Travertine is a type of limestone. It is also called calcium carbonate.Travertine is created when minerals have dissolved in the ground water and then get moved by natural springs and rivers above ground. It is taken from quarries in large blocks and then cut down into smaller blocks.It has been used for thousands of years in Italy and Turkey, and today Travertine used all over the world for flooring, countertops, backsplashes, and other surfaces where tile is preferred. photo … [Read more...]
There will come a time when you have to purchase new furniture. Over time, sofas wear out beyond repair. And slipcovers cannot hold together a failing frame. Chairs will give way. And tables will be damaged beyond repair. Sure, you could always buy used furniture on consignment, or find free furniture on sites such as freecycle. But sometimes, you just want new. As difficult as it is to part with your money (especially in this economy), there are some ways that you can buy new furniture without … [Read more...]
Copper has been around since... well the Copper Ages. Around 4,000 BC, during the Eneolithic period, man first began making metal tools. Since those early times, uses for copper has continued to grow. In the realm of household plumbing, copper pipe is highly desirable. For one, it doesn't react to water. Also, rust and corrosion are not an issue. At room temperatures, exposure to oxygen creates a very slow chemical reaction leaving a brown/black deposit of copper oxide over the surface. … [Read more...]
I love idea of painting log walls. I really like color and am not afraid of putting it anywhere. I have seen several log home companies displaying homes that have a painted exterior color. For example, the pale green home with white trim that is pictured here is from Heritage Log Homes. Beautiful, don't you think? Here are the plans. If you're thinking about painting interior log walls or the exterior of your log home, there are a few things to consider first... … [Read more...]
Dustless floor refinishing is a low-cost alternative to refinishing your hardwood floors. While hardwood floors definitely have the advantage of being easy to clean up after a spill, just like carpeting, hardwood floors can get dirty, damaged, and rough looking over time if not taken care of properly. Not everyone has the money or inclination to completely strip and refinish their hardwood floors. Because of this, a new process has been developed that can yield the same or similar … [Read more...]
There's a lot more to choosing a toilet than price and style. You also need to consider things like water conservation, function, size, shape, cleanliness, and maybe even color. And it's always helpful to see what others think of a particular brand of toilet (or toilet seat) too. Following is a guide that will help you determine which toilet is the best toilet for your home. Plus, discussion of some of the most modern features in today's toilets. Low-Flow Toilets Most … [Read more...]
When we moved into our current home 6 years ago, we stored our leftover interior house paint in the garage.Now it's dried up and has to be thrown out.I'm not sure that I actually expected it to last 6 years, but the guy at the Benjamin Moore paint store today didn't seem too surprised to think it could last that long. For real.He offered this tip to prolong the life of your paint:When you're done painting, place a piece of Saran Wrap over the opened paint can. Then, hammer the paint can lid on … [Read more...]
According to The National Kitchen and Bath Association and The Home Improvement Research Institute, here's what people spend for things when they're remodeling their kitchen... … [Read more...]
Earlier, I gave a few examples of what makes windowsill decor truly "art" and not just "a storage shelf" for placing everyday items. Here's another example of how I intend to display interesting items in unusual ways along the windowsills of our new log home... For starters, I love to incorporate natural rocks and stones into pieces of art and home decor. I've done that for years. Now, taking this idea to the next level, I plan on adding a few simple stones with words of … [Read more...]
I'm always on the hunt for creative and colorful examples of windowsill art -- as inspiration for my own windows inside our soon-to-be-built log home. In my opinion, windowsill art goes beyond the typical kitchen windowsill displays that you commonly see. You know, the kind of shelf-like displays that take shape more by default (where the kitchen windowsill simply becomes the most convenient place to store certain items) rather than on purpose. In my new log home, I plan to create fun (yet … [Read more...]
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