My husband and I just spent the past year remodeling our house, so I have a lot to say about the disagreements that can arise during the process. A home renovation project always entails a certain amount of stress, which can make matters worse. The saying goes “if your marriage can survive a building project, you can probably make it through anything.”

My husband likes to “do things the right way the first time,” even if it takes forever to finish a project. I, on the other hand, look for the quickest way to reach the end goal while still producing a quality result. That was where we disagreed the most on our project. He wanted to do the extensive renovation, completely changing the layout of our house, although he didn’t think the kitchen really needed very much of an upgrade. I just wanted to fix-up the kitchen and call it good. We ended up doing things his way, along with a full kitchen remodel; and even though the project took six-months longer, I have to admit the improvements were definitely worth it. Ultimately, we both gave a little and settled on a reasonable point.

Home renovations are normally advantageous. However, they do entail a certain amount of expense and disruption to your life. Along the way, you and your spouse are bound to disagree over improvements, materials, and other issues that arise along the way. Try to find a middle ground, each giving a little. We also drew on the opinions of friends, family, our contractor, and realtor for advice. That helped us to make a more informed decision instead of just operating off of personal opinion and emotion.

Don’t be afraid to take a break and get away for a few days. A nice retreat together or even an evening away from all of the stress will help you to clear your minds and reconnect.  

Kitchen photo by SRJ Construction & Design

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Learn more about green windows.

This article compares and contrasts the various types of windows based upon their “green” value. It rates each product by how sustainable and energy efficient it is, its pollution impact both in its creation and disposal, and how it ultimately impacts the building’s greenness as a whole.

Consider installing earthen floors.

These aren’t quite like those described in “Little House on the Prairie,” but almost just as natural and sustaining. These clay floors are constructed in location by pouring a wet mixture of sand, straw, and clay over a gravel sub-floor. The hardened clay is then polished and sealed to create a natural flooring that absorbs heat for solar thermal heat gain and has a minimal carbon-footprint. The floors are also less expensive to install than other flooring materials.

One of the added benefits of visiting helpful sites like these is that you are directed to sister sites and other beneficial resources. The growing green lifestyle is supporting a whole network of information and support so that we all can share information and ideas.   

Photo credits: WFCA

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Remember the old days when you had to have those really big speakers in order to be able to hear the music in more than one room? Sound systems have come a long way, and perhaps the best feature we can now enjoy is full-house surround sound. If a new sound system is on your wish list this year, then here are a few tips to maximize its enjoyment to the full potential.

Modern sound systems work wiring speaker wires throughout a house so that every room can have speakers if desired. Each room will have a tiny speaker in the corner. All you have to do with your new sound system is to plug it into a central port and you’re good to go. The great part about installing your system this way is that you can enjoy your music anywhere at anytime. You can even run speakers out to your patio or backyard.

There are many amazing sound systems on the market these days. Choose from features such as surround sound that imitates the sound quality of a theater. Huge speakers are out, but you may still need a subwoofer to help boost the sound. Multi-room systems can allow for you to watch your favorite shows or listen to music from any location in your home. When shopping for a system, look for one that can incorporate your plasma or LCD TV into the system as well. If you are looking for just the right system, here is a site that presents the good and the bad of some of the top brands on the market: Best 5 Home Audio Products.

Bob Vila offers a helpful visual example of a standard whole-house system, complete with a central entertainment center, individual room outlets, and even speakers in the garden. Request free estimates from pre-screened electrical contractors in your area to install your new sound system.  

Photo Credit: cinz  

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• Ceramic Tile. Although very attractive, ceramic tiles have a PEI rating of 0-3 and are not recommended for heavy traffic areas. They also absorb more water, which makes them less desirable for exterior applications. The water can either freeze, causing cracks, or lead to mold or mildew growth.
• Porcelain Tile. These tiles are very durable and many have a PEI rating of 5 making, them an excellent choice for both indoors and out.
• Natural Stones. These can include granite, slate, limestone, travertine, and marble. The PEI ratings vary with these, with all of them except marble being durable enough for floor use.

PEI ratings are broken down as follows:

• PEI Class 1 Rating (No foot traffic)
• PEI Class 2 Rating (Light traffic)
• PEI Class 3 Rating (Light to moderate traffic)
• PEI Class 4 Rating (Moderate to heavy traffic)
• PEI Class 5 Rating (Heavy to extra heavy traffic)

If you are ready to install new tile in your home, then request free estimates from certified tiling and flooring experts in your area.  

• Tiling and Flooring Contractors in Eliot, Maine
• Tiling and Flooring Contractors in Avondale, Arizona
• Tiling and Flooring Contractor in El Jobean, Florida

Photo Credit: BaronBrian

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Homeownership is often paired with repairs, renovations, additions, and upgrades. If you are a homeowner, I’m sure you’ve encountered many questions and issues along the way where it would have been helpful to have a quick and informative resource to reference. That is what we’ve tried to create through our library feature.

If you haven’t noticed it already, our remodeling library is packed full of information on many areas of home improvement. Organized into accessible categories that are broken down by each area of a house, you can read articles about everything from small bathroom remodels to kitchen plans, types of garage doors to replacement windows. Each classification is extensive.

Take our section on Andersen Windows as an example. We dissect each area of their product line, highlighting, comparing, and contrasting the various features of each of their products. We offer the comparison of a competing company as well in our section on the Pella Window and Door Company.

Our library is helpful when you are planning a renovation project as well. It offers design ideas and style tips, highlighting new products and materials and showcasing the various options available for you. I remodeled my kitchen last year before I was aware of CalFinder’s site. Now that I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about kitchen design and the various products out there, I would probably design my kitchen much differently today. When I was choosing my countertopping, I thought my only options were formica, corion, tile, and granite; essentially just what my local home improvement store offered. Now that I’ve learned more about the many other choices for countertopping, I like the idea of something more unusual such as concrete, recycled glass, or slate.

When you get a free moment, take a peek at our library. You might be surprised what little tidbit of information might help you out a bit. Request a free estimate from a prescreened remodeling contractor in your area.

Photo Credit: faena

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I have a thing for baskets; there is just something appealing about their many woven shapes and sizes that draws me to them. They can fill so many different purposes, some decorative, some practical. Here are 10 of my favorite uses for baskets:

1. Laundry Hamper. Hampers aren’t necessarily the most attractive item in your house, but absolutely necessary. Make yours less of an eyesore and buy one made out of basket material.
2. Kids’ Toy Box. A large basket is easy for kids to access and makes it even easier for them to clean up after themselves.
3. Magazines. A taller basket works well for placing magazines at the end of couches or in bathrooms.
4. Fruit Bowl. Grace your table or countertop with a basket full of fruit.
5. Plant Pots. Baskets with a plastic liner make for a decorative plant pot.
6. Towel Storage in Bathrooms. For that bathroom lacking in storage, try placing a large basket in a corner for towel storage. A small one on the sink or back of the toilet works well for decorative soaps.
7. By the Front Door. A basket on a table by the front door makes a quick drop spot for keys, bills, etc. A larger basket on the floor can hold shoes or house slippers.
8. Shelf Organizers. Small baskets work wonders on open shelves for organization, especially in children’s rooms.
9. Pet Beds. Cats and dogs alike love the protective embrace of a large basket surrounded by a warm cushion.
10. Serving Trays. Use baskets to serve warm bread, rolls, or appetizers.

I think one of the reasons I love baskets so much is because they are so versatile. They provide an attractive way to disguise and organize clutter and look great pretty much anywhere.

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Fradkin Mittendorf Fine Construction Inc.

Located in the Seattle area, this company specializes in residential renovations and is very experienced in kitchen and bathroom renovations. Check out the modern and sophisticated examples of work provided. Fradkin Mittendorf is also quite concerned about preserving the environment and remains cognizant of this throughout the duration of its projects.

G.S. Youlden

is located in Mashpee, Massachusetts and specializes in general bathroom and kitchen remodeling. As you can see from this company’s work, its remodeling capabilities are expansive.

Maranatha Construction

has 25 years of experience that it proudly hangs its tool belt on. The company provides quality construction to the Los Angeles and Orange County regions. To ensure the success of your project, one of the owners promises to be on site every day to ensure quality construction.

As you can see on each of the links provided above, in addition to offering a referral for a free estimate, we also give you the opportunity to rate your experience and to offer feedback to help us monitor each of the companies we refer. This process helps to create a valuable resource for homeowners and contractors alike. See what companies are certified in your area today, and request free remodeling estimates for your renovation project.

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For most of my childhood, I was very shy and preferred the solitude of my own thoughts instead of the company of friends. I would sneak away to my favorite hideaway as often as possible to daydream or to get lost in my favorite book. I even spent hours writing stories for my younger siblings, allowing my active imagination to run wild. I gradually emerged from my shy cocoon, and before I knew it, life had swept me up in the chaotic rat-race of obtaining an education, paying the bills, and advancing a career.

For me, the only way I can stay grounded in life is to slow down occasionally and take stock of where I am in my life, where I am going, and who I am as a person. With two young children, I have to grasp these fleeting quiet moments whenever they present themselves. Meditation for me can come at any moment, even if I only close my eyes for five minutes at a time. This simple halt in my daily activities allows me to pray and reemerge with a renewed perspective, removing me from the nonsensical goings-on of life. I’m able to refocus on what my life really is in the larger scheme of things.

Whoever you are, whatever you do, and wherever you live, you have to take this time to allow your conscience to catch up with you. Many people like to create a spot in their home or yard that is conducive to this meditative state. Think of what helps you to slow down and relax, whether it is a certain scent, a piece of art, certain colors, or a sound such as running water or music. Don’t look to a yearly vacation to catch your breath; create your own special place where it is easily accessible.

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With two children, we tend to avoid staying with too many people; but when we do, I always notice much more about their homes than I hope anyone ever notices in mine. Have you ever noticed how much more you can see from a removed perspective in somebody else’s house than in your own?

I traveled to my relative’s this past summer in Sacramento, and even though they lived in a very expensive home in Folsom, I couldn’t help studying the house with a critical eye. I always notice interior design, and their colors were so bland. The house would have looked so much richer with the addition of some deeper hues along with some decorative moldings. Speaking of moldings, the baseboard was a thin 1×2 that looked very tacky and cheap. It was interesting to me to notice how their home was worth twice as much as mine, but was half as nice.

Mainly because we are out of our comfort zones, we are all more aware of the layout of other’s homes than our own. We get so used to the little inconveniences in our houses that we don’t even notice them anymore. If there is an awkward feature such as the guest bath backing the family room, you feel really uncomfortable with that in someone else’s home. I probably shouldn’t disclose all of my little secrets as no one will want me to stay with them anymore, but I’m acutely aware of the cleanliness of other’s homes as well. Dust bunnies and dirty windows are blaringly obvious (which reminds me, mine need cleaning).

None of this is really that important, although you might just take a step back occasionally and try to see your home as through the fresh eyes of a guest. Look for little repairs that need fixing such as holes in the walls, chipping paint, or caulking that should be replaced. 

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I’ve never understood video and computer games. I’ve always been much more interested in living and experiencing life than staring at a screen pretending to live in a fantasy. My favorite example of the absurdity of these games is a commercial that can be seen on many networks this holiday season. The commercial begins with a gorgeous landscape complete with rolling green fields and gushing water. The camera spans to a beautiful, window-encased house sitting atop a hill overlooking a picturesque scene. The camera then enters the house to find two girls sitting in a luxurious room, apparently on vacation. They begin discussing what the other would like to do that day, shopping, hiking, etc. You then see that they are actually playing a video game with a surreal world, completely ignoring the resort-like setting they are in. The point of the commercial is to demonstrate how captivating the game is to where you don’t even notice your surroundings. Pretty sad in my book. Just imagine how many hours so many American children spend living in a fantasy world. This is just my opinion, but here is one actual fact regarding video games that no-one can dispute.

According to a recent study conducted by The Natural Resources Defense Council and Eco Consulting, video game consoles consume a collective 16 billion kilowatt-hours per year nationwide. That is close to the total amount of electricity used for the whole city of San Diego in one year. Video games are a growing phenomenon in this country. So much so that some will actually sleep outside of Wal-Mart for days in advance of the release of the most recent model of the Sony Playstation.

So how do we combat this secret contributor to global warming? The study suggested the manufacturers of the consoles install some power-saving modes, but maybe we can all reduce our time spent in oblivion and spend just a little more in reality.

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