Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY.

flooring, tile

Correcting Minor Tile Mistakes

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on May 14, 2012

When you're laying down tile, wiggle is usually a bad word.  One of the most important lessons to learn is that you always want to take care of any corrections and cleanup before the tile begins... Continue reading

bathroom, tile, flooring

I Named the Tile Bon Qui Qui

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on May 10, 2012

Because it will cut you. I was surprised to find that the edges of porcelain tile are rather sharp.  I was also surprised to find that despite them being identically sized rectangles, they are not... Continue reading

bathroom, plumbing

Misplaced Enthusiasm

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on May 08, 2012

I never really thought excitement would be the emotion I'd feel at the thought of having a sink and toilet working in the same bathroom again. The pedestal sink in the powder room has been... Continue reading

paint

Painting over a Ceiling Stain

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on Apr 25, 2012

Ever have one of those projects that makes you wonder why it took you so long to do it?  Last summer, the A/C went out. Strike that - it was nearly two years ago.  The freezing... Continue reading

landscaping

I Still Hate Mowing

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on Apr 17, 2012

I am never going to like mowing. But now, I've made it a little bit easier with a new newly borrowed self-propelled mower.  I'd been trying to drop hints with my family that I would like... Continue reading

Have You Met: Kit?

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on Apr 11, 2012

Welcome to my very first Hey, Have You Met My Friend? post.  In today's world of tweeting, pinning, iming, liking, and otherwise communicating, I felt it was time to refresh the concept and simply do... Continue reading

paint

What to Do with Paint Sample Rejects

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on Apr 10, 2012

You may recall that over a year ago, I went into the middle of Atlanta to rescue a chair.  I was under the assumption that with painting, planning, and designing my craft room desk, that... Continue reading

landscaping

7 Reasons for Using Rubber Mulch

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on Apr 09, 2012

Michelle from Dream Home DIY had me thinking about mulch the other day. Oh yes, my life is that exciting.  Until recently, I didn't know that rubber mulch was possible for home landscaping.  I've been... Continue reading

decor

Saturday Stimuli: Brass Accents

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on Apr 07, 2012

Light fixtures, hardware, and frames... if used right, brass accents can look sophisticated and chic.  I particularly love the brass bookshelves. Source: thedecorista.com via Carissa on Pinterest Source: meandjilly.blogspot.com via Sarah @The Ugly Duckling House... Continue reading

paint, diy

5 Tips for Priming Any Surface

By Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House on Apr 02, 2012

Priming a piece of furniture can be a little confusing.  What primer should you use?  Does it look like a coat of paint?  What types go with which surfaces? As you probably read on my... Continue reading