Home Related Questions and Answers: 2013-06-02

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Where can i get pottery barn kids coupons or discount codes?

Q. My nephew is 6 years old.I want to buy a pottery barn kids furniture for him .I want to get some coupons to save some money.so how can i get it?thank you

A. I think pottery barn kids is very beautiful. i also like it very much. i got some pottery barn kids coupon from the following site,i hope it is useful for you.

Where can I find a kids night stand sports locker at a reasonable price?

Q. The only place that I can find it is fantasytoyland.com and it is 160.00 and that is a little ridiculous for kids bedroom furniture.

A. i purchased two of them through a cataloge called hold everything if discontuied try sports authority

Can you refer someone in Mumbai who can repaint my Godrej Steel almrah artistically in patterns?

Q. I have a beautiful godrej almirah which i got as a part of kids furniture set. The colours dont match with my interiors and so I want them repainted professionally in some artistic patterns.

A. Check this link for a list of Art Colleges in Mumbai:
http://mumbaieducation.net/EducationProfile/Colleges/Art/

I would start there as you could make contact with one of the instructors and get a good reference for a paint artist. You may also get a good price.

How much should i expect to pay an electrician to move a 220 line in my kitchen over six inches.?

Q. I'm going to move my stove over six inches to accomadate new kitchen cabinetry.

A. why pay an electrician...its a simple move do it yourself and save yourself the money as here in canada an electrician can run anywhere from 80 - 120 bucks an hour

How can I camouflage a bright stainless steel washer?

Q. It's in the middle of my kitchen cabinetry, next to the dishwasher, thanks to my landlord who really should have stuck a cabinet door in front of it. Something solid like a mirror won't work, given the fact that the washer already sticks out a bit from the surrounding cabinetry. I'm thinking of an attractive appliance film of some kind, cut to allow for all the hills and valleys; maybe just a darker shade of metal would hide it. Any ideas?

A. If you put other stainless steel items in your kitchen, like the face of the dishwasher, the refrigerator, etc. Then the washer may not stick out as much. Also if you could paint the lower cabinets to either match or gray, that might help. Roxanne

What color dining room table should I get for my nook?

Q. My entire kitchen cabinetry is oak wood that is stained a medium-mojagany. In my nook area, I have a ton of cabinetry in there, so I'm thinking if I try to match the table to the cabinets, it may be too much. I was thinking a lighter color table... does anyone have suggestions? It cannot be glass of any sort because we have 5 young kids that will use the table for each meal. Thanks in advance!

A. Go with something painted that coordinates with your kitchen outside of the cabinet color/grain -- cream, blue, green, yellow, red, or black. Or change materials -- get a metal and slate/tile table. Or, mix light and dark wood tones so it breaks up the look, but looks deliberate, not mismatched. Or go ahead and match your cabinets for the top of the table, but have the rest be metal or painted another color.

How to Utilize Solar Energy for Homw use?

Q. Kindly send me references for the utilization of solar energy for home use like to generate electricity, to use it for heating up water bath etc. I want to do all the project on my own. Your support will be highly appreciated.

A. Solar energy can used in many ways. we can use this energy by putting solar panels in our houses and we can generate this energy like we have heard of things like solar geezer , solar cooker , solar lights etc. if we use solar energy in this way then we can also preserve our natural resources.
some uses for solar energy would be telling time with sun dial, cooking, pumping water, purifying water, heating water (pools), and to heat air.
Solar Energy is used mostly in places where there is a lot of sunlight. It is used in power plants in warm sunny climates, and on houses in around the same places. They are solar paneled houses which can be anywhere. Basically, solar energy can be found anywhere there is sunlight. It will work better with more sunlight though.

How can I get my house converted to work on solar energy and is it expensive?

Q. I saw an episode in extreme makeover home edition were they built a house for a family and they used solar energy to power the house I like that not just because is good for the envirorment but because I think is better for us too, If we take care of the Earth we live in I think is going to last more.

A. Hurray for caring about Mother Earth. The cool thing about converting to solar energy is that you can do it a little at a time if you want to. One of the best sources in checking out all the options is the magazine Mother Earth News. This magazine has been around for as long as I can remember and have hundreds if not thousands of articles about solar energy projects. A good library will probably have back issues and I imagine you can go on line and get some article straight from the source if you are so inclined. As with any project it is the proper installation that is key in making the project worthwhile. So you either do it yourself, right, or hire people who have many years of experience in doing these types of installations. You might also be interested to know that the government gives very nice tax right offs for folks who convert to solar energy and some states can be very generous indeed. So check out all your different sources both on line and at the library to get the best information you can. Enjoy the process it is really fascinating overall.

Which is a better way to use solar energy, mass-production or individual home usage?

Q. I know we need to put a ton of effort towards research in renewable energy, specifically solar. But when it actually becomes a viable alternative to oil, and we can ~store~ solar energy efficiently, would it be best put to use atop individual homes and buildings, or as a source of electricity for whole cities?

A. The biggest problem you have with large solar installations is finding a large area near a major population center. In many cases the town councils love the IDEA of solar energy BUT just don't want the solar energy farm IN THEIR TOWN!

In terms of efficiency, a large solar installation is far more efficient than solar panels on everybody's roof.

However in this case the Political decision ends up trumping the Engineering decision.

Who has decorating tips for choosing sofa & love seat colors?

Q. I already own a nice black dining set, black accent furniture, and a black entertainment center. The living room and dining room are both one large room, so the black furniture seems connected. I really love black leather sofas, but it seems like it may be too much black. I'm also considering deep brown, tan, or beige leather. Suggestions?

A. have them be the same or variations of the same color. And choose that color in relation to the walls, carpet or another color that is prevalent in that room.

Ok will this theme work and and where can i get it?

Q. Ok I want to re-do my room. I want to the walls to be red, the comforter to be black, the sheet set to be white with red and black plaid on it and black accent furniture. Does that go together nicely? Where can I get that stuff CHEAP? Are there any sites that have a virtual room-put-togetherer? Any answers are appreciated.

A. look here

http://kidsthemebedrooms.com/skater/punk-bedroom-decorating.html

http://teensthemes.com/black-and-white-contemporary-bedrooms.html

Where can I find a TV Bed? Where the TV pops out of the footboard?

Q. I want a black or white tv bed really bad!!! Where can I order one from in the U.S.? I have mirrored nightstands and accent furniture, so I want something to go with it. Any suggestions?

A. If you can afford a bed like that this is how much the lift cost they have some here

http://www.importadvantage.com/Uplift-3500

IM SICK & TIRED of people saying i cant be a minimalist if i have a computer in my home and tv. Im a minimalis?

Q. t because i dont buy things i dont need
and i throw away a lot of stuff every week, at least 1 bag of junk.

and just because i have a big pile of books, i like to read, how does that make me non-minimalist?

A. You will be a true minimalist when you are no longer dependent upon the approval of others to affirm your identity. ( :

But anyhow...I never heard of a minimalist before. That's cool. I'm kind of like that. I don't have a microwave or television or a car or a computer. I housesit to get caught up on tv, I use the computer at the library, and I like to make healthy meals from scratch. Thanks for the word. I'm going to add it to one of my profiles.

Friday, June 7, 2013

How do you hang Christmas lights in your livingroom?

Q. I live in an apartment but my livingroom is kinda big. I don't know the exact size. What I'm really concerned is what can I put on the walls in order to hang the lights? Can I find that product at target? Ps- I live in Los Angeles, Ca in case you don't know what target is.

A. there is a brand called command that has removable hooks in clear plastic

What would I need to build a tall pet gate for blocking livingroom from hallway?

Q. What would I need to build a tall pet gate for blocking livingroom from hallway. My dogs love to see visitorsbut they jump all over them. So I want to build a tall pet gate to block the livingroom for when visitors do come. I am no DIY'er but I want my guests to feel welcome without the slobber and being malested by my dogs. :-)

A. Unless they are larger dogs maybe a pet gate would be suitable, and a lot less trouble and cheaper as well. http://www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/Carlson-Lil-Tuffy-Expandable-Pet-Gate/5156686/product.html Good Luck

What paint colour will look best with my livingroom furniture?

Q. I am trying to decide what color to paint my livingroom. I have a black leather couch & love seat, dark walnut floors and teak coffee table. What paint colors will compliments my furniture and floors?

A. I'd like to give you a different idea. On one of the walls in your living room, place a mirror with a kind of designed grill in front like in this picture - http://www.luxuryfurnitureandlighting.com/furniture_images/living/deco/Y02%20sofa-1.jpg

Or paint the walls a light grey colour. see this - http://www.3dm3.com/forum/attachments/f48/14067d1200848748-living-room-interieur.jpg

Since you have dark colour in you living room, try to balance it by painting the walls a very faint yellow or off-white. Or one main red wall and the rest beige colour could also work. You decide. :)

What's your best money saving tips?

Q. As a SAHM and just in general a frugal person, I am always looking for tips to save money. I will share a few of mine too. Here are my favorite money saving tips

Use a crock pot, it takes less money to run than your oves, saves tons of time, food turns out great, and it doesn't heat the house.

Use a Toaster oven. When I'm not cooking in the crock pot I'm cooking in my toaster oven. I bought one big enough to bake pies, bread, cake in square cake pan, cookies, chicken, steaks, etc..... I bought a regular toaster for making toast. I feel making toast in a large toaster oven is a waste of electricity.

Buy used when possible. I bought my sons loft bed for $150 the same exact bed sales for $1000 at our local kids furniture store. I bought his power wheels 2 seater jeep for $30. and I bought a Quadra Fire gas insert for $250, we were looking at the same one at a local store for $2500. These are just a few bargains I have found.

A. So many tips, so little room! I save plastic bowls from cottage cheese, yogurt, cream cheese, etc. They are great for organizing small items like nails and screws, or can be used when painting. Same for coffee cans. I save my daily newspapers and then wet them and roll into logs that I use in my fireplace in the winter. Freecycle is another great thing! I also clean and reuse plastic water bottles. I save my large plastic bottles for my greenhouse though. I will fill them with water, paint them with black spray paint and use them as a heat sink when the weather gets cold and my greenhouse needs warmth. When it warms up and the bottles are not needed, I use the water from the bottles to water my plants. Right now, I'm saving the caps from beer bottles to make a cool art project outside! It's my sister's idea! I mostly shop at thrift stores or consignment stores for clothing, and yes, I do hang my clothes outside on a clothesline!

Where can i get pottery barn kids coupons or discount codes?

Q. My nephew is 6 years old.I want to buy a pottery barn kids furniture for him .I want to get some coupons to save some money.so how can i get it?thank you

A. I think pottery barn kids is very beautiful. i also like it very much. i got some pottery barn kids coupon from the following site,i hope it is useful for you.

Where can I find a kids night stand sports locker at a reasonable price?

Q. The only place that I can find it is fantasytoyland.com and it is 160.00 and that is a little ridiculous for kids bedroom furniture.

A. i purchased two of them through a cataloge called hold everything if discontuied try sports authority

Can you use a thick heavy curtain for a home theater room?

Q. - If I wanted to divide my home theater room from another room without drywall, could I use a thick heavy curtain?

A. Yes, a lot of people use curtains.
Acoustic room dividers are available in the forms of folding screens also. An optimal acoustic room can be realized via thick carpeting by using the sofas, acoustic wall drapes, cushions and acoustic wall panels.
http://www.checkhometheatre.com/home-theater-room/room-acoustics.html

http://www.minihometheater.org/acoustic-sound-proofing-2/

What comic book characters would be a MUST include in a Home Theater room?

Q. I am in the process of planning out my home theater room. My wife and I grew up with reading and watching the comics from the 70's and 80's. We want to create our home theater room based off of these characters. I have come up with some ideas:

Making the front speakers into buildings and have one the Daily Planet and the other Gotham City Police Dept. with a spot light of the bat symbol.
A bar made to look like Silver Surfers surf board.
The rear speakers would be the back of the the X-men's X-Jet, the motors the speakers.
For art work we were planning on paintings of superhero's, logos or even figurine boxes (as we have a few already).

We just need some more ideas to incorporate into the room. What superheroes are a definite MUST have? I am very creative and handy with paint brushes and wood work so anything crafty would be great!
Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

A. I don't know anything about you so I don't know your preferences, but I think you gotta have the Justice League. Their only the most iconic heroes of all time. Maybe a poster or a cardboard figure too be fancy.

Another cool thing would be Captain America's shield as seat decorations, like stools for your bar.

Sorry I'm not a creative person but characters you should have are: Flash, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Wolverine, Deadpool, Iceman, and SHAZAM

How much class time 2day should be used for explaining a longform BC & the end of Birtherism to schoolchildren?

Q. Should home rooms discuss the long form birth certificate issue so that no child is left birthered? I think this calls for a new Obama Song for your kids to sing in school!!

A. "no child is left birthered"!!!! Priceless!!!

dude, come on. No birther is gonna change it's tune. NOW I wanna see Palins DNA test that Trig is her son!!

How Do I get home owners to hire me to paint their homes? As a home owner, would door to door sales, work?

Q. I run a small home painting business in the East Bay of San Francisco. I use C.L. , its free and seems to work, I dont trust the yelllow pages, am I wrong? How do and would you hire a house painter.

Yellowpages?
Online Postings
Google ads?
Door to door
Flyers or doorhangers?
Guy with white overalls at aint store?

Tell me how you hire your paint.

A. I would place my advertisement every were I could that my budget allowed. Even door to door. If your nice and professional looking and can talk good you could pull it off. Yellow pages are a good source.

Who's responsibility is it to prep an outside area on a building to be painted by a contractor?

Q. I am having a dust up with a home painting contractor. I told him I wanted the place that's going to be painted cleaned and stripped before he applies the new paint. He said if I wanted that done, I'd have to do it myself, otherwise he just paints over the area "as is." The contract doesn't mention anything about the prepping. I thought that goes without saying that the place to be painted needs to be cleaned and stripped. Who is correct?

A. a contract is a contract , if you sign it, you are agreeing to the terms.However painting generally requires some prep work , And In many cases, the prep work can be 80% of the job.

he should have clarified all this beforehand...find annother painter. he is being sneaky and not honest right from the start

Why are the front doors of some homes painted red?

Q. Why are some front doors to peoples homes painted red??? Is this for good luck?

A. It's what they wanted.

How to make my kitchen bigger and get the most return value?

Q. My kitchen is tiny - I guess you could call it a kitchenette, but it does have full size appliances.

Anyways - what can I do to get the most money when I sell the house? I am thinking new countertops (the ones now are just standard cheapy stuff), and new appliances.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

A. The kitchen is the one room that has the most "stuff", bathrooms next. The other rooms are just boxes with labels like livingroom, bedroom, etc. There's not much you can do to improve the look of the boxes short of adding recessed lights, ceiling fans, crown molding, paint, etc.

If your kitchen has any non-load bearing walls that can be opened up to provide a visually larger area, do it. If it's possible to combine a dining area with the kitchen, do it as well. This will result in a larger kitchen.

There are companies that re-face kitchen cabinets with new doors, rather than spend the money on new cabinets. This has the appearance that there are new cabinets without the cost.

The majority of interior home improvements are in the kitchen. The highest return on investment is, (guess where?) the kitchen. Replacing your counter top with granite slab will make it look like an updated kitchen. Replacing the appliances is another fast way to increase the saleability of your house.

I have many Asian (Chinese and Indian) clients in the past that replaced all the appliances and all the toilets (obvious reasons) when they moved into a home. They didn't want to spend the time to clean the old owner's mess, regardless how spotless it appeared.

Here are a few hints to get it ready to sell:
1. Clean everything
2. Clean everything
3. Clean everything (get the idea?)
4. Remove all personal pictures from wall, tables, desks, etc.
5. Your taste may not be the same as the buyer's. Decorate with neutral items, rather than what you dearly love.
6. Shampoo all carpets
7. "Curb appeal" is what draws them into the house. Be sure the front of the house is spotless! No dead leaves, garden hose, lawn cut, etc.
8. If you have messy neighbors and they don't want to clean their front yard, volunteer to do it for them. Nobody wants to live next to a mess.
9. Clean out and organize your closets. Everyone opens them and if they see a mess, it reflects on the owner.
10. Reduce your furniture count. Comfortable lounge chair is great for you to relax in, but may be way oversized for the room it's in, making it look a lot smaller than it really is.
11. If possible, re-arrange large furniture (couch, TV, etc.) along the wall, rather than in the middle of the room. Makes the room look larger.
12. If possible, hire a "home staging" company. They do this for a living and can guide you.

When should floor kitchen cabinets be screwed to the wall if at all?

Q. Should kitchen floor cabinets be screwed to the wall when installing? We just finished installing the wall cabinets. The floor cabinets are level. We have shemed the cabinets. Any suggestions? Do we need to wait until we have our counter tops installed?

A. Yes, screw them to the wall and to each other. You need to start with the corner cabinets. For complete instructions, see www.kitchen-design-angel/how-to-install-kitchen-cabinets.html

How/where to install kitchen cabinets: directly on wood subfloor or on the tile?

Q. My kitchen has been gutted. The walls, the electrical, and the wood subfloor has been preped. Should the base cabinets be installed directly onto the wood subfloor (my house has a 3 to 4 foot crawl space...not concrete slab), or should the kitchen floor be tiled first and then install the base cabinets on top of the tile? What is the proper way to do it? Thanks in advance for your answers.

A. http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Kitchen_Cabinets_and_Floors__Which.html

What color would be good for an accent wall when my livingroom is a strong Yellow?

Q. I have a townhouse size livingroom. It is in a large rectangle shape. The entire room is painted with a strong yellow.. a little darker than Big Bird. We have hard wood floors that are a medium-light wood color and dark brown leather furniture, tables and mica lamps. Which wall should have the accent color? The entertainment system is along one of the shorter walls and the other shorter wall has a big bay window. The two larger walls are pretty much exposed and contain large cut-out doorways.

A. brown

What should we do with a wall between kitchen and livingroom?

Q. We have a wall between our kitchen and livingroom (with a door on the side of course. We are considering cutting a large space out of it and fitting it with a bar to have a breakfast bar situation, plus it will be nice to be able to see into either room from the other. But I was standing looking and wondering if we should just go all the way and knock out the whole wall, which would make for one big kitchen/living area. Our two rooms are neither one very large. Can anyone speak from experience on doing such a change? I fear too if we do the breakfast bar thing we'll be limiting our wall space as far places to put furniture...of course if there is no wall there, then we're really messing ourselves up.

A. I have done this before in my house so you are in luck!
What you should do is made a breakfast bar area in between the rooms by cutting a large hole in the wall put a counter in so there is a table and then add decor. One the empty space left of the wall you didn't cut hang shelves make some small and others larger and place wine glasses and cook books [etc.] on the side that is in the kitchen. On the side that is the living area space add shelves but on this side put small plants, books, candles, and other items that will fit with the decor of your home.

I really hope this helps and i am glad to help will anything that has to do will home design. Enjoy your new breakfast bar!!

What color should I paint 1 wall in between livingroom and hall?

Q. I have a small hallway that I am painting yellow . The livingroom and hallway have one wall that is in both rooms. Should I paint it yellow like the hall,or keep it taupe like the livingroom? Or other ideas please?

A. It depends what kind of look you are going for, but for me I would Paint it a really suddle green colour that ties into the yellow. To go along, get some really nice furniture, or paintings that go super well. A nice antique brown would go great with the green.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

I want to decorate a bedroom with a variety of colors and patterns?

Q. This might sound a little crazy, but I want to have pink, tiffany blue, yellow, and gray with damask and chevron prints. Is this going to be too busy? I have ideas in my head about how I want this to look so does anyone know of a really good site to start an idea board for room decorating? Or has anyone seen a bed room with all or most of my desired elements?

A. Hello there. I just researched some of the bedroom ideas that suits your personality as what you have stated in your question. look at the picture on the source below maybe you would like it. Furthermore, you can add lightings in your room to make it more stunning. Ceiling lights makes your home attractive. Based on what I have seen in my friends house. Just a thought. Hope it helps.

How should i decorate other girls doors as a prank in a hotel?

Q. This weekend,a bunch of girls from my church on going on the revolve tour and we all stay in different hotel rooms.Every year me and the other girls in my room decorate other girls doors and i need some ideas on what to do.

A. whatever you put on the door make sure it can easily come off without damaging the door. you dont want to get busted for that lol. another thing to make sure you dont do is write anybodys name who is in the room onto the door. it is just plain unsafe. but i think its always fun to cut up a bunch of paper, or get confetti, put it in a small paper type box and secure it onto something with a string. tie the string to the door handle, and when they open the door the paper box will drop the confetti. another fun thing to do is streamers (on the roll) you can put them all over in front of the door by taping them to the door frame. then when they try to come out of the room they are trapped in by streamers. have fun

How can i persuade my dad to decorate my room before my birthday (two weeks time) rather than after?

Q. My birthday is in two weeks and i would like my room decorated, i am having one wall wallpapered and the other painted creamy/whity, and the wallpaper i'm going to paint on top with a nice teal. I'm going to get cream carpet, new curtains, new bin, new chair, new bean bag! But how can i persuade my dad to decorate my room before my birthday comes rather than after my birthday!

A. Show him this
Dear Sir, I feel I must put pen to paper to say how in this day and age it is so gratifying to hear a young person speak in such loving caring tones about their lovely Father.I dont think she could have painted a nicer picture of you even if you decide to decorate her room before her birthday which would be fantastic.You sir are a national treasure (or will be if you bring forward the decorating)
Best wishes

What color goes best with CORAL for decorating a home office?

Q. I have painted the walls in my home office coral. What other color should I use to decorate it? Please provide pictures of you can find any. Thanks for your help!

A. Ivory, with black furniture or accesories

What color to paint my walls with Black/Chrome furniture?

Q. In my home office/bedroom, I am using black furniture with chrome accessories and handles, and need a color to paint my walls that will match well, in addition to a good bedspread color.

Does anyone have some suggestions? I want it to be warm and inviting, but not bland.

A. Well there are a couple of things you could do( depending on your style.) If you are one of those out going types try a baja red or another shade of red. If you are a little more laid back try a light blue or a nice shade of olive green. As far as bedspreads go for the red try a lighter color like yellow or orange. If you do the green, use a navy comforter and maybe some cream or orange pillows. I am trying to get a feel for the room but I am not sure if I have the right feel if not sorry, But I hope this helps.

Help Feng Shui my home office?

Q. I've just moved into a new home office. I'd like any general feng shui advice, and I have a specific question too.

Here's the office layout:
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1892/office333zi5.jpg

I have a picture of a lighthouse and calm sea that I'd like to hang on one of the walls. Where's the best place for this picture with water in it?

General question: does anyone have any other advice on the layout? I've taken care not to have my back to door or window. Anything else?

Thanks!
Hi guys,

Some more details:

BOD: 30 Aug 1978

I started an <a href="http://www.logon.ie/">internet marketing business</a> about 8 months ago - see link for details.

It may be difficult to change the orientation of the door (as I do not own the house), but I will see if it's possible.

I understand that more precise details are required for a thorough analysis, but it's unfair for me to look for such detail in a free answers forum. I'm happy to learn from whatever you guys can share.

You can contact me via the business website if you need to get in touch.

Thanks!

A. first, i like to emphasize that fengshui is only good when the whole house is involved, even if you only stay in 1 room, it is required that the whole house is fengshui'd. the reason for this is that we often use the fengshui chart of the whole house to be applied on the 1 room in the house.

next, my comments below are not precise, it is just based on the picture you attached. fengshui is better when it is precise and personal. personal, because your birthdate/ time and certain info regarding you and your house are used in the calculations.

comments:
- can you make the door to open the other way, so that the person coming in can find you right away.
- there is a special formula to see whether the angle from the door to the diagonal corner is healthy to the occupant/s; this is known to most fengshui practitioners
- general layout is okay, except for the door.
- regarding the picture, you can put it anywhere you like. it is not fengshui when you use a picture or a furniture to attract wealth into your life. that is just what most western writers like people to believe. it is much more complicated than that. regarding the picture, it will not affect you in anyway, if you put it anywhere, as far as fengshui is concerned.

Can any one recommend a good home energy auditor for GTA ?

Q. Looking for a good home energy auditor for GTA. How do you determine whether one is better than the other ?
Does it matter or are they all the same ?
Was wondering whether anyone could recommend good ones.
Area : GTA -Canada

A. HERS Raters are trained in energy audits

CRESNET is the authority in Canada They have a list of HERS Raters

I would want one that has the following equipment.

Blower Door checks the leakage on your home

Duct Blaster checks the leakage of your ducting system.

IR Camera finds areas of heat loss, moisture, and missing insulation

I would want to know the fee over the phone

Where to find a home energy auditor?

Q. Trying to get a comprehensive home energy audit on my house. Google brings up a lot of home inspectors, are they the same thing or are they qualified to do that?

Any information would be great, thanks. I'm in Atlanta also.

A. I've got one coming to our house one of these upcoming days.
I found one close to me on www.energygroup123.com, maybe you can too, or at least get a referral.
Their audit is free too!

Oil hit over $90 per barrel. What are you doing to cut back or use less home heating energy/gasoline?

Q. Do you drive as often, as you drove prior to the oil increase, for vacations, work, recreation, etc...?

Is the utility company in your community helping, ignoring or hurting (increasing bills) the current home energy costs?

With the cost of per barrel of oil rising to $100 per barrel of oil and is expected to go past the $100 per barrel mark, do you have any thoughts/suggestions as how to cope with the high cost of energy needs.

A. people can get together and demand cheap solar electric cars, hybrid cars, (that car that makes water is a GM disaster)... we are making allot more ethanol . oil will always be needed for plastics.

plus we got plans for building alot more Nuclear plants.

Visit this website, this may help you
http://buildyourownhomeenergy.blogspot.com/

Where is a good place to buy a home bar?

Q. I am looking to buy a bar for my house. Nothing huge just a nice small bar. Few shelves, storage and such. Any ideas where to find one?

A. I work for Durham Bookcases (www.thebookcaseshop.com) and we build various kinds of tables and have built host stands and other furniture for restaurants before.

Depending on the kind of bar you are looking for you could get a table and cut a hole in it for a bar sink and other fixtures. If you want a closed bar, then you could add some panels between the legs to enclose it. As far as shelving, if you could either add a small bookcase or cabinet under the table or have it built into the bar. If we built what i described it would probably be around $360 plus the cost of finishing ($135 for stain $176 for painting), and the sink and other fixtures.

Fletcher Hardison

Buying or building a home bar?

Q. I want to install a bar in my new "MAN CAVE" basement. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to buy a nice one? I have just moved to an area about an hour north of Atlanta, GA. Or, if buying is not an option, can someone direct me to a website, book, person, or instructional DVD to help me out?

Thanks

A. Sam's Club and Costco often carry bars that are made like a piece of furniture. You might also check with a local kitchen shop--a bar would probably only require two, maybe three cabinets and a top, and might not be expensive.

What kind of bar stool goes with a victorian sofa?

Q. I just bought a beautiful victorian style sofa, but I also need bar stools. I'm in a one bedroom apartment and have used the dining area as an office area, so I want to put two bar stools at the pass thru to the kitchen. The only problem is that this is directly behind the sofa. I really would like something comfortable - a broad seat with a back. Please send your ideas - links to pictures or places I could purchase are most welcomed! (I'm in TX)

A. Heaps of bar stools here:
http://www.homedecorators.com/Furniture/Home_Bar/Stools/

I think one of these would look good with your sofa:
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Aberdeen_Berkely_Swivel_Bar_Stool/250/
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Hand-Carved_Amboise_Round_Swivel_Bar_Stool/120/
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Briarwood_Rounded-Back_Bar_Stool/850/
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Brookside_Swivel_Bar_Stool_with_Diamond_Back/810/

Looking for contemporary log home interior pics?

Q. My husband and I were looking to build a log home, but only if we can have a somewhat modern/contemporary look for the interior. Neither one of us are really into the primitive or Americana decor, but we do like the look of the lighter log home interiors like this one:

http://www.mhwood.com/images/image41.jpg

Anyone know of any log home interior pictures that have a modern look?

A. http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=contemporary+log+home+interior+pics&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

Can you help me identify and locate an old home interior picture?

Q. I can remember almost 30 years ago my mother bought me a home interior picture that was in a very heavy metal frame with a rounded glass, the print was a small boy kneeling and praying into a beam shining down on him.
I know that I have seen the picture in some bibles and I would like to know the name of the print. I would also know how I might be able to buy the picture, frame, glass etc. that was purchased for me. I have tried the homeco and the home int. web site but without the name of the print I'm having no luck.

A. http://www.sonyaharrisgiftsandcollectibles.com/images/tn_Boy_Praying.jpg

is that the picture? You may also want to go to art.com and search praying

Finding out how much home interior is worth?

Q. I have some 70's era home interior and need to see if it is worth anything. I can't find anywhere to figure that out.

A. Look around your local antique dealers....many are dealing in the retro items now..ask them..it will give you a start, then you can price the piece accordingly if you wish to sell them. You can also google searches for items similar to what you have to see what people are asking for them. Just remember, you can ask what you want, but you might not get it, so there can be a large variance in the prices you see...take the middle ground to be safe.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Can I replace things in an apartment?

Q. I'm currently looking to move into an apartment and was wondering, are there apartments that would allow me to replace amenities if I choose to? Things such as microwaves, ovens, toilets, or kitchen cabinetry? Do apartments normally allow people to paint the walls?
Why would I wish to improve other people's property? Because I'm living there, and I want to live well. Stick to answering the question.

A. NO, you legally can not alter their property.

How to simply decorate the top of kitchen cabinetry that reaches the ceiling?

Q. My kitchen cabinets have this plain unopened wood area above the actual cabinetry. It actually looks like the retro version of lighted cabinetry most people use to display different things within. I am not into all this excessive clutter of Knic Knacs hanging in every area of space. There isn't much lighting in the small kitchen but I need some decoration that looks clean and simply yet sophisticated and elegant. Also, I am really clueless on how to decorate a section of the cabinets that extend over the kitchen bar area which is also apart of the kitchen/dining room combo. This massive wood area has left the place feeling undone. The two answers I am in need of will have to not include painting the wood!!

A. Of course you wouldn't paint all that beautiful wood! How about some moveabel lights? You know, where you can move the head of the light to wherever you want it to shine? Or track lighting? That would help with your lighting problem. Just a couple of nice vases or a decorative plate or two would do with out making alot of clutter. A simple viney plastic plant would work too. I think those look the best. Hope this helps alittle.

What two colors will work for a living room and a kitchen?

Q. My living room flows into my kitchen and there is a "bar" to separate the rooms. You are able to see into the kitchen so the colors cannot clash. My dilemma is what two colors will go well together or should I pick one color and do different shades? I have a rich brown, comfy couch in the living room with brown furniture and a neutral carpet. The kitchen has dark cabinets and counter tops, light floors, and the appliances are white. The kitchen table is glass and dark metal. Hope that helps!
Thanks!

A. To play off your brown furniture either a sage green or a warm golden color. From the same color strip at least two shades lighter for the kitchen. Considering the furniture and kitchen cabinetry are dark wood I would go for the golden/amber paint color.

Can you use a thick heavy curtain for a home theater room?

Q. - If I wanted to divide my home theater room from another room without drywall, could I use a thick heavy curtain?

What comic book characters would be a MUST include in a Home Theater room?

How much class time 2day should be used for explaining a longform BC & the end of Birtherism to schoolchildren?

Q. Should home rooms discuss the long form birth certificate issue so that no child is left birthered? I think this calls for a new Obama Song for your kids to sing in school!!

A. "no child is left birthered"!!!! Priceless!!!

dude, come on. No birther is gonna change it's tune. NOW I wanna see Palins DNA test that Trig is her son!!

Does anyone know of a free architectural/interior design software?

Q. I love homes, architecture & interiors.
I'm not looking for a kiddo software/game, real software; user-friendly.

A. google sketch up works :)

Is it possible home map in 3ds max with full description? so as we do in Autocad?

Q. we wanna make a map (home map like architecture make in autocad). i know 3ds max, but i don't know how to made map in 3ds max 9 please help.

A. Sure why not.
p.s. We're not sure what your question is

Regarding organizational architecture, why has tipping emerged as a way to compensate waiters?

Q. In terms of the organizational architecture, there seems to be three aspects of it, decision rights, rewarding individuals, and evaluating their performance. I am having troubling applying this concept to compensating waiters. I would think that it has emerged to allow customers to measure and evaluate a waiter's performance and service, while providing them with an incentive...but I am not sure.

A. I am not quite sure myself but I used to waitress and tips are highly appreciated. Most waiters and waitresses only make $2.13/hr. and by law that is all they can make hourly. This leaves them to rely on tips to survive. I think that only the customer can decide what kind of service they got from a waiter/waitress and it is basically been left up to them to decide what they earned for their time. I think it is supposed to motivate the waitress/waiter to do her best with each customer as to earn the most for her time. However there are flaws. There are always flaws. 1) Some waitresses/waiters just don't care. I have seen servers that still just don't put in the effort and only do the minimal to get through their day. I have seen some that just treat the customer like dirt. 2) The customer is NOT always right. I have seen customers that got excellent service and either don't have the cash or are cheap and obviously did not tip the right amount for the service they recieved. Now if you don't have the cash, I personally think you shouldn't be going out to eat. If you are cheap, don't go to a place where you have to tip. Some customers are just rude, leaving a penny is a sure fire way to quickly anger a server especially if they gave great service. Now I am not sure what works for you, but as for myself and being a waitress in the past, I choose to tip 25-30% Most people tip under 10% and the people that do tip the norm of 15% are great but most servers bust their butts for minimal money. I tip 25% for good service and 30% for great service. I have tipped 100% for flawless service before too. It really is up to you what you decide to tip and if you decide to tip. Just take in to consideration a few things the next time you get waited on. Are they friendly? polite? helpful? knowledgable? timely? do they refill your drinks? take your empty plates out of your way? and just all around make sure you have everything you need? Because our job as a server is to basically pamper the customer while they are out from their home whether it is a low-priced diner or an expensive well known restaurant. I hope this helps. Take care and enjoy your dining experience.

How do I find an honest contractor to do some work on my bathroom, at home?

Q. Bathroom work,plus more storage room inside.

A. There is no way to be 100% sure to know if you are going to hire an "honest" contractor. There are things to protect yourself though.
>get references
>check with the BBB to check on any negative reports
>Check to see if the property is owned by the contractor where they reside. AND if they own their home. Be sure they are not a traveling road show.
>When the person whom shows up to measure, estimate, or to sign the contract and collect the 1/2 down works for the company and that they have been there for a while. Many theifs work for reputable companies or get their information from an insider within the company. Everybody loses except the theif.
>MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SIGNED CONTRACT with everything that they are going to do and everything you are willing to do ... including how payments are made. Most contractors ask for 1/2 down BEFORE any work, this is where a theif makes most of their money ... having a contract with a company that fits with the above pointers protects you.
>Don't accept proposals like
"REMODEL BATHROOM = $8,000.00. 1/2 Down, remainder upon draw system"
GET DETAILS --- IN WRITTING! Don't accept verbal "Ya, I'll do that" You will get a bill for $20,000 at the end of the job that was supposed to be $8,000 and once you read the small print, you will find you will owe every penny - and they will get it.
>Where do you look? Service Magic does not recommend companies that they don't have insurance and licences from. This is a good place to start, and it is free to the consumer. http://servicemagic.com/
>Yahoo does have a similar "find a company" type of service, although there are no "checks" that Yahoo does to make sure these are "real" companies.
>HAVE FUN! I have been servicing the building industry since 1980, and although remodeling and building a home for yourself is one of the most stressful parts of life, the people that allow the FUN to be in the project usually enjoy the finished product for many many years ... Many of my customers that don't have FUN doing the remodel end up with personal problems that you don't want, such as divorce, illness, heart attacks, miscarrages, and loss of jobs because of time spent on the project. I have seen all of the above problems with my customers. It's much better for the customer to have FUN!

what is the best way to get rid of bathroom mold in the caulking, tile grout and textured ceiling, for good.?

Q. bathroom has no exhaust fan. Family of six, one bathroom. tile around tub, swirl textured ceiling.
Is this a gut and redue or can this be done with minimum cost?

A. I recommend Tilex; it really cuts deeply into the mold. If a ceiling fan is too hard or costly, ANY fan in the bathroom can help move the humidity out.

Mold spores are everywhere; they simply need water to grow. Install a big fan in the ceiling, put a stand-up fan near the door and clean often. If you have a window, you could get a window fan too.

My bathroom has a really strong urine smell what could this be caused from and what is a way to get rid of it?

Q. I know it's a bathroom of course it's gonn'a smell like urine but it's so strong I can't barely stand it. I clean my bathroom about 3-4 times a month.

A. Do you have men or boys in your home? If so, the floors and walls around the toilet need to be cleaned regularly, as well as the toilet itself. You may need to replace the toilet seat and any bath mats or rugs that you have in the bathroom.

If you have carpet around the toilet it should be cleaned with something that will neutralize the urine. I've found that spraying white vinegar on the carpet works well. The vinegar smell will dissipate as it dries and you can then clean the carpet with something a little more fragrant.

Wall paper will also absorb urine and I've tried lightly spraying and wiping it with vinegar and it helps, but I've also had to completely strip the paper and paint the bathroom to get the smell out of the walls. Good luck. I hope you find something that will solve your problem.

What are the steps to carpeting a concrete floor, like a basement floor?

Q. wall to wall carpeting for a living room or a bedroom. What materials do I need, what tools? What is the cost?

A. It depends on the type of carpet you are going to put down. If the carpeting you are looking to laydown is a berber or indoor/outdoor rated gluedown, you don't have to worry about padding or tackstrips. If you are looking for a padded berber, plush or texture then there is more materials that is needed for the job, such as the padding, tackstrips, kneekickers, ect. I would go to your nearest carpet/home improvement store to start pricing the exact type of carpet you are looking for, while you are there, look at the how to books for a step by step guide for installation, such as Flooring 1-2-3 by Home Depot. It has step by step instructions, a time frame for installation and the tools you'll need.

Is there any way to remove gum stuck to carpeting, without damaging chemicals?

Q. My carpeting is light, so I'd prefer not to use chemicals that may cause discoloration. Thanks.

A. Getting gum out of carpet is alot like getting it out of your hair. Use an ice cube! Apply the ice to the gum and it hardens up to a much more manageable form; if you can get it cold enough, and depending on the type of gum, you may be able to 'pick' it out when it's all hardened. Yeah, stay away from chemicals as they won't get gum out.

Else you may be able to cut it out very carefully when it's in its hardened form - use a short pair of scissors to cut its way out of the fibers.

How can I remove a cat vomit stain from carpeting?

Q. I have beige carpeting (standard synthetic) that was stained by cat vomit. The stain is pink in color. I've used several methods to clean the carpet such as Resolve carpet cleaner and Spot Shot. I also tried wetting the stain and putting baking soda on it to see if the soda would absorb the color. Nothing has worked. Can any of you recommend something else I should try?

A. Kitty barf stains can be hard to remove. Three things you can try:

Orange oil (citrisolve or goo gone.) this may dissolve what the carpet cleaner did not.

Simple Green TM

Windex TM glass cleaner. I have found this very effective at removing all sorts of stains from nylon carpet.

Be sure to first remove any chunks and the majority of the spew before cleaning. You don't want to spread it around. a Wet/Dry vacuum works well for this.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

How can I make lamps, clocks, and fountains from scratch?

Q. I am interested in making my own clocks, lamps and fountains from recycled materials, but want to know how to wire lamps, manipulate clock gears and hook up fountains. I know that you usually have to buy some of the gear, but how can you customize it (for instance, a clock face)? Where can I find more information and how-to guides on how to do this?

A. If you google lamp plans or how to wire lamps there are plenty of creditable sources that will guide you through how to do pretty much all of this

How tall should bedroom table lamps be?

Q. I have great table lamps in the livingroom which is in the process of being redone. Would the lamps be too tall for the bedroom? Is there a formula of height requirements for table lamps? For a swag over the kitchen table, what is the clearance?

A. The lamps are not required to be any height...just make sure they are proportioned correctly with your bed post...lamps that are seen as too tall are normally those that are taller than the bed posts!

how best can I use floor lamps to light living room and bedroom with no ceiling lamp?

Q. I am moving into an older apartment and there are no ceiling lamps in the bedroom and living room. I bought a floor lamp from Walmart and 75W 'daylight' energy saving bulb from Home Depot. I find the lighting dull and not good enough to read with-I'm a student. This is really bothering me, how best can I light the rooms using lamps and have adequate light in them? I want them well illuminated and don't want to ruin my eyes either.

A. I had the same problem with lighting.
I ended up putting a big floor lamp in one corner and little lamps in the other corners on my dresser and night table.

What are engineering challenges to develop solar energy for comfort/home uses?

Q. What are engineering challenges to develop solar energy for comfort/home uses?

A. Solar is an old technology now and is fairly developed. Cost is a bit of a barrier but that is coming down quickly. Production scale could also be considered a barrier, as the industry can't yet make enough solar panels to satisfy demand. The panels themselves are limited in how much energy they can take out of the sun's rays, but they are getting better at this. Materials are a big thing now, mostly in trying out different materials and structures in the cells to bring down the cost and boost the efficiency.

Can you give me information on solar energy?

Q. I would love to use some solar energy in my home. What can you tell me about how much it costs to begin? Is there some sort of federal tax credit? What all do I need to buy (panels, batteries, etc)? Can a homeowner do the installation or must it be done by a professional? Would also appreciate any websites for retailers of solar energy items. Thank you very much for any information.

A. When I was gainfully employed, prior to experiencing the bliss of retirement, I worked for a hardware store that marketed a solar energy system for single family residences.

The cost profile (this stuff is expensive) suggested that, if you planned to live in your home for 19 years post-installation, you would amortize the cost.

There were federal and California state tax credits available at the time, as well as a rebate from Pacific Gas and Electric (primary utility provider in No. Calif.) which produced a net cost near $20K.

You need to determine if your local power company is obligated to buy back surplus power from your solar system first. If they are not legally required to do so, that will make amortization more difficult.

Q. How the electricity is produced by using solar energy?

Q. Please describe in details how do the whole mechanisms work? How it is developed? What apparatus is required? How the solar panel is constructed and how it works? Explain me all questions by using 3d figures or images or video if available. I have no prior knowledge about solar electricity so; please guide me in the easiest way as much as possible; I want to make electricity for my home by using solar energy what should I do? How can I achieve or construct it myself?

A. Solar electric panels are made up of something called silicon, the same thing that makes up sand. There is more silicon on the planet than almost anything else. Even though you can find silicon almost everywhere, making a solar panel is difficult and expensive. The silicon has to be heated to super high temperatures in a big factory, and then formed into very thin wafers.

When sunlight hits a solar panel, it makes electrons in the silicon move around. (Electrons are teeny tiny specks--they?re way too small for us to see, even under a microscope.) The electrons flow through wires that were built into the solar panel. And presto! We have electricity! We can do whatever we want with this electricity, run a calculator, a CD player, or, if we have big enough solar panels, a satellite! [Solar panels are also called photovoltaic panels. "Photo" means light and "voltaic" means electricity.]

http://www.windandsolar.com/nss-folder/pictures/Solar%20Panels%20S%20Wind%20machines%208319%20W%20Sunset%20005.jpg

Before installing solar panels, make sure you are wearing safety goggles. Make sure you have read and understand the manuals for your installation equipment.

What home improvement, home renovation and home restoration grants should I apply for if I live in upstate NY?

Q. Hello. I live in Broome County, NY. My family needs money to fix up our house with. What home improvement, home renovation and home restoration grants should I apply for since I live in Broome County, NY? Please let me know. Thank you.

A. The first step is to check with your local bank and realtors...there are also national grants available from the government. Take a look at this article 'How to Get a Home Improvement Grant' http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/459112/how_to_get_a_home_improvement_grant.html for some tips.

Good luck!

What is the Average Annual Salary for a Home Renovation Technician?

Q. I am considering taking a home renovation technician program at Humber College or Conestoga College (Ontario) - if anyone knows which would be better please feel free to give feedback - I couldnt find a number in regards to salary online so i was wondering if anyone in that profession would be able to tell me a rough estimate of annual earnings?
Thanks

A. They are self employed, no salary.

Am i required to get my home renovation inspected?

Q. I am planning on doing a major revnovation to an old home, new basement, new roof, remodel interior down to the studs, new flooring, walls cabinets, etc... Am i required to have the remodel totally inspected by a building inspector? or because its a home renovation its not required?

A. you are going to have to get permits and more than one inspection ex after electrical but before sheet rock is installed

What is the difference in ingredients between exterior and interior paints?

Q. If it is algaecides and herbacides, or whatever, can I add those ingredients to interior paint and use it externally? What would I buy and how much would I add to the gallon of interior paint to compensate?

A. It is the strength of the polymers and the acrylics..some exterior paints have insecticide and fungicide to prevent bugs from nesting and mildew forming..You would spend more money trying to make this work than you would by simply buying a gallon of exterior paint..And then the formula wouldn't be right, and some of these ingredients are illegal to purchase without a license

am I liable for interior paint work done over a year ago?

Q. I did this interior paint job(walls&trim) over a year ago and now they are telling me they have a problem.Am I liable?

A. do you feel you are responsible? Repeat customers is the best way to grow a business. If you repair the problem, I assure you that if they ever need painting again, or any one they know needs painting, they will call you, if you fix it. Measure what the cost for you to repair it is, and decide if its worth your reputation to repair it. Let your conciense be your guide. I would repair it if it wasn't abuse

Can I use interior paint outside?

Q. Stupid question but can I use interior paint outside? I bought a gallon of interior paint to paint a closet door, now I have a lot left and was wondoring if I could paint my wooden bullked(outside door to cellar) door with it. I hate to waste paint.

A. you could but i do not reccomend it. as a painting contractor , i can tell you it would flake off very quickly,and wouldnt be worth the the effort. the only thing you could do if you were adamant about doing ti would be to oil prime the door with a good primer like X-I-M then top coat it with your interior paint...this may buy some time before it flakes...but it will flake

Can laminate wood flooring in two adjoining rooms be mismatched?

Q. We are moving into our first home and we are replacing the carpet in the living room with laminate wood flooring. The floor in the dining room is already laminate wood and joins up with the living room floor. We are trying to pick out new floors and are wondering if we can get a different color wood floor for the living room or if we need to match it perfectly with the dining room. Would mismatching the wood look tacky?? Calling all interior designers! I need your help!

A. What you are asking is a question of personal taste. I (being a wood lover) think it's kinda cool to bounce to contrasting wood off one another, But thats just me.

What wood flooring should I use for my table tennis room?

Q. What wood flooring should I use for my table tennis room? Some recommended floating interlocking laminate flooring with good underlays is good but I don't know what the hell are they talking about. I was wondering if some could suggest and explain some wood that can be used to play Table Tennis. To help Table Tennis requires good shock absorption and cushion from underlays. Those expert wood people out there please help.

A. Vinyl floor tiles are probably the best choice for your play room. These tiles are easy to install and are extremely durable

How to prep subfloor for wood flooring?

Q. I've installed prefinished wood flooring before but the kitchen has ceramic tile glued to 1/4" plywood, which is then (I assume) glued and nailed to the original sub floor. I need to remove the tile and 1/4" plywood so I can put our new wood flooring on the original subfloor. What is the best way to do this? I was planning on using a hammer and chisel but is there a specialized tool i can use?

A. Yes there is.. A hammer and wide chisel... In your case , and I ve removed 100s of floors over the years and that what you need to do. Hammer and chisel off the tile, using caution. Chips FLY!! Then you can use a crow bar to get under the wood and go at it.If your lucky it was screwed down and you can unscrew a lot of them. But most will pull through the 1/4" luan and then deal with that later.
Your lucky it was installed wrong this is an easier rip out, Suggestion. Safety glasses, long sleeve shirt sand ear protection to prevent chips in the ears ( I m not kidding) Cover doorways to help prevent dust and put a fan in a window to suck dust out.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications GL

What do lamps give energy to that is a plant?

Q. What do lamps give energy to that is a plant? I need this awser for a project and I cant figure out what it is!!

A. Lamps provide the energy to induce the photosynthesis process which causes plants to grow.

The sun usually provides this light energy, but lamps can do just as well, under controlled conditions.

What are some good stores to buy lamps at?

Q. I am looking for some lamps to go on the night stands in our bedroom. What are some good stores to buy them at? I would prefer to buy on-line, but I like to go shopping too!

A. Hi, try this. Go into Google or Yahoo image search. Key in lamps or whatever you think best describes the item you're looking for. Voila, you now have thousands of photographs to choose from. Most images link to a website for more information.

Where do you get the heat lamps they use in industrial buildings?

Q. Would like to buy and install one of those industrial type heat lamps - like the ones that you walk under at the front door when you go into a Costco or other large shopping building. We have a ten year old Ridgeback and Doberman and last winter they spent the days and nights in the basement when it got below freezing- I would leave one of the portable heaters on that turn off if you knock them over. My husband picked up a puppy from the pound and I am now back working so we do not trust to leave the heater on with the crazyness of the new puppy- but the Doberman has arthritis so i'd like to get some heat going in the basement. We thought a large heat lamp we could install above them would work great. Any ideas?

A. The product you are describing is not a heat lamp. They are infrared heaters. There are different types but the best and most commonly used are gas fired. Here is a link to a descent manufacturer but there are others.

http://www.rezspec.com/catalog-rihn.html

Monday, June 3, 2013

any organization ideas for a teen bedroom?

Q. im redoing a teen bedroom and i need some organization ideas please!
well its a girl, and she has lots of things and i really dont know what to do with it all.

A. implore storage space in bed frame.
some teen room bedroom pictures you can refer:
http://www.decor-photos.com/or/Girlsroom-eb63bf3079066cdc.html
girl's room
http://www.decor-photos.com/or/Boysroom-a8a2169509e788f0.html
boy's room

What are 2 colours that look good for a girls teen bedroom?

Q. teen bedroom, girl, already tried brown and blue .

A. try painting it black and then splatter neon colors[: or light blue and lime green is always nice, or if your more girly then try light pink and paint hot pink hearts on the wall[: be creative. im a teen girl too and these are some that i would think of using. hope i helped!

How to make my bedrrom more like a teen bedroom!?

Q. Hi everyone! So im 14 and I want to make my room alot more like a teen bedroom, but i dont mean like posters of bands and all that stuff, i want like bright colors and cool stuff like that, somewhere where me and my friends can just hang out, right now my room is soo broing, the walls are a light pale purple white yellowish-white carpet and white furniture and my bed doesnt have a headboard, it has one of those white net-canopy things, I;v tried re arranging the furniture and everythign but it still doesnt work. Is there any way I could make a huge difference without having to paint the walls or buy a bunch of new stuff, I can buy some new stuff just not paint and new bed sets and stuff. Anyway, any help would be appreciated, Thanks! And by the way if anybody knows any sites with good tips for teen bedrooms that would help alot too! Thanks!By the way, my room isnt very big and the furniture is pretty outdated.

A. Don't worry, Mine is the same way...only i'm redoing everything.
Why can't you paint it? New paint is one of the best ways to make a room cool-looking.
I'll share what i'm doing, and you can take any ideas that could work for you :)
I'm painting my walls, three grey ones and a silver one. Taking out my carpet and putting in that wood stuff. I'm also getting plants, like bonsais and cool little ones for my desk. I'm getting a navy bedspread and navy curtains with lime green beads. Stereo, and pictures of all my friends and pets and family in cute picture frames, and all my old Tshirts that either got holes or too big/small I'm turning into pillows, in addition to buying some new pillows. lamps are also a great way of lighting up a place and making it look cool. I also need to get a cute little chest for my dog's toys.
Good Luck ffrom a fellow 14 year old! :)

Where is a good place to buy a home bar?

Q. I am looking to buy a bar for my house. Nothing huge just a nice small bar. Few shelves, storage and such. Any ideas where to find one?

Buying or building a home bar?

What kind of bar stool goes with a victorian sofa?

What do I do to fix a hardwood floor after refinishing problem?

Q. We sanded our hardwood floor to refinish it. All of a sudden, the nails showed up - we couldn't really see them before sanding, now we have black nail heads on nice brown hardwood. How do we fix it so the nails don't show so drastically?

A. All you can do now is use a nail punch and counter sink the nails and then fill the holes with a putty. Use a putty you can stain by using some of the stain you used for the hardwood. Then just touch up with the same urethane.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar. GL

is fine sanding the same as screening a wood floor?

Q. I am tackling a floor refinish on my old oak wood floors soon. I bought a house and found worn (but good shape) old oak wood floors under the carpet. I am planning on screening and re-staining and finishing the floors. will something like 200-grit sandpaper have the same effect as a screening pad? Which option would you suggest?

A. If you were just going to apply another coat of clear finish (polyurethane), then screening is fine. You want to re stain, so you have to remove all the clear finish first. You need to be more aggressive than 200 grit.

Will chatter marks come out of a new refinished wood floor?

Q. I just had my wood flooring refinished and my contractor said it was due to the fact that my subflooring was not concrete. He said the floor vibrated from sanding. He also said that even if he did the job over, it would produce the same results. He also said the chatter marks will go away after a few months. Anyone know if this is true? Or is it just a crap sand job?

A. they should go away but watch them to make sure if not, talk to a professional about how to get it done

Who can I contact to do maintenance on foreclosed properties in southeastern michigan?

Q. Who can I contact to do maintenance on foreclosed properties in southeastern michigan?

I own a lawn maintenance and home maintenance (inside and outside) and would want to work on these homes to maintain for the lender, realtor, bank etc.

But I am unable to finds out who to contact, does anyone have and leads that I can geta hold of?

A. This can be complex. In many cases, the lender hires a loss mitigation company to handle their foreclosures. This can be subbed out to yet another company. From my friends that work in foreclosures, there can be about 5 companies involved in financial decisions on these properties.

Your best bet is market yourself to Realtors who will ultimately list these properties. Most have weekly meetings, ask if you can make a short presentation at a meeting. Or get some inexpensive flyers printed up with pricing or information about services you offer and drop a few at every RE office in your area.

Do men make a naturally better stay at home parent in this day and age?

Q. In the modern workforce, women seem more suited to the office routine, social scene and nature of much of the repetetive work. Men today, while staying home are more apt to keep the children active, can become adept at most housekeeping skills, and perform other home maintenance duties that women typically refuse to do. Also, in most families, fathers handle most of the discipline. Should women now work to support a husband and children?

A. Like Helena said, natural roles are myths. You should figure what your strong points are and apply them in life. Some women are more suited to be a stay-at-home mom and some are not. Same goes for men. Some are suited to be a stay-at-home dad while some are not. And some men shouldn't get married or father children at all. Vasectomy is the best option for them.

Is there a book for new homeowners that breaks things down month by month?

Q. We just bought our first home and I am looking for something that tells when I should do each type of home maintenance. Like I know I should clean chimney and gutters in the fall, but how often do I get the furnance cleaned or change the filter. Stuff like that.
i am looking for a book that kind of goes over ALL home maintenance. and when I should do it

A. I'm not being condescending. These are really good books. I've learned alot from them myself.

Home Maintenance 4 Dummies

http://www.amazon.com/Home-Maintenance-Dummies-James-Carey/dp/0764552155

How much should i expect to pay an electrician to move a 220 line in my kitchen over six inches.?

Q. I'm going to move my stove over six inches to accomadate new kitchen cabinetry.

A. why pay an electrician...its a simple move do it yourself and save yourself the money as here in canada an electrician can run anywhere from 80 - 120 bucks an hour

How can I camouflage a bright stainless steel washer?

What color dining room table should I get for my nook?

Are there any places that will assist in bathroom remodeling for the elderly in Northwest Ohio?

Q. My father has had 3 strokes. It is hard for him to balance himself to get in and out of the tub. I would like to have his bathroom remodeled for him. I want to have the tub taken out and replace with a walk in shower. The toilet doesn't work like it should, but it works. I would like to get that replaced also. They both need rails around them so he can get in and out the shower and on and off the toilet with ease. Can anyone help me in finding assistance with these needs?

A. Most all Counties and or Cities have programs to aid Seniors- has to be low income person .
Look in phone book for Senior services, or call city hall.

How to find out a Quality Bathroom Remodeling?

Q. How to find out a Quality Bathroom Remodeling?

A. contact bath fitters they are quick, fast and approachable.

How to price a bathroom remodel?

Q. Contractors,

I am playing with the idea of starting my own little contracting firm. I have some theories on how to price out jobs but was wondering how you guys do it. Say I had a customer who wanted a bathroom remodel that included (assuming a 10X10 bathroom

Replace the vanity and sink, and fosset
replace the toilet
rip and replace floor tile,
rip and replace tile around the tub
rip and replace light fixture
rip and replace mirror
Paint the walls and ceiling

How would you guys price this job out?

A. The best thing in to do is to get free price estimates from contractor directory sites.
I use the renov. experts - they have local contractors that they pre-screen so you only get estimates from those who made the cut.
You can contact them to get free estimates for your job. If you want, here is the link I used - http://best-offers-online.com/estimates

Sunday, June 2, 2013

What is the best time of day for outdoor lighting pictures in the summer?

Q. A friend requested I take pictures of her baby. She wants outdoor lighting, and I tend to favor it as well. What time of day has the best lighting for these types of pictures? I know the sun shouldn't be too high in the sky so it doesn't cast heavy shadows.

The sun rises around 6 AM and sets around 8 PM.

A. It's best to start early in the morning. Say around 7am. Because at this time light is rather soft and not too strong. And it doesn't create nasty shadows like the midday sun does.

Plus, the morning sun won't be too harsh on the baby.

Do they make a conducting gel or compound to put in my loose outdoor lighting sockets?

Q. I have Malibu outdoor lighting with pinch type pieces of metal that hold on to the little bulbs. I've tried pinching the 2 pieces closer, but this works for about a day before it loosens and the light goes out. Is there any type of product that conducts electricity I can put in this socket to make the connection more stable?

A. Yes go to your local electrician and ask for nolox. This is used to stop corrosion caused by the outside elements and the corosive effects of copper on aluminum. This will help a little with the warping effects of heat. If that doesnt work get a refund.

What size screw do i need to mount something (outdoor lighting transformer in this case), to vinyl siding?

Q. Just got a new transformer for outdoor lighting and the screws provided could not even touch the wood behind the vinyl siding (at least I think there is wood behind it). The screws provided were about an inch long. What size do I need to penetrate the wood deep enough to hold a 4lb transformer?

A. A 3/16" or 1/4" lag bolt 2 1/2" long is stronger ..... pilot drill ( just the diameter of the screw core) .... test for strength, if too weak , find the nearest stud .......tiny amt rust wont be seen

How can I find out what company supplied the cement and building materials for a state construction project?

Q. If anyone knows about the building materials used in Boston's Big Dig... that would be helpful. I am very interested in the cement...not the bolts holding up ceiling.

A. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of separate contracts for the project known collectively as "the big dig". "Aggregate Industries" supplied much of the concrete, but virtually every plant in the New England area supplied at least some of the mix used on the project. Many construction contracts included both construction and materials, so the concrete supplier did not submit a separate bid, but was priced in with the contractor's bid.

The custodian of records at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has a list of all bid opportunities and all bidders selected. The material is public record.

Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
State Transportation Building
10 Park Plaza
Suite 4160
Boston Massachusetts 02116
617-248-2800

What are the effects of transportation of building materials?

Q. What are the effects of transportation of building materials?

Environmental and effects on the material itself???

A. The material ends up in a new location.

What building materials for window that can be used to minimise heat transfer.?

Q. What building materials for window that can be used to minmise heat transfer via conduction, convection and radiation.

list all materials and explain why that materials can be used.

A. double or triple pane glass with a reflective film.

.

Any ideas on how to come up with window treatments fast and cheap for my new house that has tons of windows?

Q. It is an old cottage with lots of charm. I plan on painting it all light, and sanding the wood floors light, so I want the curtains to be light too.

I need ideas for window treatments that are affordable, but creative. This house is covered with lots of windows, and I don't know what I'm gonna do.

A. You know how people throw the sheets up well i have revised it since it is a cottage style Sheet's are a wonderful window treatment amd they already have a slot for the rod this is what i did for the mean time and the mean time is been like 5 years already ..lol .....UKAY i bought some cheap sheets at a discount store with flowers and plaid bright soft colors. then i went to my local harware store bought some dowels (round wood rods)usally 3-4' tall 5/8-1/2" and if i had a larger window i used a closet rod and cup hooks to hold them and this is the afforable but creative treatment. In the kitchen i divided the window and covered half and the other half i draped the top rod so i could have some sunlight in. Oh yes i used material glue for the edges. I didn't want to sew. It was fun easy and afforable and I am into victorian look so it was chic to me .

What kind of window treatments are these?

Q. Here is a picture - can someone please tell me what the name of these window treatments are? And possibly a site where I can find?? I appreciate it!!

http://www.blindsandwindowtreatments.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/blinds-window-treatments-21.jpg

A. Hi EJS,

Those look like "teardrop roman shades" or "blinds". There are several different kinds of roman shades to you might want to look at all of them to make sure you are getting what you really want/need.

Sometimes different companies call the different shades by different names - so be careful not to get confused. Once you pick out the type you like, write it down - and if you find someplace calls it something else, write that down too!

http://www.ehow.com/info_8129379_roman-shade-types.html

You can get roman shades at any big box store like Lowes or Home Depot. I got mine from JC Penney when they were having a really good sale!

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/for-the-home/departments/window-treatments/categories/blinds-shades-/cat.jump?id=cat100260228&deptId=dept20000011&subcatId=cat100260213&N=4294965545

Also, you can get them online at places like:
http://www.budgetblinds.com/window-shades/roman-shades/
http://www.blinds.com/control/keywordSearch?q=roman

You will need to know the different ways roman shades come in before you order:

Cords?
Cordless?
Inside mounting?
Outside mounting?
Room darkening?
Thickness of fabric?
Color of fabric?
Top Down?
Bottom Up?
Electric?

If you order online you won't be able to see and feel the fabric. If you go to a store they will have samples of the fabric for you to look at and match color if necessary. Also, most people that work at stores know all the ins and outs about blinds and can help you make your decision. Consider going to a store just to get the free education to start with!

I hope all this helps.

Blessings,
Grandma Suz

What kinds of window treatments can you hang when you have wood blinds?

Q. I am trying to decorate my living room, specifically I am looking to add window treatments. I have wood blinds (medium oak color) and wood trim (same color). Everything else in the room is really neautral - all khaki. I am wondering what kinds of things I can do for window treatments. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

A. Sounds like we have the same blinds. The wood is so beautiful you really shouldn't cover it up. We put up simple valances in a neutral color ( close to khaki ) so when the blinds were open they were hidden and we had an open view. When they are closed you get the full effect of the wood. It would be a shame to hide it. It took us a few days to get used to just valances, but it works. Also it is cleaner. Less dust and less curtain cleaning.