Home Related Questions and Answers

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.