap out on the tiles. Budgetary constraints are understandable, but no one has ever said that the same tile must be used throughout a space. In fact, a simple hint of tile can be more dramatic than using the same tile throughout. Select a tile you LOVE and use it as an accent — in the backsplash, around the shower, as a border on the floor… you are limited only by your imagination.
A couple of New York-based companies have gorgeous, unique tile designs: Artistic Tile and Ann Sacks. (Both are shown above. There are certainly many others, but I love some of the new product offerings from these two.)
Important to note is that you can add dimension and drama without adding colour, as exhibited by these tone-on-tone designs, below.
Tiles from Ann Sacks & Artistic Tile (from top left): A.S. Circa collection; A.T. Ziva collection in Lake Blue; A.S. Circa collection; A.S. Barbara Barry Frame collection; A.T. Elevations collection; A.T. Zebrano Brushed Marble; A.T. Chantecaille
April 24th, 2012 | Published in decor, design, DIY
by Vicky Sanderson
A little imagination - and a lick of paint - goes a long way. Good tape is critical for getting sharp lines, so stick to a good name brand, like ScotchBlue
We’re glad to report that the old, restrictive rules of decorating, including such gems as “always stick to one style or era in a room to achieve a consistent look” have gone the way of the Dodo. Now, it’s all about layering an interesting mix of old and new and blending a variety of textures and finishes to create spaces that are highly personal and delightfully eclectic.
Happily, getting the look can be both economical and eco-friendly. Our suggestion? Individualize your décor by finding inexpensive, unassuming pieces on classified sites like Kijiji www.kijiji.ca. Then, with a lick of paint, and a little TLC, transform them into one-of-a-kind décor.
Recently, I created several home décor gems out of gently-used items easily found on Kijiji, which has recently added outdoor items, appliances and reno materials as distinct categories, making searching even easier. If you can’t immediately find what you’re looking for, sign up for an alert when an item that matches your search term comes online.
Here are a couple of projects that I hope inspire you to reduce, reuse and redecorate.
An old plate becomes a distinctive time piece
Individual plates make great wall clocks. All you need is a plate, along with clocks hands (they come in cute shapes, such as knives and forks, hammers and screwdrivers or fishing rods) and a movement, both of which are available for less than $10 from Lee Valley www.leevalley.com , which also carries adhesive-backed numbers and dots.
To make, slowly and carefully drill a small hole in the centre of the plate. Place a piece of tape over the drill spot to keep it from cracking and added a few drops of water as you go along to keep the drill bit cool and lubricated (mineral oil works for that, too.). Then attach the movement and hands.
Check out the fabric section, too, and don’t discount linen tablecloths just because it has a tear or stain. Use still-good stuff into pillow shams, napkins, or tea and guest towels.
All it tooks was ScotchBlue tape and a daub of paint to create a one of a kind pilow to match other decor pieces
Plain pillow shams can be dressed up with fabric paint. I tried two methods. One was to simply tape straight lines with Scotch Blue tape www.scotchblue.com along a pillow and paint it out in cheery colours. For another pillow, I made my own stencil by hanging a length of the tape from a doorway and, using hole-punchers with two different sizes of holes, randomly punching a pattern. You can also get special edger punches with various designs. Remember to wipe excess paint from a small brush and brush lightly on the fabric (better here to do a couple of light coats than one thick one.)The same technique works on a glass vase. For a subtle effect, Krylon’s frosted glass spray www.krylon.com.
A bit of paint, and some good tape - try ScotchBlue - and you have a one of a kind pilow to match your other decor pieces
Paint out the messy bits on old pieces - and leave the rest as is
And don’t forget that painting stripes or patterns on a wall is an easy way to pump up the look of an entire room.
Not all pieces need to be entirely made over. I had no interest in stripping or painting the ornate legs on another older end table, but the top of it was damaged. I cleaned and oiled the legs before sanding the top and smoothing out dents with wood filler. On went a coat of primer (don’t skip this step!) and then a layer of Jute from Pittsburgh Paints and a narrow trim with Farrow and Ball’s Blazer — a warm, orangey-red. (Ahem – the ScotchBlue tape came in handy here as well – because my hand is not that steady.) I’ve since discovered that mixing original finishes with freshly painted surfaces is a trend that’s turning up in décor mags and on hip design blogs. Which makes me, of course, one of the cool kids. Better late than never, I guess!
April 23rd, 2012 | Published in moving, safety
by Nicola Crozier
As anyone in the building and construction industry is aware, hauling all of your essential tools and materials around requires some form of van. Filling the family car with muddy work boots, brick dust and screws won’t go down well with the rest of the family, so you need your own dedicated van, but as any man with a van can testify, driving a van filled with heavy objects presents a number of issues.
Unlike driving a normal family car, the driver needs to consider various factors before setting off to make the drive to the location as simple as possible. Here are just four factors that need taking into account:
The Contents
First and foremost, you need to consider that some of the contents may be fragile. You don’t want to be throwing your van around a bend – like you would your normal car – only to hear the dreaded sound of everything in the back falling over and getting damaged, leaving you unable to do your work and earn your money, a nightmare for any self-employed builder. By giving yourself plenty of time to reach your location on time, you shouldn’t have to rush anywhere.
The Essentials
Ensuring that you have everything you need for all eventualities in your van will make sure that you’re covered for anything that may happen. You should have a high-visibility jacket for working on a site anyway, so ensuring you have one in the van is a must as it means you’re likely to be visible to road users if your van breaks down – a multi-purpose essential in that respect. By taking only the things you need for that particular job, you aren’t carrying around any additional weight which makes maneouvering the van more difficult, and also uses more fuel, so it actually saves money too.
Balance
Spread the load of the items in the back to make driving simpler. If everything is piled on one side, you’ll find that the handling of the vehicle is compromised. Similarly if all of the heavy items are at one end, you’ll find it more difficult to pull away or stop. Placing a significant amount of the load around the wheel arches could cause them to drag on the tires, potentially damaging them and even causing a puncture so make sure that you avoid overloading these areas, but placing the goods in different corners is a good idea as it really does spread the weight across the chassis.
Momentum
With more weight on board courtesy of all of the necessary tools, it does take more engine power to build up speed, but most importantly it takes a lot more braking effort to stop it. Give yourself a much greater distance between yourself and the vehicle in front to ensure that you have as much time as possible to stop.
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This article was written by Nicola Crozier, a freelance writer currently working with uShip. Nicola has written about a variety of topics, ranging from vehicle safety tips to home removals.
April 20th, 2012 | Published in plumbing
Plumbing tips aren’t hard to come by, but plumbing tips from the experts are. Mr. Rooter® Plumbing has dedicated the space below to answering your questions with knowledge that comes from years of experience.
Today’s plumbing jobs offer more opportunities than ever, including jobs with large construction companies, national plumbing chains, and government contractors. There are also self-employment options after plumbers have completed apprenticeship programs.
Female plumbers are discovering unique opportunities with some companies that specialize in “women-only” services. One example is the U.K. based company Plumb-Hers, which advertises itself as an alternative service for those who feel intimidated by inviting a stranger into the home for plumbing services.
Whether you are seeking a specialized niche career as a steamfitter, pipelayer, or residential plumber, the demand for plumbers and plumbing technology far exceeds the supply of qualified people. Career prospects for future plumbers are very bright.
For more information, visit the Mr. Rooter website www.mrrooter.com.
To post your plumbing question visit HomeRenovationGuide.com or comment below.
April 19th, 2012 | Published in bathroom, design, kitchen
Caesarstone USA, Inc. made the first of several stops on their Color Pop-Up Tour in Seaport, New York hosting a two-day event in honor of their 17 new colors on April 4th and 5th. Consumers, trade partners, and industry leaders were among the guests invited to share this unique and innovative experience. Several well-knowns from the designer/architect community as well as social media experts were guest speakers at the 7 events held throughout the 2 days. At the center of it all was the huge, lighted Caesarstone dome which provided a truly exceptional space for event guests to gather against the New York City skyline and waterfront and made quite an impression on the attendees and passersby. The interior, designed by architect Dan Brunn, incorporated huge slabs of the new Caesarstone colors, as well as featured the 17 winning mood boards of the LUXE Interiors + Design “SET THE MOOD” inspiration board design challenge.
“Caesarstone’s first POP UP Color Tour was incredible in every way. We positioned Caesarstone as truly a leader, unique and innovative in everything we do — from innovating new colors, to our new ad campaign, to embracing social media to our spectacular POP UP Color Tour. The positive feedback and respect we got from all visitors can’t be described in words. This is a new era for our industry. This is where we shine as a company — we defined new game rules that set us apart from all others,” commented Sagi Cohen – CEO, Caesarstone USA, Inc.
While the 8 latest Classico colors (Shitake, Linen, Wild Rice, Late Autumn, Wild Rocks, Belgian Moon, Haze, and Atlantic Salt) have been on the market for some time, the new beautifully textured White Crocodile in the Motivo line, and the 8 colors in the recently launched and elegantly patterned Supremo line took center stage. In fact, Caesarstone’s new ad campaign is centered on the Supremo series. On Day 1, the “Supremo Girls” were unveiled — 3 stunning 10′x5′ artistic slabs showcasing the unique colors and patterns of Supremo using patented technology exclusive only to Caesarstone.
“A gorgeous brand like Caesarstone needed an equally beautiful campaign to launch their newest and most prestigious line. I think we gave that to them in our idea for Supremo. We simply used the surface itself as the inspiration for our mysterious portraits that reflect the potential costumers themselves. Because any surface, especially a Supremo surface, is a reflection of the customer and his or her desires. In the end Caesarstone isn’t just selling kitchen counters, what they are really doing is creating surfaces that add to the pageant of one’s life,” said Joe Kayser – CCO, Y&R:CA
After the Press Conference, AIA continuing education course, luncheon with Caesarstone’s Director of Business Development Ed Rogers, and mood board reveal, Day 1 turned into night kicking off with the LUXE Interiors + Design Opening Party. Hundreds were in attendance, including TV personality Ty Pennington. Day 2 featured a luncheon, NKBA continuing education course, fabricators appreciation event with Stone World, and closing event with House Beautiful’s Sean Sullivan and Kate Kelly Smith, and a social media presentation by Eqal’s Ashley Richardson.
“The vision that I had for the ‘POP UP Color Tour’ was one that created an experience that touched all of the senses. It’s easy to talk about branding and what the brand means, but what I wanted to achieve and to present was something with depth and dimension, something that could be felt and explored. I wanted to allow our partners, consumers and industry experts an opportunity to really experience Caesarstone and to walk away with a connection to us and understanding of why we are the industry leader,” said, Karen Schakarov – Vice President, Marketing Caesarstone USA, Inc.
Caesarstone has yet to announce their next stop on the Color Pop-Up Tour, though it is sure to be an innovating and awe-inspiring experience from the well-established global leader in the quartz industry. So keep an eye out for the Caesarstone dome, perhaps coming to a city near you.
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About Caesarstone USA
Caesarstone is the original quartz countertops and surfaces manufacturer. Caesarstone is headquartered in Southern California with sales divisions and major distribution centers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Colorado, Miami, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis and Dallas. Caesarstone’s Independent Distributors are located in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Philadelphia, North Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Arizona and Utah. Caesarstone’s premium quartz countertops and surfaces complement any design, from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. Caesarstone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide. Offering a Residential Lifetime Warranty, Caesarstone countertops and surfaces are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. Caesarstone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and is in compliance with stringent international environmental standards including ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), and NSF (public health and safety).
Using only sustainable materials, Caesarstone is GREENGUARD certified and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). For more information about Caesarstone and its products, please visit the company’s website at http://www.caesarstoneus.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).
April 19th, 2012 | Published in basement, flooring, green, kitchen
StonePeak is excited to be a part of a new case study showcasing the latest and greatest eco-friendly construction material designed for sustainability and energy efficiency. The Green Idea House is a 2,100 square foot home that is being remodeled to give it a modern look that says it is possible to be both environmentally sensitive and beautiful.
The house is being used in a long term case study put on by Southern California Edison to measure the effects of green products on energy consumption. The great thing about this project is they are using affordable products in a replicable design, so the concept can be reused with similar costs to standard housing.
The owners of the house are not developers, architects, or manufacturers, but actually the family that will be living there. While making the selection for their “green” house they were strictly looking to partner with businesses that are engaged in sustainable activities.
“We want materials that will stand the test of time and hold up for our active family. The selection process was made easier because of the wide variety of sizes StonePeak has to offer,” said house owner Monica Fortunato.
Upon their search they found that StonePeak exemplified these qualities and decided to install our tile in two of their rooms:
“We chose from the Cesare collection because the color variation in the tile is one of the most beautiful tiles we have seen.”
“We chose from the sky collection for our laundry and downstairs bath because of the thru-color and beauty of the tile.”
The Green Idea House will be holding tours of the house for the next three years, including The Solar Tour and the Earth Day Tour, along with several green building workshops.
During these tours you can speak with an Energy Upgrade California contractor and learn how you can:
How it’s Done
The tours will showcase the innovative technologies that make the Green Idea House net zero energy, zero carbon and responsive to the environment in terms of water, waste, and toxicity.
The concept of a net zero house is to harvest as much energy as you use. With the state of California attempting to make all new residence net zero by 2020, the question arose in Robert Fortunato’s mind, “How are we going to get there? Can we get there? Let’s build it today!”
One of the key features of the Green Idea House is a massive overhang pointing south. While the appearance may seem odd at first glance, the functionality of it is quite genius. Simply put, during the summer months when the sun is high, the overhang will help shade the house helping it keep cool. The opposite effect occurs during the winter months as when the sun is low; its rays will come in below the overhang penetrating large windows, thus helping to heat the house. By using an air to water heat exchange they are able to harvest the ambient air from the garage and use it to help heat the rest of the house. This effortless process can help with up to 50% of the energy it takes to heat and cool a standard house.
“The Green Idea House is like a stone soup,” Robert remarked. “When everyone contributes it’s amazing what can happen.”
We will keep you updated with pictures and information as the house becomes complete.
For more articles visit http://blog.stonepeakceramics.com.
April 18th, 2012 | Published in DIY, remodeling, renovating
For those of you who like to roll up your sleeves and get down to business, there are many resources you can utilize. With more and more people turning to DIY options tons of websites and resources have popped up in the past few years. Don’t know where to get started? Check out some of our tips below.
Pinterest
The newest social media craze these days is Pinterest. If you aren’t familiar, Pinterest is a virtual pin board filled with millions of great ideas. Whether you are looking for the perfect home décor idea or a great DIY project, Pinterest has got you covered. This site is a perfect way to keep new ideas organized and in one location. You do need an invite to join the site, but don’t fret—it’s easy to get one. You can either request an invite (usually takes a week max to receive) or you can find a friend to invite you. Pinterest surpassed LinkedIn this week as the third most used social media site so chances are you know someone who is on it.
DIY Network
This is a great resource, and we can also lump HGTV and Better Homes and Garden into this section as well. All of these publications have TONS of resources and ideas for the DIY reno at heart. With no end in sight for the economy to pick up, more and more people are turning to DIY options for home renovation. Making resources easier to find.
There’s an App for That
Between tablets and smart phones you can hold a great amount of information in your hands. Stylelist has come up with a list of 21 apps to take advantage of. Some apps include:
Pick Your Friends and Family’s Brain’s
Collaboration is a great thing. The more you talk about your home renovation plans, the more people are going to start talking about their experiences. You never know what kind of tips you can get. Friends and family are a great place to get a wealth of information quickly.
Are you a DIYer? Give us your tips in the comments below.
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Courtesy guest post by Frank Merryman and Protex Pest Control providing expert pest control service and Houston pest control protection since 1978.