Homebuilding / Remodeling Guide
Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.
See standard Shower sizes & dimensions, Toilet sizes & space requirements, bathroom Sink spacing issues, Tub placement & sizes, and overall Bathroom Room Sizes for a full bath, small bath, half bath, and water closet / powder room. Plus, ADA bathroom requirements and online tools to save time & money designing a bathroom.
Read moreOne of our first to-do projects in our new house was to create a happy laundry room. Yes, a laundry room which inspires one to want to “happily” do laundry. My new laundry room is 5x9.5 feet, has a great washer/dryer configuration, lots of storage for household cleaning items, a place to hang freshly laundered clothes, a big table area to fold clothes, and some music! See before & after photos + the details of how we tackled this DIY laundry room makeover.
Read moreFloratam grass is perfect for many homeowners in Florida, southern Texas, Louisiana, and other parts of the United States. But is it the right type of grass for YOUR yard? Here are the pros & cons of Floratam + Tips on growing a beautiful Floratam lawn -- including how to mow, water, and fertilize Floratam properly.
Read morePortable vacuum cleaners are better than ever these days, but a central vacuum system has the winning edge! See why... Here's what I've learned about central vacs, including the cost and DIY installation info too.
Read moreThe Derek Jeter mansion in Tampa, Florida has 32,000 sq. ft. of living space. The master suite alone covers over 2,500 sq.ft.. The sprawling, eclectic English manor on the waterfront is the largest house in Tampa, by far! Here are photos and videos of Derek Jeter's Tampa home, what it's worth today, and a little about what the retired New York Yankees shortstop is doing today.
Read moreThinking of installing an indoor hot tub? At the very least, don't do it yourself! Although an indoor hot tub gives you more privacy and fewer maintenance issues, you have to think about mold inside, weight capacities on your flooring, and the multitude of electrical and plumbing issues that could arise. Here are the pros and cons of indoor hot tub installation.
Read moreIs there such thing as an ecofriendly permanent exterior paint? Maybe. But if you're thinking of adding a ceramic coating to your home or using a ceramic house paint, here's what I now know about ceramic paint that I wish I'd known sooner!
Read moreWondering if you should use a granite sealer on your countertops? The short answer is: Yes! I'll help you determine if your countertops need sealed right now or if you can wait awhile, whether to use a topical sealer or an impregnator sealer, how to seal granite countertops yourself, and how to remove stains from granite.
Read moreWhere does granite come from? How is granite made? The process of bringing Mother Nature's art to market is complex -- and I've seen it firsthand. Here's what I've learned about the process of mining granite slabs and preparing granite slabs for sale in stores. You'll never look at granite kitchen countertops the same way again!
Read moreConsidering automatic driveway gates? Here are the different types of driveway gates, materials that you can choose from, maintenance issues for each type of entry gate, and how to ultimately choose the best driveway gate for your residence.
Read moreRoll roofing is the perfect material choice for the DIYer interested in tackling small roofing projects -- like a shed or porch roof that has a slight sloped roof or a flat roof. I'm a true DIYer when it comes to house projects and I've learned a thing or two that could help with your DIY project. Here are my easy to follow step-by-step instructions for DIY rolled roofing installation.
Read moreAs an interior designer, one of my favorite materials to use inside a home is cork. Cork flooring has many advantages over other popular materials -- including hardwood, tile, and concrete. Two of the biggest reasons I encourage clients to choose cork flooring are: its durability and eco-friendliness. Here are some good things to know before installing cork flooring.
Read moreToilet flush ratings are no laughing matter. They really are important when choosing the best toilet that is energy-efficient and flushes (your business) like nobody's business! Here's what to look for in Maximum Performance (MaP) toilet flush ratings. I'll explain how a MaP rating is verified and how they put toilets to the test.
Read moreBuying a new kitchen sink? If you have a little bit of flexibility in the dimensions, capacity, and cost, then you might want to consider a farmhouse sink (aka an apron front sink). But before you do, here are the 5 most important things to think about when choosing a farmhouse kitchen sink.
Read moreSave money by reading this before you call an HVAC professional -- because keeping your condensate drain line clean and clog-free is easier than you think! Follow these simple steps to maintain your HVAC system's condensate line -- whether you have a gravity flow line (like most people do - including myself) or an a/c condensate pump (like I recently installed).
Read moreImpact resistant windows are a coastal homeowner's best friend -- especially during hurricane season! If you're thinking of retrofitting your home with hurricane windows, here's what you need to know before you begin the process of replacing your regular windows with impact resistant glass.
Read moreConverting a 220V hardwired connection into a 110V standard plug when you install a gas stove is best left to a trained professional, but you can see here how it's done first. Here's my gas stove installation story -- including 3 setbacks that I encountered while installing a gas range in my kitchen.
Read moreIf you typically tackle DIY projects around the house such as painting and woodwork, I'll show you why you should make a (really) small investment in a sanding sponge. It's an invaluable little tool that lives up to its reputation as a "can't do without" item that a DIY homeowner shouldn't be without. See how to use a sandpaper sponge for sanding wood, paint, metal, and drywall.
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