Attention countertop shoppers! Lowe's is offering to throw in a FREE sink with a purchase of at least 25 feet of a Formica, Corian, LG Hi-Macs Solid Surface or Zodiaq Quartz countertop. The sink can be valued up to $480. The offer is good until 12/31/08 and is available both in-store and online.
Here's a collection of sinks that will get your attention. The most striking, in my opinion, is the amber sink lit from below, pictured here. Rachiele of Florida builds custom sinks out of semi-precious gemstones such as turquoise and jasper. They do beautiful work and were recently profiled on HGTV. Their products can only be found in selected luxury kitchen dealers, but you can contact the company directly at 1-800-881-9044.
With checks already in the mail, you may be wondering how you are going to spend (or save) the tax rebate that is part of the government's economic stimulus plan. According to a survey conducted by building products manufacturer Johns Manville and reported on the Building Online web site, 24 percent of U.S. homeowners are "considering using" the money they will receive as part of the federal economic stimulus package to upgrade or improve their homes. One in five said they would "definitely use" their rebate money for a home improvement project. Respondents had definite ideas on what those projects would be. Here's how they said they'd spend the rebate: "household upgrades, including landscaping (23 percent) or an upgrade of the bathroom (13 percent) or kitchen (12 percent); improving their homes' energy efficiency, including adding attic insulation (9 percent), caulking or sealing (4 percent), or installing energy efficient light bulbs (4 percent); or painting a room (10 percent)." How will you spend your rebate?
When you think of countertop material, paper probably comes far down on the list, if at all. But Shetka Stone of Minnesota manufactures countertops made entirely of recycled waste paper. The kitchen countertops are durable; scratch-, stain- and water-resistant; and, perhaps most surprisingly, class A fire rated. Check out their web site for more information on this clever use of recycling.
With our daughter now sitting up and the crawling stage just a few short months away, my wife and I have been babyproofing our home in a big hurry. We've attached the bookcases to the wall and are now securing the kitchen. And I've got to say, I love these magnetic key locks from KidCo used to secure cabinet doors. They install without tools and drilling, are invisible from doors' exteriors and, once in place, the cabinet can only be opened using a magnetic key. They are available for purchase on our site.
I love this article and think you will, too. Money magazine has written a humorous yet sensible piece called "5 Dumbest Renovation Fads." Here they are:
1. The great room craze 2. The kitchen stadium 3. The garage that ate your home 4. Porches in the wrong place 5. Built-in lighting
Not satisfied to just point out what went wrong, the author also provides details on how to re-do each area "the right way."
