Countertops are the workhorse of both the kitchen and the bathroom. They perform a myriad of tasks including food preparation, writing surface for bill paying and homework, buffet serving space, supporting small appliances, facilitating daily hygiene routines and more. They are subjected to a wide variety of abuses including hot pots, acidic foods, alcohol-based personal […]
bath
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All About Showers
From basic hygiene to a spa-like escape, showers fulfill different needs for different people. Most don’t give a second thought about what goes into creating one of the most used features of the home nor how the design and maintenance of this simple enclosure can create either joy or misery. Use these ideas to assist […]
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A Forever Home on the Beach
When Cara and Patrick Ryan bought their 0.3-acre waterfront property in Southworth in 2000, they fell in love with the relaxing atmosphere. Living in Seattle and using the home as a weekend cabin, the couple knew that eventually they’d want to retire there. “It’s peaceful here; we love it,” Patrick Ryan says. “One hour of […]
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How to Properly Clean Your Shower Liner
If your vinyl shower curtain liner has developed black spots, especially in some of the folds, it is probably mildew rather than dirt. It’s perfectly OK to wash it in your washer. Most good-quality vinyl shower curtain liners will survive years of washing. This method works very well with top load washers. Our first attempt […]
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Understanding What It Takes To Do the Job Right
Studies show that the No. 1 complaint that consumers have about remodeling is not the cost but rather the time it takes to complete a project. Remodels by their very nature can be slightly unpredictable, in that you can never be 100 percent certain what you may find in a wall once you open it […]
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Clearing the Air Regarding Fans: How to Ensure Yours Works Properly
Most homeowners have a hate-hate relationship with their exhaust fans, be it the one in the bathroom or the one in the kitchen, and as a result they are seldom used. Exhaust fans are designed to remove moisture, grease and particulates from your home, thus preventing these substances from adhering to your walls, cabinetry and […]
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What’s Hot? From Design and Construction Week 2014
Tossing aside the old adage of “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” this is too good not to share. Needless to say, with 650,000 square feet of contracted display space, 1,500 vendors, 75,000 attendees and sold-out presentations, there were undeniable signs that the recession is waning and that Design and Construction Week at the […]
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Conserve and Save Money, Too!
This spring, I had a chance to spend some quality time with an energy-efficiency consultant, who also happens to be my brother-in-law. But that’s neither here nor there. Anyway, I was able to pick his expert mind about what average homeowners can do to make their homes more energy-efficient. First, contrary to what many homeowners […]
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Let There Be Light
Light, be it natural or artificial, impacts productivity, safety, moods, as well as the sense of aesthetics. You can design a beautiful home or landscaped yard but if it is not properly illuminated, it may all be for not. The following is an overview of basic lighting design, types of fixtures and the different types […]