Here's a "hot" bathroom trend. I'm starting to see more and more homes being built with luxury master bathroom suites equipped with custom shower systems. Makes $en$e to me. Builders know that nice kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. A HUGE custom shower room...yes...shower room surely would have a big WOW affect on potential home buyers.

We happened upon a custom home with a shower room system equipped with multiple shower heads in the master retreat.

Is this shower room overkill? You decide.

What do you get when you combine:

• a travertine tiled low-step shower with a thin, transom-like window for light
• a two-person Neptune whirlpool tub
• dual sinks and a vanity with a granite counter top
• a wet bar with plenty of storage below
• flush-mounted glass paneled cabinets with storage drawers below
• a sitting area
• a huge custom-built walk-in closet with lots of cubbies
• a water closet
• custom towel cabinet
• travertine tiled floor
• dual skylights
• a cathedral ceiling

...one of the largest master bathroom suites you'll probably ever see in a house in this price range (mid- $400's).

'Help! My Weber gas grill has fallen and it can't get up!'
Pardon the slight adaptation of that old commercial slogan but I've got a slight dilemma on my hands here. OK...so it's not quite on a level anywhere near what the astronauts on Apollo 13 went through but's it's a problem, nonetheless. I bought my smokin' red Weber Genesis 1000 back in the early 90's and, unfortunately, it has seen better days.

It has been the best (well...the only) gas grill I've ever owned. Nearly every homeowner owns a grill these days. I love mine so much that I've bought quite a few replacement parts and accessories for it over the years to keep it up and running. But now rust has reared its' ugly head and limited my options on prolonging the life of my friend...ol' Red.

If I can resuscitate ol' Red, I will, but I might need to face facts and send him to that big grilling party in the sky.

Why would I want to toss out a grill that's given me 15 years of nearly flawless service and delicious meals?

The value of whole house surge protectors is immeasurable.

Nearby lightning strikes, large equipment cycling on and off at nearby factories, downed power lines and even powering up or down your larger appliances in your own home are all sources of power surges.

I had a whole-house surge suppressor professionally installed in my home less than a year ago while the electrician was on-site preparing the wiring and breakers for my natural gas range to be installed.

I am convinced it was a very good investment. Here are a few reasons why...

I always have my camera with me when I visit my local home improvement centers. You never know what cool stuff you'll see or if you need to take a quick photo to capture dimensions, prices, etc. Today was no exception and I'm glad I had my camera. Why?

They had a misting patio umbrella on display in the garden department. It's summer. I'm in Georgia. You had better believe that I made a bee-line towards it to cool off. What will they think of next??!!

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