The book opens with basics of ceramic and stone tile that walks the reader through the process of picking the right tile for their home, the kinds of tools they will need to complete various projects and how to prepare for a new tile installation. We appreciated this section since it does go into more information on the many different types of tile as well as their suggested uses. If you've always wanted a certain kind of tile, you may find that it's really not meant for that purpose, so this is a great place to start before you end up spending too much money on tile selection.

This section provides an absolutely exhaustive list of the tools you'll need and what purpose they serve. This is perfect for beginners who may not know exactly what they will need to get each type of job done. It also serves as a handy shopping list. Even the most complex tools are completely explained so that anyone can pick one up and begin using it properly.

The section on removing old flooring or countertops is very useful and contains some tips that will make the job go a lot faster. This is perfect for those who are not used to ripping out old tile and contains some safety tips that will make it a lot less dangerous for those who are new. In keeping with the times, this last section also includes a how-to on installing a floor warming system. This is not only energy efficient, but can greatly add to the value of your home. While you've got your old floor ripped out, you may as well take advantage of this new method of heating.

Moving on to the projects section, there are plenty of tasks here that will probably have you itching to redo something, anything in your home. They are all broken down so that anyone can follow them and get great results. You'll get how-to's on proper planning, and a material's list that makes it even easier to make sure you have everything you need before you get started.

While it includes plenty of flooring and countertop how-to's, we appreciated the projects on backsplashes, shower bases and the more extensive forms of flooring that include intricate designs. Everything is laid out logically and it very easy to follow.
Overall, this is an incredibly helpful book that more than deserves a place in your bookshelf. If you've got a tile project coming up, it's definitely a must-have. Even if you don't, after you read the book, you'll undoubtedly want to start one.

Originally posted 2008-11-21 05:14:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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- Before you buy or build any kitchen storage solutions, you should get a good idea of what you have that needs to be stored. Taking a detailed inventory of everything that you have is a good way to kick of your attempt at creating new kitchen storage solutions. This way you will know exactly what storage solutions need to be added based on what things still need a home.

- Now you need to look at how much space you have and look at different options for kitchen storage solutions that will suit those spaces. How much counter space do you have? How much drawer space do you have? Drawer organizers, cabinet organizers, lazy Susan style organizers, hanging wall racks and hanging pantry door racks are all ideal kitchen storage solutions, but they do not work for every kitchen.

- Shoving everything into cabinets is never an efficient way to do things, no matter how much space you have. More cabinet space or deeper pantry shelves simply means more room for efficient kitchen storage solutions, not more space to shove groceries and pots and pans and other things, where they will never be heard from again.

- Larger counter tops make for more under-counter storage. Many kitchen storage solutions involve racks with shelves or drawers that pull out, meaning you can fit more items into deeper storage areas without risking losing items in the very back simply because you cannot find them.

- Another solution for deep storage areas is "Lazy Susan" style storage, which involves racks that spin. This way, you can store a lot of different items on a single rack, and the rack will spin for easy and efficient access to everything. These are often used for spice racks and storing Tupperware and other plastic containers, but this is an excellent kitchen storage solution for everything in your kitchen.

- One excellent kitchen storage solution is to utilize the ceiling and higher walls when possible. Hang a fruit basket, but fill it with something else if you keep your fruit elsewhere. Keep measuring cups, measuring spoons and other implements in the different tiers of a fruit basket. Hang your pots and pans from the ceiling, as they're easier to take down than to dig out from a deep cabinet. Hang mugs from a rack on the wall to free up some space in your cabinets.

- If you have deep pantries, consider hanging racks on the insides of the doors for smaller products like spices, bullion cubes, boxes of rice, and other little things that get lost easily. These racks are built to make sure the doors still close, but they utilize a lot of unused space for a more efficient pantry.

Achieving efficient kitchen storage solutions is easy, and only takes a little bit of creativity to work with the space that you have.

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Originally posted 2009-01-07 05:44:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Tile -

This is an old standby when it comes to a countertop surface, but it is still quite popular. You'll be able to match just about any décor and they're very easy to install. On the plus side, tiles are usually quite economical, unless you're getting them specially made or designed. You can make your own mosaics and get crazy with colors or you can keep it simple. The overall finished look is completely determined by you, so this is a great surface if you really want a custom feel to your kitchen.

The main downside of tile is that there are some health risks involved if you don't keep it clean enough. Tile caulk or grout can catch food debris and bacteria and they are unfortunately pretty good breeding grounds for diseases. If you do pick tile, make sure that you thoroughly clean not only the tiles, but the grout or caulk in between them. Tile can also crack if you place something heavy or hot on it, so you will need to use extra care with it.

Marble -

This is such a stunning surface and it can add a touch of class to any kitchen. It's moderately expensive, but you'll have a lot of choices when it comes to picking the color scheme and even the design of the marble. These counters are incredibly durable and usually quite scratch resistant. If you do a lot of food prep, this is a very nice material to work on.

The main downside of marble is that it will require some special cleaners to keep it looking nice. These should be used in addition to your regular cleaners. This adds a second step to the whole process and if you're very busy, it can be a bit of a drag. Marble can crack if you place something that is too heavy on it, but overall it is pretty durable if you take the right precautions.

Poured Counters -

This is a relatively new surface that has caught on quickly. By far it is the most durable surface and it's easy to clean. You'll be able to have it poured in any design, so it's perfect for odd shaped kitchens or high design ideas. It takes a lot of effort to damage a poured counter and overall, even though they are the most expensive, they are the easiest to keep up.

Every once in awhile, they do crack and this usually means replacing the entire surface since it is one large piece. Unlike tiles where you can fix the one trouble spot, you'll have to have the entire surface repaired, which is costly and time consuming.

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Originally posted 2008-11-13 03:15:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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First, let's discuss new countertops.

There are numerous different surfaces out there that range from really cheap (formica) to very expensive (poured slabs). You'll need to think about how you normally use your countertops before picking the new surface. Formica is pretty durable, but it is easy to stain. Marble looks terrific, but does have some maintenance issues. Poured surfaces are costly, but last the longest and need the least amount of care. Try to get some samples of various surfaces before you decide which one is right for you. For a compromise, try marble tiles. They're cheaper than marble slabs and easier to install.

For your new sink you'll also have quite a few options.

Most are easy enough to install, and come in sizes that will fit most existing installations. If you're completely replacing your countertops, you'll have more options when it comes to the kind of sink you can use. When picking a surface, remember that stainless steel looks nice but can be hard to keep shiny. Ceramic is a good solution, but make sure that it is properly sealed to reduce the amount of scrapes that can come with normal daily use.

New cabinets can be pretty exciting, and again, you're going to have a lot of new options here.

Glass doors add a touch of class to any new cabinets, and you can add some variety by having a few with solid doors and a few with glass. If you can't find the stain or color you like, get some unfinished cabinets and stain or paint them yourself. If your budget won't allow new cabinetry, you can still overhaul existing cabinets by replacing doors, adding new hardware or simply giving them a fresh coat of paint or a stain.

When it comes to floors, the sky is the limit.

There are so many options right now it can be hard to decide which one is best. Many new kitchens feature poured concrete floors that are then stained to match the décor. However, this is expensive and labor intensive. If you're remodeling on the cheap, you can find peel and stick tiles that can go on above your existing floor. This is a very easy and economical way to jazz up your kitchen with very little effort.

When remodeling your kitchen, try to figure out how much work you can do on your own. If you're handy, you can save a lot of money that can be used for better fixtures or options, if you do the work yourself.

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Originally posted 2008-11-14 03:38:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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• a screwdriver
• a crowbar (to remove the old countertop if necessary)
• your tiles
• your design idea
• a lathe
• tile caulk
• some tile cement

We also recommend gloves if you don't want to get messy. A soft, wet rag is also necessary near the end of the project.

Before you progress any further, you're going to need to have your design planned out. Some places offer idea templates for stock designs, or you can make your own. It's completely up to you. We recommend the following technique to make it really easy. Go to a countertop that you will not be using and lay out all of the tiles in the design you want. You can play around with it here, before they are set in stone so to speak, to work out any design flaws or make any changes. Once you're done, leave this design intact with all of the tiles in place.

Now, go to the surface where you will be adding your tiles. The great thing about mosaic countertop tiles is that you can simply put them over your old counter if you prefer. If not, you'll need to rip out that counter and make sure that the surface below is ready to be tiled. This means sanding it out until it is completely smooth, washing it to remove any debris and letting it thoroughly dry.

Once your surface is ready, you're ready to start adding your tile cement. You may need to mix it depending on the type of cement you're using, so make sure that you follow the instructions on the container. We recommend doing only one row of cement at a time just in case you need to make changes. You won't run the risk of having the whole thing dry out if you're doing only one row at a time.

Grab your lathe and apply a thin coat of the cement for the first row. Here's the fun part (and it's incredibly easy!) Go over to the counter where you laid out your design and take the first tile out. Put it in the cement, pressing it down firmly but gently. Go back to the design and grab the next tiles, repeating until your first row is done. This makes it super easy to put together your new design.

Once all of your tiles are in place, you'll need to fill in the gaps with special tile caulk. Spread the caulk all over the tiles. It will look messy, but you're going to wipe that off of the tiles in a second. Don't let it dry once you've spread the caulk, but go back and gently wipe off the caulk from the tiles, but not from the gaps. You're done!

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Originally posted 2008-11-23 17:51:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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