Home Related Questions and Answers: 2013-07-14

Saturday, July 20, 2013

what is the commercial with the craft maker that shows a babys bedroom?

Q. I was wondering what the name of that craft maker was with the commercial with the woman designing this whole circus tyle party with mustache straws and then she shows a baby's bedroom with a fabric tree and animals. The actual machine she is using for all the decorations looks very small and cool but I cannot remember the name of it. I know its something pretty simple.

A. Is it the Cricut?? I know they make cutouts of paper, and for cakes; not sure about fabrics....

Whats the best way to catch mice?

Q. I have tried the humane way, but gave up on that when they moved in to my babies bedroom. Since then i have used 2 different types of poison, glue boards and snap traps. they dont go near the poison and have escaped the glue, and licked the chocolate off the snap trap without setting it off.
Im at the end of my tether, this is a new property and all the flats have been infested with them due to shabby workmanship.
please help me im going out of my mind!

A. Use a mouse trap. Usually, a mouse trap is rectangular in shape and it is made of iron wire mesh. However, u may have to keep a piece of meat or good smelling stuff inside the cage. You will not find blood and flesh splattered. But you will surely find the mouse very much alive and kicking

How do I trade off waking up for the baby with my husband?

Q. We have one baby, 3 bedrooms, and one baby monitor. We have been all sleeping in separate rooms. My husband and I both work and we both seem to be losing a lot of sleep. I am still nursing at night. How do we share the load?

A. If you are still nursing this really makes it difficult... it probably should still be you in the middle of the night unfortunatly. Unless you want to pump and then put it in bottles for him to give to your baby.

That's really the only option right now... or possibly you can do all the getting up and nursing one night and then the next night he could go get the baby - change him/her and bring the baby to you in bed to feed it. then when you're done - he can take the baby back and get him/her back and settled down again. This trading off can work out if you don't want to pump.

good luck. I know what you are feeling :/

Friday, July 19, 2013

where in Dallas or Ft. Worth can I find home bar furniture in a store not on line?

Q. small home bar set

A. Try Rec Warehouse. I don't know if there's any in Dallas, but I know there's 2 in Arlington and a handful in Fort Worth. They sell pool tables, spas, pools, gameroom stuff.

How can I build an in-home bar?

Q. I'm thinking about building a small bar for my living room just for when friends come over. Are there manuals for that sort of thing? Can you suggest any sites?

A. Seems obvious it won't be a WET bar, and answer number one truly has a decent suggestion. The BAR can be almost any type of furniture,,,even a converted TV/Entertainment center, antique buffet from Gramma; etc.

I'd pass on building; but that's just one wolfs opinion.

I've BUILT a few bars in my life, and they actually served no different function,,,in general,,, than a plank sitting on milk crates could,,,no offense, and no that isn't a suggestion...smiles.

It should either Blend/coordinate with what furnishings you have,,,or be a showcase piece that people might actually be attracted too, and doesn't even have to suggest in any way that it's a BAR. A Louis the 14th Desk would work,,,and maybe for multiple uses.

Certainly too there are PURCHASE options. One might be a mini thing on wheels/casters, that doesn't have to live in the Living room.

Again, my opinion. this project could be an enjoyable one just in the shopping experience. Good Will, garage sales, etc.

How expensive,on average, does it cost to build your own basic home bar?

Q. hey, moving towards a house on campus and want to build a bar at my new place. Just kinda want to know what i'm getting myself into.

A. It really depends....if you go to home depot and buy the materials you can get great materials for 400-500 dollars (small bar)or you can go cheaper. Or you can go really cheap and look over thrift stores and antique malls for an older piece of furniture and re-purpose it for $100-200 dollars. This assumes you have the tools you need to get this done. But a major factor is what you want. Somewhere to store drinks and set them on will be a lot cheaper than your very own "cheers" style bar.

How to determine what size patio furniture to use?

Q. I'm finishing up a small patio but I want to know if there's a general rule or some sort of online calculator which will help me determine what size patio furniture to put in this space. It's a 7 1/2" by 7" space - but I want to know ALL of my options

A. I found this site, it might help at least give an idea. It sounds like you want to at least give yourself 2-3 feet between the patio furniture and any other obstruction. (Plus I found some really nice patio furniture on this site!)

What is the market like for wood patio furniture ?

Q. I'm starting a business in Va. making wood patio furniture. I have a number of designs and want opinions on how popular you think this would be. These projects would be of the pre made style that you put together yourself, shiped as a diy project complete with Instructions, parts & pictures for east assembly. Can also provide product in any color you want. Will post pictures at a future date.

A. I want to agree with # 1 though not in a crude way,,,no real offense to him.

Your TARGET MARKET might be narrow at first, and KIT stuff is usually not directed at those who want upscale, and instant. No offense meant to them either. I know a few, very well off people who get their hands dirty.

WOOD is a great premise, and certainly you might also appeal to the Corona, Beach Crowd, who might still want casual, affordable, aesthetically more pleasing than Poly webbing, steel framed, fold up chairs, but again, you should do some market research as to who might actually NOT want to go to a Discount chain, spend $8 and be sitting on a beach or patio within 25 minutes of the purchase.

Sell me a decently constructed Adierondacks Chair, even unfinished but assembled, in Ash, Poplar, Birch, and you can charge me $100 more than I'd pay for a Center Field, Nylon Sling Chair,,,even with two cup holders.

I suspect you have researched some or all of the sceanrios, such as cost to produce, PROFIT, shipping/handling, Venoors, quality control and service call backs should a screw or allen wrench be left out of the package, etc. etc.

Steven Wolf

Oh throw in a fold out/down, foot rest...LOL.

How do I stop my two 9 year old dogs from urinating on the patio furniture?

Q. The dogs are males, they are Cocker mix (probably cockapoo) and they urinate on patio furniture and on the potted plants all the time.

A. And have been doing this for 9 years, and it's suddenly a problem now??
You just have to train them to not pee there.. Which is going to be a little tough, as it's gone on a long time now. Try taking them out and past the patio and blocking the patio so that they can't get to it to pee..

Edit: NO don't rub their nose in it, this is a STUPID suggestion, this is old time training crap that doesn't work. You only suceed in teaching the dogs that you are mean, and pee in general is bad.. You don't want them afraid to pee, you just want them to pee in a more appropriate place.. Don't slap their nose or rub their nose in pee.. This is not positive training, this is ABUSE!

What happens if I try to use an exterior paint inside the house?

Q. I have some leftover exterior paint that I would like to use in a basement stairway. Any harm?

A. use it theres more anti mildew and mold killers in it and pros like me use outside paints satins and so on iin the washing areas and kitchens and baths and the basements and in some wet or humid areas i wash the walls then add an oz of bleach to the paint and mix it in and inhibit the midew for months good luck an old dude

How to remove exterior paint from clothes?

Q. I got exterior paint on some clothes, and I was wondering if there is a way to remove it without damaging (bleaching) the fabric.

A. If it's a water based paint, then soap and water should remove it.
If it's a spirit based paint, then you'll need something like Turpentine (turps) to remove it.

DON'T put them in the washer until the paint is out as the hot water will 'set' the paint.

Good luck

How much does it cost on average to have a 2 story house (exterior) painted?

Q. We just bought a house and need to get the exterior painted. Should we do it ourselves, or hire a professional? It's a basic 2 story house. Not big at all.

A. Hello,
I am a contractor and I might be able to answer this question more acurate. There are a few aspects to determine a price of an exterior job.
1) how big is the home? ( yours though is a small home)
2) How much damage is done to boards( If wooden exterior) and/or paint).
I usually charge somthing between $1000- $3000 depending on the scope of the job.
Some people feel uncomfortable to work on the ladders;If you have worked on the ladders before and feel comfortable you can do it, if not you should look for scaffolding systems. Make sure that you prime and caulk boards property to prevent early water damage/decay to the bords. recently home depot ( BEHR) offers a new product that one coat of it does the job for prime and paint( Two in one).
If you decide to hire a professiional contractor, make sure he or she is licensed and have liablety insurance.
if you have any questions do not hesitate to e-mail me.
Best Regards
Nima

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

Can the Canadian Home Renovation Tax Credit be deferred to 2010?

Q. Can the Canadian Home Renovation Tax Credit be deferred to the 2010 tax year instead of declaring it as part of the 2009 tax year? Thank you! Sources please!

A. I'm afraid not, it has to be claimed on 2009 tax return.

who pays on the home renovation shows?

Q. Who pays for the costs on these home renovation shows?

A. A lot of them follow the show by saying thanks to the companies that provided low cost or free samples of their products (like paint, lumber, sinks, etc) just for the publicity on the show. If not it comes out of the show's budget. On some shows they will say "we spend our $1000 budget and the selling homeowner paid the cost of the new carpeting to complete that beautiful room."

It is never a secret and it is always less than you would spend for the same stuff.

Can you help me find this cool wall decor I saw?

Q. I saw this cool wall decor in a store called Psychic Fair and they no longer have it. You mount it to a wall and it's a ladies face like a statue I think, and red liquid pours from her mouth like a fountain. I have no idea where to find it online.

A. if they no longer have it, why didn't you ask the name of it? that would much help to find a thing

Where can i buy gymnastics wall decor?

Q. I want to buy gymnastics wall decor but i don't want a poster. Like a picture with a frame, i don't know what there called but yeah, they have frames and a picture with gymnastics inside it. Like one says cool beams and it's a girl on the beam and it has a frame and glass in front of the picture. Where is a store in Colorado that would sell those? Thank for help. hopefully that made sense just post a question on and i'll clearify.

A. http://girlsthemebedrooms.com/sports/decorating-girls-sports-theme.html

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26x%3D18%26ref_%3Dnb%5Fsb%5Fnoss%26y%3D22%26field-keywords%3Dgymnastics%2520wall%2520decor%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps&tag=mariesmanor0b-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

what kind of wall decor is suitable for a 32 year old conservative, straight, single, christian man's bedroom?

Q. I'm getting a new place and I would like advice about what is appropriate wall decor and furniture choice and style for my new place. I'm 32 years old and I am single, conservative, straight and a christian. My goal is to express myself and still and most importantly honor God in my choices. I would like some advice, and I politely ask, please do not include any off-color or vulgarity in your response. Thank you for your genuine help in response to my question.

A. Since you want to express yourself think about what you like. You will probably want a neutral color for the walls as that is more relaxing for a bedroom. Do you have a favorite artist or style of painting? There are a lot of good reproductions that are inexpensive. If you have an interest in sports or a hobby you can incorporate that into your decorating.

It might be a good idea to go to a large furniture store and just look around to see what you like. Some decorators say you can look through magazines like Better Homes and Gardens and cut out pictures of rooms that appeal to you. By looking at the pictures you can then see the style that you like.

The important thing is to pick things that you really like. Take your time and enjoy the process.

Is there a way to figure home building costs without labor?

Q. I am curious if there is a way to figure how much it would be to build a home without the labor. Every sight I search shows the national average cost for home building but they throw in the national labor wage. How do I figure it out?

A. Average cost / 3 = materials cost only in general practice.

This was taught me, some 45 yrs. ago and seems to hold true today. The scope and size of contract when going the other way, as in pricing, "what to charge a customer" from a contractors point of view has a bearing on stipulated price, that in turn contains both material and labour. They seem to charge (material cost X 3.33 = contract price) on average. Maybe this is "Murphy"s Law" allowance

You can check it out simply by taking a set of drawings into "Big Box Store" for material take-off and pricing, Then take the same drawings to 3 contractors for Estimates, Subtract material cost from Estimates, average your results divide by material cost and see how close to "TWO" the result is, closer to "TWO" the better!

In residential construction I always say spend more on the materials and less on labour...

When did nails and screws become common in home building?

Q. Obviously, nails and screws are the common fastener for home building these days, but I am curious when they actually became the standard? I am having a debate with someone who seems to think that they are necessary to make a nice house, but this person doesn't understand that they use to be very expensive; and as such, most homes were built without them. I just can't figure out when that time frame was.

Any help on pinpointing the date would be helpful (with some citations would be preferable).

A. "I am having a debate with someone who seems to think that they are necessary to make a nice house"

Loghouses and log cabins were used by First Nations and settlers long before metal became used for nails, as did mud huts in Africa and thatch cottages in Britain, adobe brick houses in Mexico and the Mediterranean.
A nail is hardly the be all and end off of 'nice house' design.

"but I am curious when they actually became the standard?"

No clue, I cheated lol - the source link follows.

"In the 16th century the invention of the first water powered slitting mill introduced the first cut nails. Hot iron was hammered into sheets and each sheet was slit into bars by rollers that cut like shears. Each bar was then made into nails and spikes by "nailers". The head and the point were still forged and this type of nail was used from the 16th to the 19th century.
In the year 1811 the first machine cut nails were produced. These nails were flat and had no head. Sections of rolled plate iron were cut into strips the same width as the length of the nail. Each strip was then place under a contraption that cut each nail at an angle. The sheet was then turned over and the next nail was cut. The result of this process produced a nail that tapered to a point on only two sided.
In the 1840's a machine capable of making a headed nail was introduced. Stamping machines were being used by the late 1860's and several types of nails could be stamped at the same time.
Wire nails are now common and are the dominate type of nails used today but cut nails can still be found and are not uncommon.

Early wood screws were developed in the mid 16th century. The wood screw which is really nothing more than a round nail with a threaded shaft and a slot in the head for removal was first used in locks and clocks. They were very expensive to produce and were not used for everyday woodworking.
The first machine made screws were introduced in the 18th century. They had blunt ends. The first pointed end screws were produced in the 1840's by an English inventor George Nettlefield. They became widely used with this new type of production."
http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Wooden-Storage-Shed---The-History-of-Nails-and-Wood-Screws&id=3390880

Hope that helps :)

What can I do now to start a custom home building Company?

Q. I'm in high school and I want to own my own custom home building business. Unfortunately I don't know much about construction. What can I do now to get started in this career? What skills should I learn?

A. You need to take some classes on architecture and maybe some type of electrical classes and you need to learn how to do plumbing and roofing which can be taught to you by a person who already has the trade. I would say maybe you could contact some one already in the business and maybe think about helping them with a job first. Learn everything before you start. You should talk to your guidance counselor and see what college classes you need to take and what colleges you need to consider.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

What color window treatments in kitchen with gray walls and hunter green counter-tops?

Q. In the house we are buying my kitchen will have light gray walls, hunter green counter-tops, and white cabinets. What color window treatments should I go with?

A. Have you thought about installing shutters to your windows? Not only are they more effective at saving energy and insulating than blinds/shades, they last longer and are beautiful to look at. If you arenât familiar with shutters, they are solid window coverings that consist of a frame surrounding an inset of fabric, glass, a solid panel, or most traditionally, louvers. Louvers are panels that can be adjusted to allow different amounts of light into your home. Shutters can be hinged and movable or fixed in place, and can be placed either on the interior or exterior of your home. Shutters placed in the interior of your home can replace what would have been curtains. Not only would they last longer, but they are more elegant and serve a function. White shutters would look amazing in the kitchen you just described! Here are pictures of shutters (http://bit.ly/lSuo8x) if you're interested.

Ideas for window treatments for room with dark brown leather furniture?

Q. I need ideas for window treatments for my living room with dark brown leather furniture. My walls are a sand color. The room has two windows on the same wall 69 inches x 58 inches. The windows face our front porch which has an overhang so there isn't alot of natural light in the room after mid morning so I need something that won't make the room darker and that I can pullover during the day. Thanks for any suggestions. My accent colors in the room are going to be sage green and cream color.

A. You really need some color in the window treatments. Otherwise it is too brown/beige and pillows won't change that. I think a pattern might work the best. That way you don't have to closely match the sage with other accents.

Ideas:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/bethany-sheer-drape/?pkey=cstriped-patterned-drapes-shades
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1288&f=30970
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6E.aspx?DeptID=60156&CatID=64871&GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=17c8668&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=60156%7c60193%7c60953&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=40&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=60156|60193|60953|64871&mscssid=639b5aadee39b49bd90fbd8e95519abe6xMnVNoV5a3oxMnVNoV5a3W200B4EDCDA5F751EC563AC810434ECB7DF3A1004906 (in desert khaki multi but you'd have to carefully match the tones)
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=60156&CatID=64871&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=161e24a&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=60156%7c60193%7c60953&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=91&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=60156|60193|60953|64871&mscssid=639b5aadee39b49bd90fbd8e95519abe6xMnVNoV5a3oxMnVNoV5a3W200B4EDCDA5F751EC563AC810434ECB7DF3A1004906 (without the valence, just the printed curtain would be easier to match)

What are these window treatments called?

Q. At an open house I saw these window treatments that were a fabric box surrounding the area above the window, like the curtain rod or something. I have no idea what they are called or where to go to find examples, instructions, or to just buy some! I loved them and want to have some for the house I just bought. Help meeeee!

A. You mean wooden valance...or can also be called cornice board valance? It's basically a 3 sided box with no bottom (the back wall acts as the 4th side). There are many sites on the internet with instructions on how to make.

You can wrap batting around it and then whatever fabric you choose and staple gun it on back and then hang so it's secure. The rod is installed inside.

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 type of cleaning technique should I use on bamboo wood flooring?

Q. I just recently bought a house and the house has bamboo laminate flooring what type of cleaner should I used to clean the floor. Will a steam mop do the trick? I was told Murray's oil is a good cleaner for wood flooring.

A. Do not use Murphy's. Use Bona wood floor cleaner. They even make a spray mop that is similar to a wet swiffer.

How do I remove asphalt tar sealant from wood flooring?

Q. We removed tile from the original wood flooring in our bedroom but they layed it down with asphalt tar sealant and it is stuck to the wood floor. We have bought a sealant stripper but it is coming off with difficulty. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A. You'll be lucky to remove enough of it to save the floor beneath it. This is bad news. The commercial stripper is time-consuming, but it is the better option if you're even considering trying to rehab the wood floor.

If the wood floor is not that great of a concern, cosmetically speaking, you have at least one other option, but it is no less back-breaking or time-consuming than using chemical stripper - heat stripping. Use a heat gun to loosen the tar sealant and scrape off the wood with a steel putty knife or tile scraper. Try to scrape the loosened sealant in the direction of the wood grain as much as possible.

There are several risks involved with this method, the most significant being fire. Improper use of a heat gun can set fire to the sealant and/or the wood beneath it. The best way to guard against this is to work in small areas, scraping what is completely loose before moving on to another patch of floor. Never put the heat gun directly on the surface of the floor, no matter the surface covering. The other, less deadly, risk is the chipping, gouging and scratching the wood floor itself endures from the scrapers. Most light surface damage can be sanded out, but gouges are forever.

If you've already made the investment of time, energy and money to remove the tile from your wood floors, I'm guessing that you're up for the challenge of restoring your floors. I hope this alternative method helps and wish you good luck in pursuing the results you want for your home.

What is the appropriate flooring that need to be in place beneath porcelain tiles?

Q. I am set to install porcelain tile flooring in a bathroom where the house currently has carpet. Provided it is in good condition (which I am assuming it is), is it OK to install the porcelain directly on the floor? Do I need to prepare the floor? If anyone has any pointers, I would appreciate it! Thanks!

A. First things first.. Is the floor concrete or wood?

If it is concrete: Take up the old carpet, pad and tackstrip. Scrape and clean the floor. Check the concrete for any cracks and prepare them with a good crack supression system ( I recommend Protecto Wrap ). After this you are ready to install the ceramic.

If the floor is wood: Follow the above with the added steps of a sturdy cement type backerboard, Wonderboard, HardiBacker or DurRock are just a few name brands. Wood floors need this in order to reduce the flex felt in a wood floor. I have known some installers to nail/screw this down without thinsetting ( tile morter) it down with good results. The correct way is to thinset the board down and then nail/screw it. The reason for this is to bond the board to the floor to reduce movement and thereby reducing cracks in the grout and tiles themselves.

I hope this helps, Good Luck.

What do you clean your laminate flooring with?

Q. I have been cleaning my laminate flooring with some cleaner just for laminate flooring and my floor keeps looking duller and duller with each cleaning. It is a new floor and I want it to look great not dull and old looking. Any suggestions?

A. Just a little Vinegar and Water

I recently had a Shaw laminate floor installed in my kitchen. I called their customer service representative to ask the best way to clean their flooring. She told me to use 1/4 cup of vinegar and put it in a 30 to 32 ounce empty spray bottle filled with plain water. I purchased a terry mop cover that has elastic all around it from Home Depot, which I dampen with water and place on a Swiffer dry mop head. I then spray the floor (a small area at a time) with the vinegar/water solution and then wipe it up with the damp terry mop. It does a good job. There is no streaking, and you are using very little water on the floor. One company has come out with wet cloths to attach to Swiffer mops that contain vinegar and water, which I also plan to purchase and try.

Make Cleaner at Home

To make laminate floor cleaner, mix 1/3 white vinegar, 1/3 rubbing alcohol, 1/3 water, and 3 drops dishwashing liquid for a quart total. For best results, wipe off quickly.

How do I change my 300SF of flooring the cheapest way possible?

Q. I have 300 SF of tile flooring that needs to be replaced. What is the the absolute cheapest way I can replace the flooring (either tile, carpet, etc) and how much should I expect to spend?

A. Laminate and carpet are your 2 cheapest flooring options that will last. You don t say if your doing it yourself or hiring it done. The laminate can be easily done by yourself at a 300$ cost.. You can do a glue direct carpet your self for not much more..
Having carpet and pad installed will run you double the amount..
Both products can be done w/o taking up the old. GL

How long does someone have to wait after applying for a home loan?

Q. After applying for a home loan, and all the information is in for them, how long does it take? An average would be nice.

A. Oh ok... I got this for you...

better check on it... Im pretty sure you'll discover something

http://www.home-loan-made-ez.com

How to find the best home loan calculator app on Samsung Galaxy S3?

Q. How to find the best home loan calculator app on Samsung Galaxy S3? i need a loan calculator app, but i can't find the one i really want! so can anyone show me the best loan calculator app for Galaxy S3?

A. Well, i heard a good home loan calculator app called Quicken, you can try that.

How much debt is too much when you want to apply for a home loan?

Q. I would like to apply for a home loan, but I have some credit card debt. I have good credit - never missed a payment, never been late, etc. I just don't know if having credit card debt will cause me to be declined.

A. The bank will add in your credit card dept along with any other loans or debts and will assess it against your income and the amount of your home loan will be estimated taking into account your ability to pay.

A bank will usually take the total amount of your credit card limit as your debt, not how much you've used of it. So, if you have a card limit of $30,000 but have only used up $1000 of it the bank will see it that your debt is $30,000, not the $1000. That's the downside. Banks won't usually decline you for a home loan just because you have a c/card. They work on your ability to pay your loan.

If possible, try and pay off your card and destroy it! Have a debit card instead, then you only have access to money that you have, not money that you don't have!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

how do I find manufacturers for designs of home decor?

Q. I design jewelry and ceramics and recycle items into useful but decorative home decor items. I just don't know how to find manufacturers of home decor that would buy my designs or how to submit them.
Can anyone out there clue me in on how to do this?

A. interior design magazine would be a good resource, especially the annual buying/ merchandise guide, as it has the vendors broken down by category, incl. home decor. This or any other magazine aimed at the trade would be a better bet than, say, magazines aimed at homeowners, because trade pubs will have more manufacturers and fewer distributors. Good luck!

What is a good sewing book for beginners who want to make clothing, not home decor?

Q. I have next to no experience sewing so i am looking for a beginner's book. But most of them are focused on making home decor which im not into. Looking to make my own clothing.

A. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Sewing is recommended by many fashion schools for prospective students. It covers almost everything you need to know. Tim Gunn of Parson's and Project Runway says everyone should have a copy. The older book is better than the newer editions, whatever edition you choose it is considered one of the classics: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Sewing-Readers-Digest/dp/B000CQ2THY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266502826&sr=8-2

For a book with even more, from beginner to advanced level skills the Vogue Sewing Book has information on embellishments, tailoring, hand sewing, linings, and more. The older Vogue book from 1975 is far superior to the newer ones and easy to find in used book stores, so it's also a thrifty choice. Similar but not quite as complete is the "Vogue Butterick Step By Step guide to Sewing Techniques." This book explains pattern instruction sheet instructions in greater detail. http://www.amazon.com/Vogue-Butterick-Step-Sewing-Techniques/dp/1573890049/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266502935&sr=1-5

And also look into sewing patterns designed for beginners. Kwik Sew brand has a line of absolute beginner patterns called "Kwik Start" and with these you learn by doing. They have simple t-shirts, skirts, tops and jackets and as you use them you learn all the basics of garment construction. The Kwik Sew website has a message board where you can ask for help if you run into problems

After you feel comfortable with these you can move on to any of the other pattern lines such as Simplicity, Burda, Vogue, McCalls and Butterick.

One reason why home dec is often taught first is because it is considered easier, it's almost all straight line sewing, there's little to no turning from wrong side out to right side out and most pressing is flat, not shaped. Of course if you don't need ten yards of curtains it's not very useful.

Finally, there are a few places on line that offer sewing help for beginners. About.com's sewing site is packed with tips, tricks, useful lessons for beginners and a forum where you can ask questions and they will be answered by one of the experts who post regularly on the board. or irregularly, like me. Simplicity pattern's website has lots of useful information for beginners and they have the "It's so Easy" line of patterns that are also good for beginners.

Kwik Sew's beginner line: http://www.kwiksew.com/Catalog/cat_thumbs.cfm?Cat=Learn_to_Sew&Level=KWIK_Start&QL=KwikStart

Simplicity home page: http://www.simplicity.com/
The simplicity classroom site: http://www.simplicity.com/t-classroom.aspx
About.com: http://sewing.about.com/

Where to buy unique home decor online?

Q. I'm currently shopping for home decor, bedding, lamps, etc for my new apartment. I love all the stuff urban outfitters has but unfortunately they don't have a very large selection. What are some other online stores where I can find fun, funky, and unique home goods for a somewhat reasonable price?

A. www.etsy.com is an amazing website full of handmade home decor. In the top righthand search box simply type in whatever it is you want (lamp, bedding, photography, ect.) and you'll be blessed with a huge selection of cute home decor items. All of them ship. And all of them are sold on www.etsy.com!

Where do you even start when remodeling an older house?

Q. Here is a list of things that need to be updated in an old house. My questions is how do you put them in order? Which ones should be done before the others? Some seem obvious, like do the landscaping last.

Bonus question - How much will all this cost? I have seen these remodels done on tv shows for budgets running $30k - 80k. How much in San Francisco area though?

1. Kitchen remodel (cabinets, counters, appliances, floors)
2. New siding
3. Install home security system
4. Window replacement throughout
5. Bathroom remodels
6. Living Room extension
7. New patio
8. New landscaping (lawn, shrubs, flower beds, sprinkler system)
9. Install recessed lighting and ceiling fixtures
10. New flooring and carpet throughout
Thanks for these great answers! Lots of great advice which I will save in my planning book. I wish I could give you all 10 points each.

The quotes we're getting in my area are so high! $9k for a small bathroom remodel, basic fixtures. $1k per each window (bedroom casement). Wish we could do more DIY but we work and have limited skills or family helpers with time/skills too.

A. I hate to bum you out, but I'm a professional construction estimator and scheduler and I have the most recent labor and material cost index book here on my desk. Reality check is that labor for remodeling costs 40% more in the San Francisco area than the average in the rest of the country. You would be lucky to get all that work done for less than $125,000. Just a kitchen remodel if you are hiring it all out could easily set you back $50,000.

i would recommend that you assess first how long you plan to stay in the house and what the value is of other houses in the neighborhood. If you invest more in the house than the average value in your neighborhood you will never get even a portion of it back when you sell. If money is tight, forgo the major costly projects like extending the living room. Window replacement will save you money on heating and cooling, and it tends to make a mess so have that done first.

Don;t let styling issues cause you to rip out perfectly functional bathrooms and kitchen components as long as they are clean and work well. Think hard about how much really NEEDS to be done and how much you are planning on changing just because you think it will be more stylish. Remember, what is stylish on the home shows this year will seem funky 5 years from now. Not all that long ago everybody on the home decor shows wanted laminate floors and white or cherry kitchen cabinets. Now those are considered dated. Keep it simple and only replace what is necessary and functional.

Bear in mind that old homes tend to have hidden issues like deteriorated plumbing and wiring, structural weaknesses and problems like asbestos, lead paint and water damage. Be sure you allow for a $10,000 to $20,000 reserve fund to deal with such things as they arise.

"Rehab Addict" on HGTV and the DIY channel is a good show to watch for anyone with a really old urban house. Contractor Nicole rehabs old homes in Minneapolis and she does a great job of reconditioning and saving existing components without the expense of ripping everything out.

Personally, I don't think recessed lighting should be high on your priorities. It tends to be costly in old houses and generally is not worth the expense. I note that few people actually use it much in their homes once they install it. Things like flooring, landscaping and fixture replacements are jobs you can learn to do yourself to save money.

Also, you will save thousands of $ and get much better results if you invest in a membership to Angie's List to find recommended contractors in your area. I have had tremendously good experiences with every contractor I have found through them while doing a number of remodels over the past year. Many offer coupons and specials and you can read first hand reports from customers on their services and pricing. I have gotten quotes for quality low-E replacement windows for under $400 each through people I found on there.

How much should I expect to spend on new kitchen cabinets?

Q. I'm on a shoestring budget for our kitchen remodel. It is a tiny galley kitchen, with cabinets (top and bottom) running about 12.5 feet along one wall. Is it possible to find cabinets that would fit this space for under $2000 (including labor)? Thanks for any input!
I should say - I don't care how plain and simple they are. Just going for a clean, updated look with no frills.

A. That is a tight budget but doable if you dont include tops in that price. You have to forget about all the bells and whistles and not be afraid of that horrible curse word "particle board' which by the way is far superior to plywood cabinets. The other thing is you have to stay away from the big orange who only wants your little green. They charge full list price. You would not pay list price - MSRP - sticker price for your new car so dont pay it for cabinets.

There are discount kitchen dealers in every major city. Most everyone today discounts from list. Do not be tempted by those ads that say all complete wood cherry kitchen for $895. What that is would be cheap junk formaldehyde and sulfur infested Chinese made junk. Fall for these and you will be putting your families health at great risk.

Want to completely remodel kitchen. How best to start? Where to go first?

Q. Is it ok just to ask cabinet company people to just come out and give me estimates? How do I know if I am getting an accurate estimate? How many estimates should I request? How much information do I need to give the estimator? I am concerned about "offending" companies by asking them give me estimates then not following through with the work. We are planning a complete kitchen remodel, floor, cabinets, fixtures appliances. Where should we start to get the best estimate?

A. I used to design kitchens. This is the best advice I can give you:

Establish a budget for your work BEFORE you start. If you have $10,000 or $100,000 to spend, know that amount and work with it. Being unsure of your total possible expenditure is the fastest way to get ignored by designers and contractors. A kitchen is not a cheap room re-do.

Investigate what you like and what you want your room to look like in advance. Designers need parameters to work with. No one knows your tastes and desires bettter than you. Having any less than an idea of what you want to project to be like finished is a sure way to be disappointed in the outcome.

Know the scope of the work you want to do. new cabinets? countertops? Flooring, wallcovering, lighting, appliances, etc?? do you need to upgrade your plumbing, wiring, ventilation? These and many other questions should be answered first. If your budget doesn't allow for any of these items, you may have to set your sights lower.

Hire a designer.. a kitchen designer. This is someone that you PAY to handle drawings and design. a qualified designer will help you answer all of these questions and give you a good idea if your budget is close to adequate. Expect to pay this person and be sure that you are comfortable with them. In many cases, the designer will credit their fees if you buy the project from them. Hire a CKD if you can (Certified Kitchen Designer)

With drawings and specs in hand, you can look at different types of products and talk intelligently to prospective contractors to handle your work. You will be working on an even plane with all parties involved since there is one set of parameters with which to work.

A kitchen renovation is a BIG project and can be a lot of fun, but there are also heartaches involved. It takes time, can be messy and you will be eating a lot of meals out. Expect the project to take a little time and be patient.

A new kitchen will make life much better in the long run and will increase your home's value. It's a good investment.

Does Nevada require to install home appliances in a house to be rent?

Q. My friend is thinking to rent her house, and she said it will have no home appliances include fridge. I once heard before that Nevada requires installing certain appliances in a house. Do you know what kind of home appliances has to be equipped in a house for rent in Nevada?

A. There is no law but it would be really hard to rent a house without appliances.

I am planning to buy new home appliances, is there a website where they have reviews and ratings?

Q. I am planning to buy new home appliances, is there a website where they have reviews and ratings?

A. A great place I always check is Amazon.com, but I believe that Target.com has some reviews as well.

Are commercial kitchen appliances really better than home appliances?

Q. Can't you use home appliances to cook in a restaurant? Is that legal?

A. Yes it is illegal to use home appliances in a commercial setting.

Commercial ones are more efficient, bigger, and conform to all the health and safety requirements.

What is that roofing material thats like a 6" wide tape that's like thin coat of black tar on aluminum foil?

Q. It's sold in rolls. I've seen it 4", 6", and 12" wide. It's like a 1/8" thick sticky black tar on aluminum foil.

They sell it at roofing material stores and some lumber stores.

Thanks.

A. It is called ice shield which is applied along the lower edge of your roof before laying shingles. Depending on the severity of your winter climate it can be anywhere from 6 to 24 inches wide. It prevents water from ice dams on your roof from getting under the shingles and leaking into your home.

what type of roofing material should i use to lay flag stone in the low slope porch?

Q. i want to install flag stone in my deck
right now the deck is with torch roofing material but i want to lay stone. please somebody recommend is there any material i can use so does not leak

A. There are two problems with this idea. First of all is the weight. Flagstones are heavy and this presents a dead load, (it is there all the time) that may stress the capacity of the roof. Any material of weight will add to the load.

The second issue to consider is that this kind of approach is also going to press into the torch down material. You won't necessarily notice when the edge of a flagstone when stepped on presses into the material.

Flagstones can also get very hot and on a roof where there is no heat sink below them they will probably get very very hot. There is a reason why boardwalks are made of wood.

For these reasons the best approach is usually to put down some kind of wood deck that doesn't sit directly on the roofing material and is easily removable for re-roofing. But I have also seen boardwalk like sections made to sit directly on the roof.

Flagstones are typically set in dirt, sand or concrete. All of these materials will tend to be hard on the roof and difficult when faced with re roofing.

Best roofing material for rain/snow protection?

Q. We live near Seattle. It rains a lot. It snows on occasion, not usually hard. Rarely, there are windstorms and we have lots of tall trees that like to drop their branches during such storms. Our roof has a pretty normal pitch.

What roofing material would last the longest, require the least maintenance, be easy to repair, and really be the best damn investment into a home we plan to be in for a long time? Any articles you recommend we read?

Thank you!

A. Best? That's really difficult to say. That kind of depends on your budget, among other things. You could go for standing seam stainless steel, or copper. That's probably the best in the long term, it's been known, in the case of copper, to last hundreds of years with no repairs, or very few.

The principle thing you will want to do, is get a good underlayment. The self stick rubberized material is a good choice here, be sure it's the self sealing kind, that will heal itself and seal around nails and things. You might look at slate, clay barrel tiles, or a newer cement product made to look like slate. All of these options will be expensive. Before you do any of it, make sure what's underneath is in good shape and protected as best it can be. Even a thick coat of latex paint with sand sprinkled over it while wet will help the underlayment. Hire people that have lots of experience and have good references is the best advice.

What is the market like for wood patio furniture ?

How do I stop my two 9 year old dogs from urinating on the patio furniture?

Q. The dogs are males, they are Cocker mix (probably cockapoo) and they urinate on patio furniture and on the potted plants all the time.

How do I stop birds from eating the stuffing out of my new patio furniture?

Q. I recently bought patio furniture with outdoor safe cushions. But the cushions are already being pecked to pieces by the birds in my backyard! They have made several holes in the new cushions and it's clear that it's the stuffing they are after. Does anyone know how I can keep this from happening?

A. They aren't eating it, they are using it to build their nests. The only thing you can do is put them away until the nesting season is over. Once they have found that good stuff for their nests, they won't leave it alone!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Can you use ceramic floor tiles for shower walls and around the tub?

Q. I am planning to redo my bathroom and my contractor introduced me to a friend selling floor ceramic tiles. They were telling me that I can also use it for the shower walls. Is this correct? Can I really use ceramic floor tile around the bath tub and shower area?
Isn't there such a thing as impervious tiles, semivitreous tiles that are good for the bath tub? I am just worried that if I use the floor tile that it does not have the right quality in the shower area? I do not want to redo the bathroom again after a few years.

A. Yes you certainly can as long as the tile has a trim pc call a SBN ( surface bull nose) to finish off the edges in a neat and professional way. Other wise you need to treat the edges in a special way that can be ugly or down right hidious (sp?) looking.
Always use a 1/2" backer board recessed into the wall so the dry wall and the backer board is flush, Again to give you a professional look.
I ve done this 100s of times.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL

What is the easiest way to go through doorways when laying ceramic floor tile?

Q. What techniques and tools would make it easier to go through doorways when laying ceramic floor tile

A. When installing ceramic tile, great care should be taken when measuring around your doorways. The doorways are the hardest place to apply tiles, as the area has many sizes to take into consideration. Cutting and installing ceramic tile around doorways should not be seen as a daunting task.Before you begin, you will want to first take careful measurements at your doorway.

Once you have the proper measurements, you will then want to cut your tile using a masonry saw. Cut your tiles to fit the measurements of your doorway and lay them in the doorway as you cut them to help you keep track of where each tile should go. you can find some good tile saws in my source site.

What is the best cleaner and or way to clean ceramic tile floors?

Q. What is the best solution and mop to use when cleaning ceramic floors, what makes them shine the best and what cleans them the best. Everything I seem to try is to soapy and does not clean good. Thank you.

A. I've had ceramic tile floors in the whole house for over 25 years and agree, soap doesn't work. I've always used warm water with white vinegar in it. It cuts grease and puts a great shine on the floor -- also, does NOT make the tile slippery like soap can.
Hope it works for you.

How much do I charge for painting and repairs?

Q. I am looking in to doing some interior home painting jobs. I am not sure what to charge? Do you base it on the size of the rooms? How and what do I charge? How much should I charge for small repairs, putting in a new faucet, new fan?

A. Whether you bid the job or do T&M (time & material) you have to figure out what you are willing to work per hour. This may not be what you are worth per hour, as competition, location and economic times sometimes dictate terms.

The easiest solution I recommend to people in your situation, is to look over each aspect of the individual job (fan instillation, painting, etc) determine how much time it will take to complete each job from start to finish â¦â¦then double the time âyou thinkâ it will take. It may seem excessive, but it is a simple formula that has proven itself time and again.
There are many variables that go into bidding a jobâ¦â¦ but using this formula should assure you of being within the market range of a bid.
Whatever you determine your hourly at, plus material (and any mark up you put on material) would be your estimated price (and donât forget to figure any time spent at the store)

Having a home painted on the outside?

Q. When having your home professionally painted ( I assume with a gun ) how far can the fine mist travel? I realize there are varying factors, but am looking for a generalized answer. Typically how many feet?

Thanks
Alyssa - worthless!

A. Painters will take every precaution from overspray as they are responsible and accountable.

On a windy day I have seen overspray from soffits go over buildings and mist coat cars some 100 feet away.
A little heads upâ¦ and question to ask your painters. Ask them if they back roll when they spray.
This is something I require from all the painting contractors when doing homes, it extends the longevity of the job; although not as much so when shooting a nonporous job

How to go about painting interior of home?

Q. Hi,

So I recently bid on an interior home painting job. This job only requires walls done, no ceilings and no trim. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, no painting in kitchen required. I will be doing a small amount of patch work and sanding to prep for paint. Once neutral color is what owner is wanting, Certain walls will require two to three coats as the existing color is quite dark. That about covers it. I am new to this so was hoping for a few suggestions on how to tackle job. Obviously i will be taping off all trim however do I also tape ceiling area where wall meets at the top? I have a good cutting in brush which I am confident I can use here however want to be sure. Any other recommendations for job. Perhaps cocking along trim of baseboards which are white for nice leveled finish? I am doing the job for $500.00 dollars plus owner is paying for materials. I feel this is an extremely good deal for him and the house is fairly new, so perhaps cocking is unnecessary. This is my first true interior paint job so please help me with the fundaments including materials needed for patch work, sanding grit paper intensity, anything i've missed, etc. It is a 2000 square foot home, and remember walls only. I would really appreciate any type of guidance here as i really need to leave a solid job to obtain future work. Thank you

A. As you know that today fashion is changing day by day and paint is now old idea and expensive also .I am giving you my personal idea as i tried it and it was very effective,,
You should try some home furnishing fabrics like herringbone, printed, wide stripped, dobby, jacquard and solid home furnishing fabrics .As these create a very expensive look to your home ,The good thing is that you can change these fabrics according to your need in different different rooms i know some online stores which are manufacturer and suppliers of these fabrics at affordable rates ,,see more on kochartex website try this and see the difference.

How can an Interior Decorator get a Designer or Trade Discount?

Q. I am curious if it is possible to get a Designer or Trade Discount from home furnishing stores as an Interior Decorator (not an Interior Designer). Does anyone know if this is possible, and if so- what kind of proof (certificate/professional membership/etc.) must an Interior Decorator show to the stores in order to receive the discount? In general, do most home furnishing stores offer discounts if you are an Interior Decorator versus and Interior Designer? Thanks for any info.

A. You can register at big box stores ( Home Depot, Rona, Lowes etc.) as a contractor, with a business licence and business cards showing proof that you are a designer. Wallcovering, paint, furniture and flooring stores will also do the same if you are an acknowledged professional. Smaller operations will have their own system of passing on discounts, or not, to designers who frequently purchase product from them. They will then subsequent mark it up realistically to their client, as designers do have to earn a living, and the client will still probably benefit by a somewhat discounted product, better than what they would have gotten.
If you are in business, I don't believe the difference between a decorator or a designer effects your discount. Keep in mind though that retailer's are wary of people posing as such to simply get a deal. Hope this helps.

How can i sell goods to the large builders?

Q. HI i work at a Home furnishing manufacturer company and i wanted to see if anyone know how does the building process work and how can i get into the big builders business to sell them my goods.
For example we sell moldings. Is it stupid to approach the builder with my moldings or the architects are the one who i have to tackle?

A. start with construction supply companies. your nearest supplier. give them good prices to stock your materials so they can resell them at a good profit margin is a place to start and build quality rating from there,then others will look to get your products in there supply stores also.

How should I arrange my comforter set so that it looks picture perfect?

Q. I have various comforter sets. I want to acheive a look that makes my bed look like those in home furnishing magazines. Does anyone have any ideas and tips?

A. Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns, as long as colors coordinate with one another.

Buy Euro pillows and shams, along with small pillows in various shapes.

I have a king bed and use king pillows, euro pillows and standard size pillows. I like the contrast of sizes.

Browse websites that sell bedding for inspiration. Also watch and go online and look at HGTV. Lots of inspiration there.

Good luck!

What can I put on a wooden cabin bed give it a white effect?

Q. I am expecting a baby and bedroom will be shared, my partners daughter comes to stay every 2 weeks and were have a beech colour cabin bed for her although I have picked white nursery furniture. Don't really want to buy a bed to fit in as she's hardly sleeping here! Any ideas how I could make bed white whit out painting it?? Pls

A. Decorating it with fabric like her bedspread or wrap white ribbon around the bed's legs to 'fool' the eye into thinking it is white. Wrap ribbon so closely or far apart to contrast w/ the wood color. Since she is a girl it is a nice feminine touch also. You might finish it w/ a bow that you tie?

Once a baby is birthed, is it necessary to cut the umbilical cord right away?

Q. I was watching 'I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant' and a woman had her baby on her bedroom floor. She was instructed by the the 911 dispatcher to get a shoe string and cut the umbilical cord.

Would it have been detrimental to the child's health had she waited for the paramedics to arrive so they could do it?

A. Leaving it on for a while will do no harm, some people belive you should leave it until it stops pulsating, so that baby gets all the rest of the nutrients.
When the cord touches the air it starts to dry up.
Baby can breath while still attched to the umbilical cord.

Which part from Insidious was frightning to you or creeped you out?

Q. The part that creeped me out more was when the mom was hearing voices in her babys bedroom from the baby monitor. Then when she gets closer to the stairs a voice screams really loud like " I WANT IT NOW". That really creeped me out. So what about you?:)

A. best movie of my life! its so hard to choose but i would have to say when the demon face was behind the dad, or when that man was walking outside the window near the mom and grabbed her haha!

Starting a tile installation company?

Q. I want to start installing tile, and I am familiar with the process, but I have no "real" experience except for the DIY (peel and stick) tile. If I got a tile installation book and practiced on a few tiles on a small scale, how hard would it be to tile a floor good enough to get a positive referral from it?

A. I did a 20 x 18 foot room with 12 inch ceramic tiles. It was a snap really. I used a wide grout line because these were mexican tile. No spacers, just did it by eye.

Plan it so that you dont have "sliver" size peices on any wall , if possible. Rent a wet saw. Or buy one for $89, it will get you through the job.

Now if you are talking tiling a shopping mall thats something different. I have looked at some of that work , and man, those lines are straight for miles. But for homes, you will never see the errors after a week.

Cost of Ceramic tile installation?

Q. How much per sq foot should ceramic tile installation cost? I would like to get my kitchen and connected bathroom (260 sqft) done. I plan on spending 2 per sq ft on the actual tile.

A. Contact a ceramic tile installer or go to a showroom which sells ceramic, They will tell you the cost of material and the cost of installation. You can determine if you DIY.

Anyone know of a good place to find leads for tile contractors?

Q. I'm trying to locate tile installation contractors throughout the US, no matter how big or small, anybody have any good contractor refferals, or know where I can find them?

A. Yellow pages

Or find a trade organization for tiling. They would have a directory. Look in Yellow pages and see if any list membership of a trade organization

What do you have to do to an attic or basement to make it liveable space?

Q. I want to add my attic and basement to the overall square footage of my house when I list it for sell. What is required to make an attic listed as a bedroom and a basement listed as a den? Can I just list them as that or do I have to remodel something?

A. If your attic and basement are unfinished no (decent) agent will list them as living space. If you're selling the house yourself and you list unfinished areas of your home as rooms, buyer will consider you dishonest and wonder what else you've lied about. Finishing an attic as a bedroom would probably be easier than remodeling a basement (especially if it has any dampness). The walls of an attic will need to be insulated, have a moisture barrier put over that. Electrical outlets and lighting need to be wired to code, then sheetrock the walls (which should be taped, sanded and primed, at the least). Attention should also be given to flooring. A DRY basement could be finished much in the same way, but consideration need to be given to furnaces, hotwater heaters, etc. that are often in them, and be up to code. If your basement is damp, remodeling can get costly and may not give you a good return at sale.

How to locate a live wire in the attic to tap a power outlet.?

Q. In the attic, I see a wire that I suspect is going to a standard outlet below. I'd like to tap a wire from this line to a ceiling outlet for my hanged TV. How do I make sure that this is really a live wire that goes down to an outlet and not a mere switch line, or something else. Thanks.

A. You could do what I did for my neighbor who wanted an outlet on the ceiling for her 42" LCD TV mounted on the wall. I ran a heavy duty extension cord(14 ga) in the attic from the wall outlet in the central air/heater unit closet and mounted a junction box on a 2x4 stud installed between the attic ceiling studs(16" apart) and flush mounted it to the ceiling. Didn't have to worry about taping into any power lines in the attic. Was a very easy job and it worked great.

Should i ventilate the attic when the airconditioner is running to cool of the downstairs?

Q. This is a one hundred year old three story house. It has insulation in the walls up to where the attic starts. No attic floor insulation. Attic ceiling is A frame peak with insulation in the sealing. No attic vents, so I put the fan in the window to blow out the hot air. Close the attic door and turn on the whole house airconditioner which really is only effective on the first floor with a little effect in one bedroom.

A. you are better off ventilating the attic, not only will it help keep your house cooler, it will also extend the life of your shingles

Monday, July 15, 2013

Can anyone tell me about Home Energy Auditor courses online?

Q. My husband wants to become a certified home energy auditor. We checked online and there are several courses. Can someone tell us who is reputable and offers an online course?

A. I think he's making a good choice.We've known for years that we need to cut energy usage where ever we can.I've written some articles about saving energy and you can read them here:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Stefko

Now the government is giving us incentives like the tax credits for renewable energy.Some states are giving credits and/or rebates. We also have them for energy saving devices.I personally think we will see a growing need for Certified Home Energy Auditors.
. There are several online schools, but what you want is one that offers certification. Check out the resource box for a link to a great site.

Where can I rent a thermal imaging camera to peform my own home energy inspection?

Q. Does anyone know where I can rent a thermal imaging (infrared) camera to perform my own home energy audit? How much $ for a 1 day or weekend rental? I'm in Northern Virginia. Do any national stores rent them?

A. Seems like i remember you could buy a type of 35mm film for a camera that picked up infra-red heat. You may ask a camera store. Who knows maybe they rent thermal imaging camera's

Anybody ever get a home energy audit?

Q. Has anyone ever hired someone to do a home energy audit where they connect a blower on your door and test your house for leaks? Was it worth it? Did you notice much change in your utility bills after doing it and having the leaks fixed?

A. yes and no.

Do my dining room furnitrure have to match the colors of my living room furniture?

Q. My dining room is part of my living room (its a combo). Do u think my dining room furniture has to match the colors of my living room furniture, or can it be a different color scheme?

A. Since it is one room there should be something similar in the design or colours. Example..if you have espresso coloured tables in the livingroom, then a dark or espresso dining set would be nice with the same lines as the livingroom furniture. You can use the same curtains in both ends of the room, or pick up similar colours in art or photos on the wall, or use the same runners on tables..that sort of thing. You can be different, but if you are doing that, then make it a colour for example of the chair upholstry that will match well with the livingroom. Just keep something uniform between the two rooms to unify them.

Where can I get fairly good living room furniture, for a good price?

Q. hey im 20 and getting ready to move out of moms for not twice but the THIRD time ;p anways this time im living on my own without roomates, we rented really nice leather furniture last time.....but this time i dont want to go down that route again, where can i get GOOD cheap living room furniture/tv stands etc.?

A. You are going to get your best furniture for the money second-hand.

I used to sell new furniture and I was surprised to find the $3000.00 bedroom sets I was selling were attractive veneer over pressed wood. (A corner chipped from the footboard of the bed and exposed the pressed wood.)

I used to be in the antiques and collectibles biz and your best furniture for the money will be from the 1950's and before. It will be solid wood. The dresser drawers will have solid wood sides, backs, and bottoms. The back of the piece will often be wood, also. They may even have dovetailed construction attaching the sides of the drawers to the front of the drawer. Check out drawers nowadays. The sides and back are not wood, and neither is the back of the piece. They use this cardboardish stuff a lot of the time.

The dining tables will be solid wood, as will the cocktail and end tables. Find a piece with the shape or design you like. You can always spray paint it and/or change out the hardware. One or both of those two steps can completely transform a piece.

I had an incredibly unattractive chest of drawers once-they were in brown and yellow. I was going to get rid of it but before I did that, I examined it. It was superbly constructed-I just hadn't paid much attention to it because I had found it at a great price and bought it for resale. I re-did it for a child in my family in blue and white with pewter looking Winnie the Pooh hardware (knobs). It looked great.

You can get armoires from the 1940's that are sturdy and can be used for your TV and other electronics. (Make sure the sides and back can support the strong shelving you need.) Since they are not that old or valuable you don't have to feel badly about drilling holes in the back (for the cords) or installing shelves. Dealers order this furniture from England in big shipping cartons. Find someone who does that-you can probably get the piece for $150 or less. You can change out the piece later and install bookshelves or as a hanging closet (it's original use) if you choose to.

Another TV stand option is a sofa table, cocktail table, or chest of drawers. The drawers can be used to store music and DVDs. You can paint it a flat black and put silver or pewter hardware on the drawers for a contemporary look. You can even put a piece of clear glass or mirror on top for more sparkle.

Thrift stores, garage sales, consignment shops and even the curb (you can't believe what I have found on people's curbs that they were discarding) are all good furniture options. Think outside the box, look at the lines of the furniture and what it can be, not what it currently looks like. (That's what paint is for). Avoid cheap furniture-anything of pressed wood or with pseudo wood grain on it.

Note: There are some specific techniques to spray painting:
1-Initially shake the can upside-down for three minutes. I know it is boring but it makes a difference.
2-Do not try to cover the piece in the first coat. Each coat must be light. The first coat will leave much of the original finish showing. Count on at least three coats. Four if it is a surface that will get handled or used a lot. Shake often. If you get impatient and coat it too heavily, it will run. Not attractive and easily avoided with care and patience.
3-Unless it is a small,inexpensive, decorative piece that will rarely get handled, don't buy the cheapest spray paint at $1.00 per can. There is a quality difference. The more expensive paints have more pigment and cover better.

Good luck with your new place.
You'll have more success if you don't worry about furnishing it instantly and take your time looking. Great things will pop up if you are patient.
It does not have to be done in one week or even a month.

If your room seems empty as you are looking for furniture, add a couple of large trees or plants to the space. Tell people you are going for the minimalist look :)

Full set of used Living Room furniture for sale - where to find buyers?

Q. I have a full set of good quality Italian used living room furniture for sale. Can anyone let me know where to find buyers? Thanks.

A. Ebay, local newspaper, consignment shop, our town has a radio swap meet that sells everything! If you live in a lg. town there's a lot of venues open to you!

Can you explain the extensive features of the application of roofing materials?

Q. Can you explain the extensive features of the application of roofing materials? What type of reflective results they can provide?

A. The application of Liquid applied acrylic coatings is rather simple. All that's needed is a paint roller or an airless spray rig. The reflective results are 85% UV reflective. You can purchase these coatings on the web page listed below. The different types of coatings are Benchmark and Rapid Roof.

What is the linear coverage (length) of a roll of double coverage roll roofing material?

Q. How many feet long is a roll of double coverage roofing material?

A. One roll of this product (also called 19" selvedge, duplex, or half-lap roofing) will cover 50 sq ft. Technically speaking, this means the roll is 35' 4" long. The rolls are usually a couple of inches long.

Keep in mind that the material is 36" wide and actually laps 19" -- just a bit more than half, so you only get 17" of coverage per run.

Rolled rubber roofing material, where can I buy it?

Q. I'm looking for a retail dealer in east Texas that sells rolled rubber roofing material at least 8 ft. wide.

A. don't think HD has it. and it is not really a DIY product. i've used it a few times and there are a few special methods you need to know.

try this site, they have someone in texas. i think you want to ask for edpm roofing: http://www.roofingproductsunlimited.com/aboutus.html

try: http://www.gaf.com/General/GAFIntro_MAIN.asp

also try: Modern Building Supply. 31209 State Highway 64. Wills Point, TX 75169 (903) 865-6762 [they're a little east of Dallas]

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

What color should i paint my living room?

Q. I have a brick red couch, tan carpet, black accent furniture and earthtone decor.

A. play around with the Sherwin Williams color visualizer to find something that you like. It is the best paint visualizer on the web, imho. I like how their color palette is laid out, I like that you can search by color family & color name, the "painted" rooms look the most realistic, and it suggests coordinating color schemes. You can literally spend hours:
http://www.sherwin.com/visualizer/

I think it would look wonderful to paint your room a color called "perfect greige" (# 6073) It's a neutral tone - a combo of gray & beige & I think it would look gorgeous with the brick.

Furniture is medium gray. What should I buy?

Q. So far all I have is medium gray loveseat and sleeper. How can I decorate? what colors? theme? accent furniture....Give me tips on decor please :)

A. All Sherwin Williams colors:

Walls: Quixotic Plum
Trim: Chinchilla
Ceiling: Inspired Lilac

accent in bright not bold yellow's, not golds.

I Removed my ceramic tiles now how do you get rid of the left over grout?

Q. I Removed my ceramic tiles now how do you get rid of the left over grout? that was underneath the tiles?

A. Thats not grout under the tile. It is a product called thinset and the only way to get it off is to chip it out with hammer and chisel. Dont use a grinder as this will cause severe damage to the underlayment.

where can i buy 4 x 4 colored ceramic tiles in southwest missouri or online?

Q. I'm a budding mosaic artist and am in search of ceramic tiles of all colors (not just the black, blues and whites sold at Home repair stores). It doesn't matter if I have to order from out of state.

I have an endless array of glass/stain glass and don't need them.

A. Hi gushpuppy,
You can buy 4 x 4 colored ceramic tiles on Amazon, here is the link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3a%2f%2fwww.amazon.com%2fs%2fref%3dnb_sb_noss%3furl%3dsearch-alias%253Dgarden%26field-keywords%3dCeramic%2bMexican%2bTile%2b4%2522x4%2522%26x%3d10%26y%3d22&tag=digitsy-post3-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

How to remove the ceramic tiles on dry wall in the bath room?

Q. The walls in the bath room of my house are with different ceramic tiles. May be the previous owner changed the tub & the walls around it but not the walls in other parts of the bath room. I checked with the ceramic tile shops & am able to buy the same tiles as those around the tub. Is it advisable for me to remove the tiles on the dry wall beyond the tub & install matching new tiles without replacing the dry wall? How to remove the tiles? What details I have to pay attention to?

A. You can carefully remove the tile on dry wall by using a flat pry bar or wide flat chisel. Do not pry on the tiles you can go right through the dry wall. Get behind them and pull or use a hammer to get behind them with a flat bar or chisel and take them off.
You will pull some hunks and tear paper, most of these can be repaired and gone over with new tile. You ll have to do some patching and sealing of old paper ( just primer paint).
The other choice is to cut the dry wall out and replace with a 1/2" cement board, dry wall or a product called Denshield.
The use of a cement board or the Denshield is suggested if any of this area is in a water area.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL

How much do home contractors make?

Q. I want to know how much a custom/ luxury home contractor would make per year, and possibly per job. Any help is appreciated.

A. This is a very lucrative business the exact income amount various. However there is a lot of responsibility that comes with this profession. You sure be experienced or have someone with experience to work with you.

How to write a letter to home contractors?

Q. Hi, need some help here. how to write a letter to home contractors?
the content must include that the home owners will submit the keys to the contractors and the contractors will be liable upon any loss.

Thank you in advance.

A. DRAFT LETTER

........................................................
Name and Address of writer of letter

Date ................

...................... Name of contractor
...................... Address of contractor
..................... Place

Dear Sir,

Repair and painting of Flat No. ........, .......... (Name of building, ................. (Address)

1. Please refer to your letter No. ............ dated ............... giving your quotation for undertaking the repairs and painting the the my Flat No. ........, .......... (Name of building, ................. (Address).

2. I approve your proposal at the rates quoted by you.

3. I am handing over possession of the flat and its keys to enable you to carry out the work.

4. Should any loss or damage occur to the effects of the flat and to the flat, you will be liable to make good the loss.

5. A list of inventories in the flat is annexed.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

(.....................)
Your name and signature

HANDED OVER

(.........................)
Your name and signature

TAKEN OVER

(....................)
Name and signature of the contractor

ANNEXURE
List of inventories in the Flat:

1.
2.
3.
etc.

.

looking for a reputable mobile home contractor in dallas tx area?

Q. Im looking for a reputable mobile home repair contractor in the dallas area.I have a kitchen floor that needs to be replaced. this contractor has to be bonded and licensed..Anyone know of any contractors??

A. All you need is a handyman or carpenter. Anyone who can replace floors can do manufactured homes. Ask a friend for a referral.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

My friends are moving to a new apartment soon and for X-mas i want to get them a giftcard for home furnishings

Q. They are expecting a new baby and moving to a new apartment and I want to get them a giftcard to a home furnishing store, but I cant think of a good one all of a sudden. Any ideas??

A. Target is great for these occasions and they have online gift cards available too.

Is it better to show an empty house or furnished house when selling a home in an estate?

Q. If furnished, keep in mind that the contents of the home will be that of the deceased. Creepy? Or is it better to have the home furnished and looking "homey"?

A. I like to look at them vacant, but not everyone does.

Remove all personal items, all clutter and keep it simple. Remember that you want people to be able to visualize themselves living there. If they feel like they are intruding on someones home they may not be able to do that.

How can an Interior Decorator get a Designer or Trade Discount?

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.

What color window treatments in kitchen with gray walls and hunter green counter-tops?

Q. In the house we are buying my kitchen will have light gray walls, hunter green counter-tops, and white cabinets. What color window treatments should I go with?