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Deal o' the Day

 
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.




Photo courtesy of Rachiele.

Not Your Everyday Sink

 
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.




The survey found that 23 percent plan on using their tax rebate on landscaping projects around their home.

25% May Use Tax Rebate for Home Improvement

 
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?




Photo courtesy of Shetka Stone.

Paper Countertop

 
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.




Save piles of cash with these affordable home improvement tips.

Home Improvement on the Cheap

 
With all signs now pointing at a downturn in the economy, CNN Money has 11 home improvement tips that can spruce up your home on the cheap. The list:
  1. Buy square edge, standard color or remnant stone countertops.
  2. Use stock moldings instead of custom ones.
  3. Purchase container plants when planting for privacy. Container plants cost much less than plants that have been grown in the ground.
  4. Use copper pre-fab roofing.
  5. When buying a bathtub, skip the jets and salvage a claw-foot.
  6. Cut tile yourself. This step can save you about 30 percent of the cost.
  7. When hanging windows, gang together stock double-hungs.
  8. For a dramatic hardwood floor, buy inexpensive oak and apply an ebony stain.
  9. Use a kit and less modules when creating a closet organizing system.
  10. Use stock kitchen cabinets when building a built-in media center.

Read in-depth descriptions of each tip at the CNN Money web page.





Photo courtesy of KidCo.

Magnetic Babyproofing

 
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.




Built-in lighting and large kitchens with countertops too far from appliances are just two of the five "dumbest fads."

5 Dumbest Renovation Fads

 
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."



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