Dollhouses on a Budget

At one time, dollhouses were the exclusive province of the extremely wealthy. Dollhouse craftsmanship was a skill known only to a few highly trained artisans and every piece, from the shell to the furniture, had to be specially commissioned. These dollhouses were beautiful showpieces for those who could afford them, but were out of reach for the vast majority of the population.

Now, however, mass production and lower material costs, combined with the do-it-yourself craze, have made beautiful and inviting dollhouses affordable for everyone. While some still spend thousands of dollars per dollhouse, this is no longer necessary. With a bit of ingeE95nuity and some guidance, plus a bit of carpentry skill and an artistic eye, you can create an inviting and aesthetically pleasing dollhouse on even the tightest project budget.

If you want to build the dollhouse from a kit, many budget options exist. Generally, a budget dollhouse kit will be constructed from 1/8 plywood or a combination of plywood and MDF pieces. Many parts will be made of pre-formed plastic. These kits are well made and pleasing to look at, although the thinner construction makes them less durable in the end. However, if you are not planning to create an heirloom to survive generations, the budget kits offer a lot of value for your money. You can get small kits for under $30, with a reasonably large budget kit averaging around $100. Be sure to shop around, particularly online, as prices can vary widely.

Another option is to build the dollhouse yourself. While plywood is the most commonly used material in dollhouses today, other options are available as well. You could create a dollhouse out of cardboard, shoeboxes, foil pans or many other items that you already have on hand. While a dollhouse made out of these materials may not last as long as one crafted from wood, the dollhouse will be much lighter weight and easily portable. This is a great option for making a dollhouse designed to be played with rather than displayed, since the low construction cost makes the dollhouse easy to replace when necessary.

Dollhouse furnishings need not be expensive either. Take advantage of the wide selection of printables that are available across the internet. Printables are pieces that are designed to be printed out on your computer printer, attached to some form of backing (cardboard works well) and folded and shaped for installation into your dollhouse. Many printables are completely free for personal use; others are available for a very small fee. Printables are available for everything from wallpaper to furniture and from flooring to hat boxes. You can furnish your dollhouse quite extravagantly using only printables. You can also make your own printables from photos and scanned images that you then manipulate in your favorite photo-editing program.

It is entirely possible to build and fully furnish a large dollhouse on a very small budget. Be willing to think outside the box and use your imagination and creative skills. Many books and websites are available to help with your project or simply give you ideas from which to start. Once the province of wealthy aristocrats, the dollhouses of today are accessible to all. Remember that the building process is part of the fun.

Visit the place for dollhouses and miniatures. Find everything from play dollhouses for young children to grand mansions for collectors. We specialize in affordable dollhouse kits for every skill level and budget. And dont forget the dollhouse furniture! Visit us online at http://www.TheMagicalDollhouse.com today!

Finishing A Basement

You have saved enough money to hopefully build a new house. You also hope to have it built with a veryFDA spacious basement. You know that it will be used for a lot of things. Perhaps spending your time with friends there or use it as a recreation area. For what it's worth, a basement is a place in your house that can be valuable. But you are also aware that your budget must be well spent.

A great deal of estimating the cost is needed. Or else you might end up having only about thirty percent (30%) of the basement done. So here are a few design tips to help you save and minimize the cost of finishing a basement.

- When doing your cost estimate, allow a fair percentage from your budget to allocate for the cost of finishing a basement. Do a list of those things you want to use your basement for. You know that by planning this out well, your basement could be one of the best places in your home. Later on you will realize that what you have invested is all worth.

- Design your basement windows to fit other purposes. It's a given that the window is used for ventilation. Since the basement is an underground facility, the room temperature will be a little bit different. The opening of your windows should not only allow more air to come in but also daylight. Basements are usually dark even at daytime. The more daylight, the less electricity. Having this anticipated will not only save you the cost of finishing a basement now but also when it is in use.

- Fashion your plumbing system and ducts to give head room. The clearance of the ceiling height in basements is usually low. This is because this is where the end ducts and pipes pass. You can still have enough for the cost of finishing a basement if you have it designed in a way that it would be easier to clad or hide. This idea can also be an advantage if in the future you hope to renovate your basement again.

- Use the right materials for your basement. It pays to know what attributes to the condition in a basement. For example, since a basement's floor can have a lot of moisture, consider using tiles. Not only is it practical, it prevents accidents from slippery floors. Moisture in tiles is easy to mop off.

- Lastly, try not to see your basement as a basement. Most household owners see their basement as a last priority in their list. If you can do away with this attitude, you have a good chance to save cost of finishing a basement. Some households have beautiful and functional basements because they never treat it as one. A basement is basically just a room under your house. Therefore it is a room that you can use. And while you have this thought, consider having a basement design that you don't have to spend so much on.

Actually, the last tip is the best tip. There are a lot of ways to use your basement for. You can use it as a mini-bar, a small gym, a guest room, or what have you. In areas where light cannot penetrate deeply, some people use it as a theatre area. The cost of finishing a basement is not really that costly. It's just another extra room in the house. So while you're still saving for this new house, include another room in your budget.

Do you need an estimation of the cost of finishing a basement? Consult the experts for your basement remodeling idea from start to finish.

Building a Dollhouse

At one time, the creation of a dollhouse was a mystery known to only a select few highly trained artisans. Dollhouses were commissioned works, available only to the extremely wealthy. Mass-production techniques combined with newer materials and tools, however, made the construction of dollhouses a project that can be performed by anyone with a reasonable level of carpentry talent and experience.

Your first step is to design the dollhouse. Once you have accomplished this step and have a clear idea of exactly what you want the finished product to be, you are ready to begin construction. You have two choices. You can buy a ready-to-assemble dollhouse kit, or you can create the dollhouse completely from raw materials.

A dollhouse kit, by its very nature, will not be as endlessly customizable as a dollhouse built from scratch. However, a wide variety of kits is currently available on the market, enabling you to choose one that closely fits your vision. If you are uncertain about your carpentry skills, you may want to purchase a kit.

If you choose to build the dollhouse from scratch, you will need to decide on the type of material you want to use. Wood is the most traditional. However, some types of wood work better than others. If you want the dollhouse to be reasonably sturdy and able to be handled, plywood is generally a good choice. 3/4 plywood is the most durable choice for the floor and structural components. 3/8 is acceptable for non-structural walls, doors and the roof.

Draw out a pattern on paper. You should have a pattern for every feature of the house including the base. Remember to keep the scale that you selected (most commonly 1:12) in place. Be sure to mark your walls and doors as well.

Cut out the pattern and use the pattern to mark the wood. Although the wood can be cut by hand, a circular saw and perhaps a jigsaw will make your job both easier and less time consuming. Pre-drill holes with an electric drill in the corners of all openings such as windows and doorways.

Once the pieces are cut, you will want to sand all of the edges smooth. A plane may be necessary if the cuts are uneven, otherwise simple sandpaper will suffice. Use a rough grain first and finish sanding with a fine grain.

After all of your pieces are sanded smooth, you are ready to join them together. Use a thin layer of wood glue and a series of common nails. Small screws can also be used for added stability. Be sure to drive all screws flush and countersink all nails. Sand again over the finished nails or screws.

If you want to paint the dollhouse, you have two options. You can paint the pieces individually before assembly, or you can paint the whole dollhouse once it is assembled. There are pros and cons to both methods. The method you select will ultimately be based on your painting skills and the design you envision for the dollhouse.

Building a dollhouse can be as elaborate or as simple a project as you would like. If your carpentry skills are not advanced, a dollhouse kit will allow you to do more elaborate construction. If you are confident in your skills, then designing and building your own dollhouse will allow maximum freedom. The decisions are completely up to you.

Add to your miniature collection, or start a new one! Come see our large selection of charming dollhouses and accessories. Visit us online at http://www.TheMagicalDollhouse.com today.

Why Choosing a Bathtub is Like Getting Dressed

When a woman dresses for an evening out, she would never think of first choosing which earrings she will wear and then making the clothes fit around that choiceunless she intended wearing nothing else of course Neither would a man choose his necktie and try to make his clothes suit the tie, unless Its common sense that you choose the main item of clothing first, and then choose the accessories to match the outfit.

And yet when it comes to planning their bathroom, many people do the equivalent of choosing the earrings or necktie firstor rather they choose the outfit, the shoes, the accessories without giving a thought as to how they fit together and the total visual effect. They choose a bathtub, and a vanity, and a color for the walls without thinking of the total effect and then wonder why they feel disappointed with the end result.

But if we take a leaf from the book of common sense as applied to dressing for a night out, the job becomes so much easier. The trick is to think of the main focal point of the bathroomand for our purposes that main focal point is the bathtubfirst, and once that decision has been made plan the rest of the bathroom around it.

Think of the bathtub like an altar in a place of religious worship. It is the main place of attention, and the rest of the bathroom should kneel in worship So if you decide that a sunken, contemporary bath is for you, a bathtub with clean, straight lines, perhaps not a curve in sight, the rest of the bathroom should follow suit, with minimalist ironmongery, with perhaps a lot of shiny chrome and brushed steel. If you go for a vintage clawfoot bathtub with beautifully curved back made for reclining and soaking in hot water, then the rest of the bathroom should follow so think ornate finishes, possibly a vintage antique mirror on the vanity with gilded gold frame You get the idea. Get the main focal pointthe bathtubin there first and let the rest follow naturally.

If you do this, it will be like dressing properlychoose the outfit and then choosing the accessories is easy. Of course, you might want another item to be the focal point of your bathroom, but then its probably not worth calling it a bathroom If you want a real bathroom, then make the focal point that bathtub.

So when you come to plan that bathroom, think of yourself getting dressed. Never choose the earrings or necktie first. Choose the outfit and the accessories later. Unless the earrings or necktie are all youre going to be wearing of course

Carl Formby writes for bathroomshine.com a website packed with resources on choosing a bathtub and small bathtubs

Tile Shower - How To Tips

Tile shower how to tips can help you design and install your own ceramic tile shower. There are some mysteries about how you build a tile shower, but the answers to your questions are available. You just have to know where to get the answers. Construction of a shower is done in a step-by-step method starting from the floor up. Here are the basic steps.

Building The Tile Shower Pan

The first section of a tile shower to be built is the floor and shower pan. The floor must be waterproof. Ceramic tile and grout construction is not waterproof so there must be a liner under the tile that stops water and routes it to the shower drain.

The traditional way to build a shower pan is to build a concrete base sloped to the drain first. Then top the base with a vinyl waterproof liner. A special drain is used with drain holes below the surface to which the waterproof membrane is attached. Then the tile are laid on this second layer and grouted to finish the floor.

Tile ready shower pans can also be installed. You have several different systems to choose from including, Tile-Redi, Schluter, and Wedi. All use a basic pan, of polyurethane, and different ways of mounting the pan and installing curbs, walls, and drains. Emphasis is on "system" since every part of the shower floor is included and some systems include the backing for walls and ceilings.

Shower Ceiling

After the floor is built the ceiling is installed. Will the tile fall on you? No! The adhesive will hold it up, but you can cut pieces of plywood to prop up each row of tile if you like. It isn't necessary though. The main problem will be the mortar falling on you. So you'll need a hat!

Shower Wall

The best backing for a shower ceiling and walls is Hardibacker cement board. The tile is installed right over the cement board. The wall should be laid starting in the back and then do the sides and front. Use a level and mark lines to keep on track. Use spacers to keep grout lines even. After you finish installing the tile and grouting, caulk the joints between the floor and walls with silicone caulk. Also consider caulking in the corners of the walls and between the walls and ceiling.

Ceramic showers are a great luxury, and if built properly should be trouble free for decades. But what if it isn't built properly?

Puzzled about how to build a ceramic tile shower? Need more information? Visit our site for ceramic tile shower tips.

We invite you to visit http://www.installingceramictile.net for answers to your ceramic shower questions.

Refinish Your Hardwood Floor Like a Pro

This article is written by a pro of refinishing hardwood floors since I have done too many to count. Maybe 300 would be a good guess. My father was in the business full time (as well as aluminum windows and doors (which I'll write another article about that soon) and while I attended college, and for a short time after, I worked with him as well as on my own refinishing hardwood floors.

In fact, I just did my mother-in-law's last summer and my back still hurts!

Before you even think of stBD6arting this DIY project, you need to be fairly good shape. There is a lot of bending, kneeling and scraping...if you do it right.

Ok, you still are here reading so I guess you are serious :o)

Here are the easy? steps to a beautiful, shiny hardwood floor:

Determine what kind of finish you would like first. There are a couple choices, flat, medium gloss and high gloss. It's strictly taste as they both wear the same. I prefer a polyurethane paint but some like varnishes. I found urethane to be a durable finish and won't yellow over time. Look for 'non-yellowing' on the can. They come in either oil or water based, and I prefer water base for the ease of clean up.

Go to your local hardware store that carries floor sanders, edger sander, pain scrapers, sandpaper (medium) and the floor paint.

Prepare your floor by filling in any blemishes, depressions, cracks and nail holes.

Sweep and then vacuum floor. (at this point I would hang a plastic sheet over any door openings if the door has been removed (new construction etc).

Sand main floor being careful to keep sander going in same direction. Start with a coarse sandpaper and switch to finer for second sanding. The first sanding is to get to bare wood and the second for a finished look.

Sand the edges. The trick here is to use a fairly light touch and rotate the sander in semi-circle reducing sand marks.

Now the fun part. Take your scraper in scrape the corners and under heaters. Don't worry about under heaters too much as it won't be that noticeable.

Whew! The hard part is done. Now the fun part. Sweep and vacuum floor and if you see a swirl or sanding marks scrape the out.

Put the sealer down. Wait at least 2 hours, hand sand the whole floor, vacuum and apply the urethane. If you don't have air conditioning, put a fan on the floor to dry it quicker.

I usually waited at least 4-5 hours for it dry, most of the time overnight. I recommend at least 2 coats of urethane for a durable, hard finish.

You're done! Wow not so bad was it?

Oh yeah,

Email me for a chiropractor lol

Dan Farrell is the owner of http://www.closet-organizer-plan.com where you can get a free closet organizer plan and other home improvement ideas and articles.

2 X 12 Wood Retaining Wall

How To Accessorize One Of The Most Important Rooms In The House - The Bathroom

One of the most important rooms in a home is the bathroom. Ask any real estate agent, and they will let you know that a clean, well-decorated bathroom, with a peaceful atmosphere and bright cheerful colors will add thousands of dollars to the value of the home. The bathroom is, according to the real estate pros, of particular interest to the lady of the house. The bathroom is second in importance only to the kitchen when it comes to the homes value in the real-estate market. One of the easiest and most efficient ways to create a bathroom with the appropriate atmosphere and style is the appropriate use of bathroom accessories.

Your first and most important task in changing the look of your bathroom and increasing your homes value is choosing the right color scheme. The color of your walls sets the mood and can create the appearance of more space when you choose light colors. You will also want your bathroom accessories to compliment the wall color, so choose with care. These days a bathroom design can be done in almost any color theme and should compliment the other styles and colors in the home. With the advent of modern technology and the internet, you can shop from the comfort of your own home saving time and gas while viewing the offerings of a variety of retailers at the same time.

By far the most important of the bathroom accessories you will need to buy is the bathroom suite itself (this would encompass the sink, toilet, bathtub and possibly a bidet). You will want to choose a color that compliments the dcor of the room, especially the walls and the bathroom tiles. There are many colors to choose from including the traditional white or ivory as well as many pastel shades of pinks, yellows, blues and greens. If you like to change the look of the bathroom frequently, you may want to stick with the traditional colors. You will find many various types of integrated bathroom suites available in either traditiAB8onal or contemporary designs. The traditional choices range from designs of previous centuries, such as the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Modern designs might include different shower options such as waterfall, multiple heads and ionic technology.

Other important aspects of the bathroom are the faucets or taps. These basic and often overlooked, but completely essential bathroom accessories are available in numerous styles and colors. There are probably more than you can even imagine. Ranging from basic simple classic designs, to the elaborate or even more sleek modern designs, the choices available to the modern consumer is extensive. One important thing to determine is the finish you want. Most standard faucets come in a chrome or gold finish, and some of the more ornate ones have ceramic handles or even plastic characters or other themes.

Once you have decided on the overall dcor and color scheme and found the bathroom suite, faucets and handles you can begin to think about other things such as lighting fixtures, mirrors and bathroom accessories. You might consider adding a bidet for increased hygiene. Bidets are very common in Europe and Latin American countries. Some bidet designs are now even integrated into the toilet, and they are increasing in popularity in the United States. Towel bars or racks and bathroom cabinets are the other indispensable elements of the finished bathroom design. You can create a bathroom that provides a haven of peace, tranquility and relaxation with a well chosen color scheme and some thoughtfully selected bathroom accessories.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about bathroom products as well as bathroom accessories online at http://www.exclusivebathroomaccessories.com

Stucco Roof Fascia

Refinish Your Hardwood Floor Like a Pro

This article is written by a pro of refinishing hardwood floors since I have done too many to count. Maybe 300 would be a good guess. My father was in the business full time (as well as aluminum windows and doors (which I'll write another article about that soon) and while I attended college, and for a short time after, I worked with him as well as on my own refinishing hardwood floors.

In fact, I just did my mother-in-law's last summer and my back still hurts!

Before you even think of stBD6arting this DIY project, you need to be fairly good shape. There is a lot of bending, kneeling and scraping...if you do it right.

Ok, you still are here reading so I guess you are serious :o)

Here are the easy? steps to a beautiful, shiny hardwood floor:

Determine what kind of finish you would like first. There are a couple choices, flat, medium gloss and high gloss. It's strictly taste as they both wear the same. I prefer a polyurethane paint but some like varnishes. I found urethane to be a durable finish and won't yellow over time. Look for 'non-yellowing' on the can. They come in either oil or water based, and I prefer water base for the ease of clean up.

Go to your local hardware store that carries floor sanders, edger sander, pain scrapers, sandpaper (medium) and the floor paint.

Prepare your floor by filling in any blemishes, depressions, cracks and nail holes.

Sweep and then vacuum floor. (at this point I would hang a plastic sheet over any door openings if the door has been removed (new construction etc).

Sand main floor being careful to keep sander going in same direction. Start with a coarse sandpaper and switch to finer for second sanding. The first sanding is to get to bare wood and the second for a finished look.

Sand the edges. The trick here is to use a fairly light touch and rotate the sander in semi-circle reducing sand marks.

Now the fun part. Take your scraper in scrape the corners and under heaters. Don't worry about under heaters too much as it won't be that noticeable.

Whew! The hard part is done. Now the fun part. Sweep and vacuum floor and if you see a swirl or sanding marks scrape the out.

Put the sealer down. Wait at least 2 hours, hand sand the whole floor, vacuum and apply the urethane. If you don't have air conditioning, put a fan on the floor to dry it quicker.

I usually waited at least 4-5 hours for it dry, most of the time overnight. I recommend at least 2 coats of urethane for a durable, hard finish.

You're done! Wow not so bad was it?

Oh yeah,

Email me for a chiropractor lol

Dan Farrell is the owner of http://www.closet-organizer-plan.com where you can get a free closet organizer plan and other home improvement ideas and articles.

2 X 12 Wood Retaining Wall

Small Bathroom Makeovers - 3 Things You Must Do Before You Hire A Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Small bathroom makeovers are a lot of work and you need a good contractor

Remodelling your bathroom can be one of the most rewarding things that you do to your property. Not only can you make it look beautiful you can often rearrange things to fit more into even the smallest of spaces. But how do you go about getting the work done? You probably don't want to do the work yourself because even the smallest bathroom makeovers are a lot of work. No you want it done and finished so that you can start enjoying it. The most common way to go about it is to hire a contractor to do the job for you.

Hiring a professional bathroom remodelling contractor to do the work for you is the obvious way to go. You should expect him to follow your instructions, do a good job and finish it in a reasonable length of time.

But how do you choose the right contractor?. One that will do a good job and not rip you off in the process. Remember that you will be letting this person, or gang of contractors into your property and leaving them alone for long periods of time trusting that they are getting on with the job and not rifle through your jewellery.

I'm going to give you 3 things that you absolutely must do before you hire your contractors. Remember that you are going to be paying out a fair amount of money for your new beautiful bathroom so it's worth spending a little time and effort making sure you select the right people for the job:

1. Use your gut feeling or intuition
2. Get a background check done on your contractor
3. Take up references

Use your gut feeling or intuition

Meet with your prospective contractors and talk to them about your bathroom renova5B4tion job. When you run out of bathroom things to discuss ask him about himself. Where does he come from? How long has he been doing this type of work? Where did he get his qualifications? Does he have a family?

Talk about anything and everything you can think of to try and build up a picture of this person. When you have that picture in your mind you can then say to yourself "Do I like this person?" Does everything add up? Do you feel as if you're being lied to or perhaps not being told the whole truth?

Believe it or not your gut feeling can often be remarkably accurate. You should listen to what your intuition is telling you and if it tells you that you don't trust this contractor then don't hire him. This isn't a very scientific test and you can't use it as the only way to select your contractors but if it tells you to run then you should. Move on to your next prospective contractor as quickly as you can.

Get a background check done on your contractor

Getting a background check done on someone can be as simple as entering their name and a few details into an online public records database. Discover how to do that in the article How To Do A Public Records Criminal Background Search On Your Bathroom Remodeling Contractor. It's important that you try to find out some information about5B4 your contractors past. Does he have a criminal record? Does he have arrest warrants out for him? Has he been made bankrupt?

Take up references

When I did my small bathroom makeover I asked if I I could see some examples of the contractors work and made a point of actually going to see it first hand. This turned out to be a fantastic way of selecting the good contractors from the bad and it was a lot of fun visiting people who had used the same guy that I was about to let loose in my house.

Bad contractors will avoid giving you any references like this and definitely won't want you visiting them. If this is the case then turn away and don't look back. If this contractor can't show you an example of his work then he isn't likely to do a good job for you is he?

The contractor that I used gave me 3 of his customers in the local area and made arrangements for us to go and visit the properties. This was great because not only were we able to see the results of his work we were also able to talk to his customers and find out exactly how the job went. Make sure that you ask whether it was completed on time and to the original budget. You can also ask how the contractor dealt with any problems that arose during the bathroom remodelling project. You can't stop problems from happening but it's how painless the contractor makes it for you that's important.

The information that you will gain from the t54Fips above can be invaluable to you in making your decision about the person you are about to invite into your home to do your small bathroom makeover. Take your time about your decision, it will pay off for you in the end.

You can do background checks on almost anyone in less than 10 minutes. Learn how to check for arrest warrants, criminal record and bankruptcy at the same time How Do I Check For Arrest Warrants? Don't know what an arrest warrant is? Learn about them here http://www.howdo-i.com/backgroundcheck/whatisanarrestwarrant.php

Small White Fence With Paint Peel

Bathroom Ideas Bathroom Remodeling Tip: Heat Your Bathroom Tile!

There are many ways you can enhance a bathroom but the following bathroom tip is by far my favorite bathroom remodeling tip. There is nothing like stepping out of the shower onto a soothing, pre-warmed bathroom tile or stone floor. This alone makes this bathroom remodeling tip my favorite of all. If you think warm floors would just feel great, you are right, but you will be also be pleased to know there are several other reasons why heating your bathroom floor is one of the best bathroom ideas that can be had.

Radiant Floor Heating is extremely efficient. In fact, it is so efficient it can in some cases be used throughout your house on all of your hard floors to lower your energy bill. This is because the heat is evenly distributed at the lowest point possible in an efficient way. So no more sitting by a vent to stay warm, or letting your hot air come out of the middle of a wall so that it can rise to the roof. Radiant heating heats much like the sun does with no hot blowing air involved, which in my opinion gives off much better warm feeling.

Aside from the fresh from the spa feeling, a heated bathroom floor1698 can encourage you to turn your thermostat a little lower, especially if you know you have warm bathroom tile to greet your cold wet feet! Best of all, when properly installed, you can expect your warm flooring to heat for up to 25 or more years with no filters to clean, and no operating noise.

If you would like more information about Radiant Floor Heating, Bathroom Ideas, or Bathroom Remodeling, visit ideal-heating.com

1 X 6 Covered Roof Overhang

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10 Tips To Make Small Bathroom Look Larger

Many of us wish that our bathrooms are a little bit roomier but wishful thinking won't increase even one square foot area. So, how can you make yoA37ur bathroom look and feel larger without actually increasing the space. Here are a few tips to make your bathroom look more spacious.

1. Select light colors for the walls. Pale, soft, cool colors are best for a small bathroom and not bright, loud ones. Pastel tones, whites and neutrals all work wonderfully.

2. Floor color should also be light. If there is already a dark colored floor which you cannot replace, cover it with a light colored rug.

3. Bathroom tiles should be large. This creates a feeling of space. Wall tiles should preferably be extended up to the ceiling and it's advisable to line the edge of the ceiling with a border.

4. Remember to provide for enough storage space because if the storage space is not adequate, it will lead to clutter which makes small bathroom look smaller.

5. Install sliding doors in place of usual hinged doors.

6. It's better to avoid pedestal sinks as they don't provide storage space. Although they look cool, they are not suitable for a small bathroom.

7. Have one large mirror in the bathroom. It will reflect light and add depth to the bathroom. Don't go overboard with mirrors as one mirror is sufficient.

8. As far as lighting goes, use a countertop lamp or wall sconces. There are also other ways to bring light like skylights or larger windows.

9. Shower screens should be clear and not opaque since it gives a feeling of more space. Also it's better to have fully frameless shower screens so that there are no visual barriers.

10. Last but not the least, keep your bathroom neat and clean since a dirty and cluttered bathroom looks smaller than a neat one.

Daisy Simpson

To read more articles about home improvement especially bathroom and kitchen, please visit
http://www.bathroomvanities.info/
http://www.kitchensuniverse.com/

Plywood And 2 X 4 Framed Fireplace

Perfect Addition to Your Home

When you have brought your dream home and got it looking ideal many of us start to look at wayB68s of expending what we have already got to make it even better. There are numerous ways that this can be achieved such as a loft conversion or a barn conversion or even extending over a garage to create an extra room but if you are looking for a more simple way of giving you and your family that little bit extra then why not invest in a conservatory?

A conservatory can do a lot for your property such as giving you an extra room. It can create the extra space that your home could be bursting for or you could choose to use it in a more unusual way. Whatever you have in mind there are certain tings that need to be decided on before you make any building plans.

The main and first consideration that you need to thoroughly think through when it comes to the decision of a conservatory is what you want your conservatory for. There are so many options open to you when it comes to this decision. Some of the most common uses of a conservatory includes:

A playroom

A dinning room

Office space

Second living room, no more arguments about the TV!

A room for your teenager and their friends to hang out in

Or as an extension to your garden

Many people however decide on a more unusual purpose for their conservatory such as a swimming pool, a games room where they can keep a pool table or a poker table or maybe you are planning to install your own bar to entertain guests. The list of possibilities really is endless but remember the size, layout and style as well as the materials that will be used are all based on what you intend to use your conservatory for.

To get the best from your conservatory it is important that you take the time to find the best building company to construct your conservatory. You should get quotes and shop around to find the best deal. However remember you get what you pay for so don't just decide to go for the cheapest.

When deciding on your conservatory you should choose your material wisely but be aware when doing so as the material you choose can affect the lifespan, practically and usage of your conservatory. You should ensure that the material that you choose should be easy to maintain and clean. PVC frames are the best option along with a stone or brick base. When choosing the base of your conservatory you should choose one that is an exact or a very close match to the stone/brick that is used on your property.

If your conservatory is going to be south facing it means that it will be exposed to more sun in which case you need to provide adequate ventilation with a good choice of blinds for your window.

Your conservatory should compliment your house and shouldn't take up a large amount of space in order for it to look the best; remember it acts as an addition to your house rather than a 'bolt-on.'

Within the UK you don't generally need planning permissi3E7on to build a conservatory, however it is always advised to check.

Helen is the web master of ARCH Building Solutions who are specialists in Conservatory Installation

Please feel free to republish this article provided a working hyperlink remains to our site

Painting Books

Top Returns For Your Home Remodeling Investment

Home improvement projects do not always payoff as an investment, but then we seldom undertake a project for purely monetary reasons. More often than not we want to remodel a kitchen or bathroom, convert a garage or do some other project simply to make living a little "better". The increased value of our home is of secondary consideration. Nevertheless, it is a consideration and is a very effective way of increasing the value of a home.

The goal of most home improvement projects is generally to add more space or light to an existing room or to improve and modernize the house or apartment utilities such as kitchen, bathroom, garage, or heating. Home improvement projects such as these not only preserve or even enhance the value of a property but often add a higher degree of safety.

Return On Investment - A Brief Guide

The following is presented as a guide only to assist you in deciding which project to undertake first if money is a consideration and multiple projects are being planned.

• Kitchen remodel (minor) in Connecticut = 125%
• Kitchen remodel (major) in Kentucky = 92%
• Bathroom remodel in Oregon = 90%
• Bathroom remodel in Missouri = 96%
• Master bedroom in Florida is 86%
• Basement remodel in California = 98%
• Exterior paint in Pennsylvania = 90%

Kitchens - A Place To Start

Kitchen remodeling may include such items as new or re-faced cabinets, counter tops, flooring and appliances. Redesigning your kitchen to enhance work flow in meal preparation will make cooking a much more pleasant experience and add to the resale appeal of your home. Obviously, kitchen remodeling can be a major renovation project, however there are many do it yourself home improvements that can be done in the kitchen. Vinyl laminate flooring is ideal for a small budget kitchen home improvement job.

Bathroom Are Going Upscale

If you are trying to increase the value of your home by improving just one room in the house, you might well want to consider5B4 the bathroom. This is definitely a place to take a hint from the current crop of new homes being built. Luxurious bathrooms are in vogue. Today, a major bathroom upgrade could and probably should be one of the most luxurious renovations you do in the entire home. Particular attention needs to be paid to the sink and counter top. Your eyesight naturally goes there when entering a bathroom. The large home improvement store such as Lowes' and Home Depot can supply you with just about anything that you can dream of today.

Basements - A Caution

Before undertaking a basement remodel be sure you have moisture under control. Damp or literally wet basements are a problem in many areas. This can usually be easily corrected by a professional but be sure to get several bids before doing this. Basement moisture control is one area noted for scams and/or shoddy, unnecessary work.

General

Home improvement is generally done with the intention of adding some space to an existing room or to add some light to the room. Keep in mind that a building permit is usually required when performing structural work or when a home's basic living area is changed.

Planning for home improvement is like planning for a war; no matter what your estimation as to cost and time is, it will probably take longer and cost more than you estimated. Unlike war, however, home improvement is usually worth it. Home imp5B0rovement is a really a good investment, producing both a better place in which to live and an increase in the long term value of your house.

Summary

Home improvement includes the repairing, remodeling, altering, converting, modernizing or adding to residential property. It is not an exact science. Any home improvement project needs to be carefully planned with professionals consulted when needed. If adding value is your prime consideration, plan first on upgrading the kitchen and bathroom which offer the best return for you home improvement dollar.

Gerry Marsh is a successful author and publishes several websites in the areas of real estate and insurance. For more information on home improvement see his Home Improvement and Kitchen Remodeling sites.

Fireblocking

Questions to Ask Your Home Builder

On average, Americans spend 65 percent of their time in their homes. If you're going to be spending that much time in one place, you want to make sure it's safe, comfortable, and going to stand the test of time. Relying on somebody else to build your dream home is a scary thing, but it must be done. Here are a few questions to ask your home builder to ensure that you're getting somebody who's ethical, customer-oriented and will do a good job.

Q. Are they an HBA member?

Find out what organizations your home builder is a part of. Many associations, like the Home Builders Association, have very strict policies for members. If your builder is a member, then you know they're held to a higher standard.

Q. What is their policy on Energy Star homes?

Not only do Energy Star homes lower greenhouse emissions and help the environment, but they also save their owners a lot of money on energy bills. In 2005, Energy Star homeowners saved $12 billion on their utility bills. Some builders build 100 percent Energy Star homes; others don't. Find out what your builder will do.

Q. What kinds of insurance does the builder carry?

It is very important that your builder carry at least three types of insurance: personal liability, worker's compensation and property damage. If your builder doesn't carry these types of insurance, you may be held liable for injuries or damage that occur on the job. Be sure to ask!

Q. Do they offer a guarantee?

There are a hundred things that can change your ability to purchase a home. If you lose your job, or are unable to sell your old home, or if there are problems with the builder, you might want to back out. Ask your builder if they have a money-back guarantee, so that you're not left holding the bill for a product you're not happy with. For example, PMC Homes of Tulsa offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee if their customers are not satisfied.

Q. How long have they been in business?

Not that it's bad to go with a relatively young company, but if you go for a builder who's been in business for 15 or 20 years, you know you're with somebody who has the quality to stick around that long.

Q. What have their previous clients said about the builder?

Any builder should be proud to show off their previous homes and happy clients. See if you can talk to a few and find out how they felt about the home-building process.

Building a home can seem a daunting process, but it doesn't have to be scary. Don't be afraid to ask your builder questions, and if you're not satisfied with the answers, go look elsewhere. In the end, it's your home they're building.

PMC Homes is Tulsa's premier new home builder and has been building home owners' dreams for 20 years. They are known for quality construction, service and warranties as well as many home design innovations. They pride themselves on excellent craftsmanship and close attention to the needs and desires of their customers. For more information on building your dream home from a builder with 20 years of experience, visit PMCHomes.com.

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List Building Creates Leveraged Traffic

First of all, what is leveraged traffic? Leveraged traffic is traffic that you get in some multiple after you have created the initial traffic.

For example, I generate about 150-200 unique visitors per day, that are brand new visitors. Then, I use list building to leverage them several times over. By using list building, I can leverage that initial traffic into about 700 800 unique visitors per day. The way that it works is that instead of trying to sell someone something the first time they come to my web site, instead I offer them something free.

This entices them to join my email list, and then I can send them to my sales pages in the future. That way I can get up to 5 times as many hits to my web pages than if I settled for just the traffic to my site the first time.

And of course it will work for you.

One of the most important things you need to do (you can see an example of this at the end of this article) is to create a squeeze page for your web site, and drive your traffic to this squeeze page.

A squeeze page is a web page that has as its only function the opting in of subscribers to your email list. There should be no other outgoing links on your squeeze page. Someone should not be able to get into your web site through any means other than if they opt in through your squeeze page. The key idea here is that you are online to make a living, to take in an income, right?

So if someone will not give you even their name and email address, so you can build an online relationship with them, what are the odds that they will ever give you their credit card information?

You see, some people are trusting online. Some people are not trusting online. And you only want to deal with the ones that are trusting online. Period. And the squeeze page is an excellent method for screening out the trusting ones from the untrusting ones. Let the ones who will never by anything online, go to your competitors web site and eat up bandwidth and take all their freebies. I prefer to give my freebies to people who trust me enough to give their name and email address, and a certain percentage of them will buy from me on down the road.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide

Download it free here: Secrets of Article Promotion

Sean Mize is a full time internet marketer who has written over 1574 articles in print and 11 published ebooks.

Repaired Shower Wall Framing

List Building Logic

List building is a prime component of networking.

Networking is a prime component of ecommerce.

Ecommerce is a prime component of a home-based business.

Home-based businesses are a prime component in dream fulfillment.

Dream fulfillment if s primary component in experiencing lifes purpose.

If you follow a trail of logic back far enough it should lead either to an answer that enhances your life or complicates it.

In this series of events we start with a marketing tool that many may overlook list building. By following the cause and effect motion begun by list building we see that it ultimately aids in the fulfilling lifes purpose as relates to business and personal passion.

A wise man once told me that I should find a way to make my hobbies pay for themselves.

For instance if I enjoy fishing I should try to find some way to make that pay for itself. Maybe my love of fishing becomes a catalyst for a business that escorts tourists to special fishing locations that may not show up on a map. Maybe it means conducting boat tours for fishing.

If my hobby is writing then I should try to find a way to use my writing to pay for itself and maybe make a little profit too.

Hobbies are often the best expression of our personal passions. Those personal passions may ultimately find voice in an online business. From that point there are natural branches that extend out to ecommerce, networking and, of course, list building.

List building is the process of seeking out (or welcoming) individuals who are passionate about the same thing you are. The end result is building a list that you can share not only your enthusiasm, but also knowledge and ideas for using the product or service you are passionate about.

Some people may view list building as either exceptionally hard work on one hand and intimidating on the other. Look at it this way, when you have good news you dont really think about whether you SHOULD share it, you wonder how many people you can share it with.

If its something you are passionate about the chances are pretty good you will want to share it with anyone willing to listen.

This is why list building is important. You should work to find ways to welcome new visitors to your website and then give them the opportunity to sign up for information that will help spread good news about a shared passion.

Follow your passion to a logical conclusion. You might find it leads to a business that relies on list building to identify motivated consumers.

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites.com at: http://www.highpowersites.com Start your own ebook business with BooksWealth at: http://www.bookswealth.com

2 X 12 Stair Tread Bracket

List Building and Organic Choice

What if you were able to develop a much more efficient and targeted email marketing campaign based on your approach to list building?

I think its possible and the end result may be a more satisfied group of customers and site visitors and an improved bottom line.

If your website has multiple product lines you may be able to segment your email marketing campaign to reflect the actual interests of your site visitor. The truth is you may be surprised at how this can help you pinpoint areas of interest by your motivated site visitor while minimizing potential inbox clutter for your customers.

Lets say, for the sake of example, you have a company that sells lotions, shampoos and conditioners. You could work to develop list-building techniques using a broad range appeal, but for a more focused approach to email marketing you can develop a separate list service for each broad category.

In this case you may have one list for shampoos, another for lotions and a third for conditioners. It may be that you have site visitors who have an interest in all three, but there will also be some that are interested in one specific product line. You have the ability to keep them happier by developing a means of alerting them to sales and product information related specifically to a product line of their choosing.

If, hypothetically, the product line is shampoos then you provide an opt in link that allows the site visitor to sign up for information about shampoos only.

This list building procedure allows you to better grow your email-marketing list in an organized, yet laser focused manner.

This may seem like more work than you may want to do, but the truth is this gives you greater control and flexibility in satisfying the informational needs of those on your list.

By targeting your online list building efforts you are letting your customers know you are aware of the value of their time and are willing to do what it takes to ensure they are only contacted when there are sales, coupon code offers or new information about the product line they chose.

You can use phrasing like, Click to be alerted to special sales of this product.

Some visitors may want to be included in every list you have available, but for those who may have limited interest in most products, but large interest in a particular product, a more focused approach could help you retain these individuals as consumers of your product line.

In list building it is appropriate to get specific and stay focused.

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites.com at: http://www.highpowersites.com Start your own ebook business with BooksWealth at: http://www.bookswealth.com

Roofing

How to Cool Off Your Attic with Radiant Barrier and Start Saving Money

It is starting to get cooler outside, so now is the perfect time to talk about making your attic cooler all year long. How would you like to lower your attic temperature by 20 degrees in the summertime? This could be 30 degrees in the southern U.S.

Whether youre building a new home or have an existing home, Im going to tell you the benefits of an attic radiant barrier.

Let me ask you three questions.

1. In the summer, what is the hottest part of your house?

2. Where is your ductwork located? Attic or crawlspace?

3. Why would you put it in the attic?? (For 90% of you its in the attic, right?)

When consulting on new home construction we advise people not to put the ductwork in the attic. You can lower your cooling loads by as much as 20% just by getting the ductwork out of the attic. Now I know that isnt always possible so we recommend placing the ductwork directly on the ceiling joists and covering it with cellulose insulation. This along with an attic radiant barrier makes for a pretty efficient heating and cooling system.

For existing home construction we advise using an attic radiant barrier that either staples to the bottom of rafters or covers your attic insulation like a blanket.

Using attic radiant barriers is not a new concept. It has been around since 1960. In 1999 Doug Rye decided to use TechShield radiant barrier roof decking on a model home. The builder has his doubts but Doug insisted on using TechShield. After it was installed, the builder was sold on it. It was summertime and he found that it was much cooler working inside the unfinished house once the radiant barrier was installed than it was outside.

Since then we have heard story after story of how radiant barrier lowers the temperature of a house during construction. Weve heard stories from framers where they would rather eat lunch inside the house because its cooler than outside. Even the framers working next door eat lunch with them because its cooler.

The radiant barrier roof decking product is made using a process that laminates a thin, yet durable, sheet of aluminum foil to the surface of OSB board. When the sun strikes a roof, the radiant energy from the sun heats the roof and that heat radiates into the attic.

50%-75% - Radiant Heat Loss

Radiant barrier prevents up to 97 percent of that radiant heat in the roof from radiating in to the attic. As a result, it can lower the attic temperature by 30 degrees. And in the southern U.S. where temperatures easily reach 95 degrees and above, thats a huge difference!

For years, weve been telling homeowners not to put the ductwork in the attic and thats still good advice. But if your ductwork is in the attic, I recommend installing an attic radiant barrier which is available at most home centers.

By reducing temperatures in the attic, you are taking a lot of heat off the ductwork, which means your air conditioner wont have to work as hard and youll save money on your electric bill. And, of course, you also need plenty of cellulose insulation in the attic to keep the heat from radiating into the living areas of the home. Ill cover cellulose insulation in a future issue.

The most common concern people have regarding attic radiant barrier has to do with the temperature of the shingles of the roof. They want to know if it will damage the roof shingles by allowing them to get too hot. Well, the answer is no.

Attic radiant barrier won't melt the shingles. A study in Florida measured the temperatures of roof shingles above radiant barriers and found that the peak temperatures are only 2 to 5 degrees higher than the temperature of shingles on roofs without radiant barriers.

For existing home construction a thin, light weight radiant barrier can be installed. This radiant barrier is either stapled to the underside of the rafters or is laid over the ceiling insulation. This radiant barrier is clean, easy to handle, and requires no special tools or clothing.

A radiant barrier is available at most home improvement centers for around 60 cents per square foot.

Until next month, be safe and God Bless!

Phillip Rye www.philliprye.com

Doug Rye is a nationally recognized energy consultant and licensed architect. Doug also host the "Home Remedies" radio talk show that is broadcast in 15 states.

Phillip Rye is a licensed engineer and has spent the past 15 years studying energy efficiency and energy conservation.

Discover how you can have lower utility bills guaranteed! Visit http://www.dougrye.com

Formed Steel Stairs Bottom View

Choosing The Best Kitchen Floor Plan For Your Family

Probably the most important aspect of a kitchen remodel is choosing the floor plan. When deciding on how to lay out your kitchen, you should really take the time to think about how your family uses the space and pick a plan that will be most functional for you.

The floor plan in a kitchen consists mainly of the cabinets and island and perhaps a separate eat in area. Theres basically 5 different shapes in which you can configure your cabinets.

Cabinets Along One Wall

In the simplest of kitchen you might find cabinets along one wall only. This could be practical if you have a long narrow kitchen. This is the least functional type of kitchen. If you have to have this type of plan, make sure the sink is in the center with the oven and fridge close by so the cook can easily prepare the food. Also make sure you have enough counter space between appliances a common mistake is to put only 8 to a foot between appliances and there is not much you can do with that little space. This type of layout is not conducive to family gatherings in the kitchen unless you have a larger area where you can put a table and chairs even then, your back will be to everyone as you are preparing the food.

Galley Kitchen

This style of kitchen is often seen in apartments and smaller homes and consists of a somewhat narrow kitchen with cabinets along 2 opposing walls. While this plan is efficient on space it can be difficult to work in as the traffic pattern is right in the middle of where you are trying to prepare food. The configuration makes it a little easier to prepare food in than the once wall configuration, but it does not leave any room for family or friends to join in the fun. The typical galley kitchen is narrow with walls on either side. In this style kitchen, it is best to place the sink and stove on one side of the galley and the fridge on the other.

L Shaped Kitchen

An L shaped cabinet arrangement can make good use of space and be a lot easier to work in. Try to locate the appliances close to the middle of the L, but leave plenty of counter space in between each appliance so the cook has space to work on. If one end of the L is open to another room, you can add bar stools and make it a counter - this type of kitchen is great for having family and friends gather while you are preparing the food.

U Shaped Kitchen

A U shaped kitchen requires plenty of space 8 feet by 8 feet at the bare minimum. This type of layout maximizes storage but can be difficult for more than one cook. Putting a table at the opening to the U can add seating for family to gather. Another option is to open up one side of the U and put bar stools on the other side of the counter. In a U shaped kitchen, the major appliances (sink, fridge, stove) should each be placed each on one leg of the U.

Islands

Islands are great additions to any style kitchen as long as you have the room. An island can be incorporated into any of the kitchen floor plans above and can add to the ease of cooking in kitchens that are rather large as you can locate a sink or stove on the island and have it near the other appliances for ease of use in cooking and preparing food. In order to incorporate an island into our kitchen you need to have 42 of aisle space on all sides. If your kitchen is too small to allow for this, try a portable island that you can move in and out as needed. Islands are great places to have an extra appliance or add an eating counter.

Lee Dobbins loves to decorate and write about decorating. Visit her site for more unique and unusual Kitchen Decorating Ideas and tips on kitchen decorating themes.

Concrete Stair Handrailing