Using Stone in Your Bathroom

If you are anything like me, you love a classy, well thought out bathroom, where function is as important as style. If you are anything like me, you have poured over magazines, internet sites and idea homes looking for the perfect materials for your bathroom renovation before getting so utterly frustrated at the endless combinations and options that you flounce into the bathroom and say, "I give up! We are just going to have to leave the (pea green/mustard yellow/dusty rose/insert gross color here) tile in this bathroom for another 25 years!" 

If that sounds even a little bit like you, (minus the flouncing) then may I recommend a material that is going to make your day/week/month, by being your "go to" element in your new bathroom project. 

Drum roll please.....STONE. 

Now, I know what you might be thinking. That stuff that people put in their yards? Yup. That stuff that people line their fireplace with? Yup. As it turns out, the natural beauty of stone shines through no matter what room you put it in. In recent years, what was once a total luxury product is now much more affordable and as a result has become more and more popular in building and renovation projects. 

Vanity 
A stone sink or vanity can be made to look a variety of different ways. For the natural look, it can literally be a piece of stone that looks like it was just plucked from the ground with a large hole in it or it can be on the other end of the spectrum and be a super chiseled modern sink that looks like it came from the future. A natural stone sink can also withstand the wear and tear of everyday use much better than a porcelain or ceramic sink can, so while it may be more expensive up front, due to the durability of stone, it will last for many years. 

Shower 
Modern showers have perfected the art of bringing the outside in for the ultimate in relaxation. Using stone in your shower is an excellent addition to creating a bathroom retreat that can be beautiful and also practical. 

Flooring and Walls
One of the easiest ways to introduce stone into your bathroom is through the flooring and walls. There are many stone tiles to choose from, all with different colors, shapes, sizes and prices. Stone flooring should be sealed with an anti-slip sealant that prevents people from slipping when it is wet, but putting down a bathmat is always a good idea when getting out of the shower. 

This guest post was written by The Rock Yard Inc., suppliers of stone in Atlanta GA. We offer a variety of natural and manufactured stone in Atlanta, GA for your everyday stone needs. With two convenient locations in Gainesville and Duluth, we supply stone for contractors and residents in the North Georgia area with our huge selection and low prices.

Kitchen remodeling for the Jetsons

Guest Post by David Coeyman

Kitchen remodeling has gone hi-tech.  The home theater system, which used to be located in the den, has found its way to the kitchen, in modern times.  The modern kitchen takes the place of the living, dining room, and den – combined.  It has become the central hotspot of the house for large parties, small group gatherings, or simply hanging out with the family.

Women have known all along that the kitchen is the heart of the home, but with the Sci-Tech boom, men are now more freely accepting of roles that they can take in the kitchen as well.  Of course, men may feel that their kitchen role might just be to party and watch the game.  Regardless of gender, the kitchen is a social gathering for both men and women, as we all love to talk while food is being prepared, and to snack while watching the game.

It starts with the most simple form of entertainment, known as the breakfast bar, also called the kitchen island.  The breakfast bar provides just a little extra preparation space, and is often used for eating quick meals, but has now been tapped in with USB ports and LCD televisions.  Kids can plug in to their music while doing their homework and charging their mp3 players.  If they need to rely on the Internet, they can simply log-in via the kitchen island.  No longer is the breakfast bar just that extra space for preparing food.

How does your hi-tech kitchen help you?  Well it’s easy!  Modern technology has allowed us to clean with the push of a button.  For example, dishwashers these days can clean your dirty tableware with 170 degree steam, in less than 15 minutes.  Remember when glass-tops were only available in electric stoves?  Well not everybody likes electric stoves; in fact, most cooks prefer gas stoves to their electric counterparts.  Now, glass-tops are available on gas stoves with retractable burners.  The burners can be retracted to be flush with the glass-top, making cleanup a cinch!  This leaves the stove with a sleek and modern look.

We know it’s not only about practicality, it’s about entertainment.  Touch screens have invaded the kitchen, and can control nearly every appliance.  New recess lights allow you to change colors to set the mood in your kitchen.  LCD televisions can also be found in the range’s vent hood.  What a better time than to watch the Food Network while sautéing garlic scapes and zucchini in EVOO also known as extra-virgin olive oil, while your girlfriends, keeping you company, aren’t missing the show!  LCD televisions can even be found on the refrigerator door!

As the modern family is living in a smaller home than they did 10 years ago, space must be used wisely.  When remodeling your kitchen, think about the heart of your home.  Where should it be?  Where could it be?  The kitchen is an ideal spot!  The kitchen is the den, the living room, the family room, and the dining room combined – keeping the party all in one spot!


If you are ready to take your kitchen from the dark ages to modern day, Aspect contracting is available to assist you with any kitchen remodeling in Maryland inquiries.

Made the old brick hearth shine! WOW

Today I helped my friend Dioni update a brick fireplace. We were both ready to tackle the job after we found that the masonry fireplace paint we wanted came in this gorgeous twilight taupe. As you can see it turned out beautifully, and Dioni was so amazed to see that it looked like real brick and not a painted over mess. Her husband said he thought that someone came in and rebricked the old hearth. Little did he know (at least until we told him) that we did it all by ourselves. I am a veteran of using this product but Dioni was skeptical but she wanted to do something to help lighten her living room and she was tired of the drab look of the old red brick fireplace. So what do you think? Did we do a good job? Do you like the amazing difference? WE DO!

The products we used:

Masonry fireplace paint

Black Firebox Paint

Brick Fireplace Cleaner

Fireplace Glass Doors

Ideas for Renovating & Remodeling Your Home

When it comes to renovating or remodeling any place in your home, there are a million different things you can do. Of course, what you can actually do depends entirely on your budget and your imagination- not to mention your skills and the amount of free time you have to dedicate to renovating and remodeling the home. Sometimes, all you need is a good idea and some dedication, and your home will be remodeled and renovated in ways that may have never been imaginable before. In case you have a brain drain when it comes to renovation and remodeling ideas, here are some different things you can do in all the major rooms of the house:

Renovating and remodeling the living room
The living room is a great place for a renovation or remodel because it is the primary room that people see when visiting the house, and it is the prime spot when hosting any guests of any kind. Also, the living room tends to be the biggest room in the house, and thus has the most possibilities for renovation and remodeling per square foot. The living room also tends to have the most furniture in it, when compared to other rooms in the house, which adds just that many more renovation and remodeling possibilities.

1. Change the carpet- this can be costly, but can do wonders in the room.
2. Rearrange the furniture- a simple switch-around can do a lot to change the feel of a room.
3. Rugs- a new rug can really liven up a room, you may be surprised by the result.

Renovating and remodeling the bathroom
The bathroom may be one of the smallest rooms, but it is also one in which you may have a lot of guests- and is therefore a great place to renovate and remodel. The space may be limited, but the possibilities are not nearly as limited as you may think- there are all kinds of things that can be done to make a bathroom sparkle.

1. Cabinets- changing up the cabinets can make a bathroom look brand new.
2. Toilets and tubs- getting a new toilet or tub can change the whole feel of a bathroom, and will really make it sparkle like new.

Renovating and remodeling the bedroom
The bedroom is the most private area of the home, and the goal of a bedroom design should be to make you feel comfortable and at ease as much as possible.

1. Cleaning up the closet- The closet tends to be the most cluttered part of the room, and maybe even the most cluttered part of the house.
2. New dressers- a shiny, new dresser can really liven up a room and breath fresh air into it.
3. The walls- Putting up a nice piece of artwork or something on the walls can add a whole different level of peacefulness to a bedroom.

Alexis is an interior design maven. She writes for a variety of sites and loves looking at preferred builder floor plans.

HOW TO AFFORDABLY REMODEL YOUR BATHROOM

Have you ever considered remodeling your bathroom? Well you must have thought of that a thousand times but there’s just not enough money to have it done, right? Remodeling your bathroom is not that easy, but take note that there are lots of ways you can do to make it done.

So how can you affordably remodel your bathroom? Here’s how:

1.       Assess the type of remodelling you need to do. The first step to affordably remodel your bathroom is to evaluate what type of remodelling is necessary. Some people just tend to get their bathrooms remodelled without any clear cut plan so they end up spending more for what is really necessary. Take note that the type of remodelling your will do for your bathroom will need a specific budget. Try to assess whether you really need to get everything remodelled or simply just portions of the bathroom such as the floor material. Usually, having everything remodelled would cost more than getting only parts of the bathroom done.

2.       Stick to your budget. Once you have carefully identified the type of remodelling you need for your bathroom, the next step is to think of your budget and make sure that you stick to it. Materials and labor cost are the major financial issues you need to address. In order to save money, you can simply opt for cheaper materials but make sure that they are of good quality. You also have to consider the material, it is easy to set up labor cost would also be less.

3.       Save up. In order to meet your budget, you also have to save your money for the remodelling cost. Why not save at least 15 percent of your salary every month? You can also avoid spending money on “luxuries” or things which you really do not need at home. It will help a lot if you set aside a portion of your money because you can never really tell in case there are things that need to be repaired when you have your bathroom remodelled.

4.       Check costs on your location. Usually, cost of living would determine the cost of hiring contractors to remodel your bathroom. For example, in high end cities like New York, a contractor may charge as high as $75 an hour. In other states, it could be as low as $25 an hour. These are the factors you also need to consider when setting your budget. If you live in a state with higher cost of living, you can opt to remodel your bathroom yourself or seek the help of friends who know how to remodel. This can help you save on labor costs.

Remodeling your bathroom can be done even with the looming economic recession. Just try to follow these tips and you will definitely get things done.

This is a guest post written by HowtoGetFinanced.com. Here, you will find all sorts of advice when it comes to your finances.

How to Update Your Kitchen on a Budget

If you are getting tired of your kitchen and crave a new look, but don't have the budget for a whole refit, you will be happy to learn that there are plenty of things you can do to satisfy your need for a change. A little bit of creativity can make a very small budget go a long way and give you the look of a whole new kitchen without the mess, inconvenience and expense of a new kitchen suite.

Refresh Your Fixtures and Fittings

Simply changing the handles on your doors and drawers can totally overhaul your kitchen. Swap wooden knobs on a rustic country kitchen for metal ones to update the whole look. Dark iron colour metals look great on wooden cupboards, or try brushed aluminium on a white kitchen.

Changing your light fittings is another easy thing to do; swap pendant lights for close fitting down-lighters (get help from an electrician wherever necessary!) or add lighting inside glass-fronted cabinets or underneath wall cupboards to brighten up dark corners. Taps can be expensive to buy, but adding a new set will refresh the look of the kitchen, or you could really splash out and change your whole sink; swapping plastic for stainless steel or ceramic will add a touch of style.

Splash Some Color

There are all sorts of paints available for creating different effects on your cupboard doors, or you could simply replace them. If you go down the painting route, take the doors off the cupboards and lay them out flat to avoid drips and get a better finish; be careful to choose your colours wisely as what might look great on one door in the shop could look totally different when it is across an entire kitchen.

Small kitchen appliances like toasters and kettles come in a wide range of colours that can be a good way to brighten up your kitchen. Pick a colour and add matching tea towels, oven gloves and storage jars to tie the look in across the whole room.

Freshen Up Your Floor

Changing the flooring in your kitchen is an easy way to update the décor and can be done relatively cheaply. Have a look for roll ends of lino if you have a fairly small space to cover; there are many new types of lino about that look great and are warmer to walk on than tiles. Tile paint is an option, but be sure to choose one that has been designed for floors as it will scratch easily otherwise; you can also get paint to go directly onto the scred of a concrete floor if you can remove your existing flooring to that level. Easy fit laminate comes in many effects as well as wood panelling; again, be careful to choose a product suitable for kitchens if you want to try this.

Small, budget friendly changes to your kitchen can make a big difference; grow some herbs in pretty pots on the window sill or tomatoes in a hanging basket in a bright corner for a country kitchen feel as well as cooking ingredients, or add a pin board for photos, shopping lists and postcards: a personal touch that is also functional. Any or all of these small changes will help make you feel as if you have updated your kitchen whilst you save up for a full refit, or you may decide you no longer need one.

This guest post was written by writer and blogger Francesca who is based in the UK. She has a passion for home décor and DIY – the cheaper, the better!

Five Changes Landlords and Leasing Offices Can Make to Improve an Apartment or Condo

Once your tenant moves out of your home, apartment, or condo, even if they were a clean and respectful tenant, the property is going to need repairs. Depending on the type of property, you could have as little as a week to make any changes necessary to spruce up the home or apartment. If you are short on time and budget but want to do a quick remodel that will impress potential tenants, here are some ways to add some life back into a tired space.

Painting and repairing damaged walls

Not only can you use this time as an opportunity to spruce up a tired room with a warm and fresh coat of paint, but you can also repair any holes tenants might have left in the walls from hanging photos, shelves, or other wall décor. Unless you have drab white walls, when you plaster over holes, you’ll have to repaint the walls to cover the dried white plaster. Use this opportunity as a way to really change the appearance of any room. You can also use low-VOC paint as an eco-friendly paint alternative that emits fewer pollutants have a lower odor than traditional paints. This can also be an advantage when trying to rent the unit.

Repainting the fireplace/replacing the doors

Even in the mildest of climates, if your rental property features a fireplace, tenants will use it. As much warmth and enjoyment as a fireplace offers, having one in your rental property also means you’re left with the task of cleaning the ash and soot left behind after a fire. To remove the black marks a working fireplace leaves behind, repaint your fireplace each year to make it appear new. This fireplacepaint system from Brick-Anew can restore your fireplace in a matter of five or six hours and for only $200. You can also replace the fireplace doors to give the entire fireplace a brand new appearance.

Removing spots and stains from carpets

Even the tidiest of tenants will take a toll on your carpets, especially if kids or pets are living there. After your tenants have moved out, do a deep clean on your floors to make sure the space is move-in ready for your next tenants. Move tables, couches, and other large pieces of furniture to see what stains might be hiding on floors. For superficial stains, you might be able to use a simple stain lifting spray. For set-in stains, you can either rent a carpet steam cleaner or use carpet cleaning services for serious carpet repair.

Changing out drapes and upholstery

If you are furnishing your rental property for your tenants, reupholstering furniture and adding new fabrics is not only a way to freshen up a space, but it also a way to appeal to prospective renters. Consider recovering couches, loveseats, and chairs with new fabrics in neutral tones. Not only is this a great way to potentially cover some older pieces of furniture without having to replace them completely, but it’s also an easy way to breathe some new life into your rooms.

You can also include more eco-friendly fabrics in the space to appeal to more environmentally friendly prospective tenants. Purchase curtains that block out sunlight to prevent excess heat from staying in the room. This will not only keep rooms dark when needed, but will also help keep your energy bills down as your thermostat won’t have to battle against natural sunlight to keep your space cool.

Deep cleaning the kitchen to remove grease stains

The kitchen is the heart of your home, so make sure that you give it some TLC after your tenants move out. Clean burners and any vents above the stove to get rid of any caked on grease or food that might be left behind. Deep clean the oven to remove any baked on grease, and make sure to remove any grease that might have accumulated on your kitchen’s backsplash. If possible, move the stove and clean the area between the stove, countertops, and walls to really give your kitchen a deep clean.

With all these changes, you can have your rental property move-in ready in a matter of days. Your tenants will appreciate moving into a space that has been well maintained and repaired, and it will give you peace of mind to know you’re providing a quality space for rent.  

"Give it a Whirl" Anyone can do this!

Twilight Taupe color theme used

Recently I purchased the product you recommended on this blog to remodel my fireplace. I wanted to take the time to send you these photos because I was very nervous and skeptical about it.  It truly is difficult to tell in this before picture how the effect the paint had on the brick. It was originally red brick. We got tired of that and did not know what to do for brick so we just painted it a very shiny white enamel. It didn't take long to realize this was not the look we wanted.  I really wanted a lovely soothing focal point in our den. What I had was not soothing.


"I saw your blog post on this product while searching for a solution. Even skeptical I was willing to give it a whirl.  Man, I can not believe what you said was absolutely true, "Anybody can do this". I was completely amazed that I did not have to remove the existing paint and all we had to do was follow a video instruction. The fireplace came out more beautiful than I ever imagined it possible could be. I am over joyed and love your product. It was so easy and looks so much like natural brick my grandson thought we totally replaced the brick. That was huge!  I hope this will encourage others to "give it a whirl" because anyone really can do this."


Thanks so very much my friend!! I am telling everyone I know about this.


Lola

Also mentioned in this testimonial instructions on : Painting A Brick Fireplace  

May I also suggest a beautiful Fireplace Glass Door or Fireplace Door Replacement Glass


I am also linking up to:
  The Thrifty Home's Penny Pinching Party
The Shabby Creek Cottage Transformation Thursday
Somewhat Simple Blog Link Party

Reluctance to paint that brick fireplace?

I sent my friend’s in Kansas a new brick paint kit, one that I have used for the last few years. They were very pleased with the results and I wanted to share with you their photos and thoughts.  

“Everything turned out great!  My wife and I were a little reluctant to use paint on our fireplace.  The brick paint kit had everything in it and it was very easy to use.  We should have done this a long time ago. Our friends and family are extremely impressed and can’t believe we did it ourselves. We can’t wait to install the Heatilator Fireplace Glass Door that you recommended. The whole room already has a new feel to it. We will send you more pictures when it is complete. Thank you so much.”

Here is what I sent them:

Color Themed, Matte Finish, looks like brick paint kit with instructions.

Affordable Masonry & Prefab Fireplace Glass Doors with video.
For more fireplace ideas check here.

Saturday Link Up at Be different act normal 
Sunday Link Up at Craft Envy