While most contemporary Tampa bathroom designs use neutral or primary-plus-white color schemes, this one takes a painterly approach that’s downright romantic.

A golden glow that’s almost Impressionistic suffuses this bath, making it cozy even on the chilliest days. The confident complementary color scheme of yellow and violet is rendered here in a luscious cantaloupe and plum.

Used in conjunction with a naturally finished golden maple that’s nearly the color of the tiles, the effect is as warm and uplifting as afternoon sunlight.

Semi-gloss walls in tangerine and plum add depth and richness to the color scheme, making the bath look larger without feeling remote.

Just the right amount of white keeps the colors from becoming monotonous; fittings and accessories in shiny chrome also add a cool touch that’s distinctly contemporary.

A pristinely simple pure white sink and light fixtures in the same spirit make a fresh contrast to the colorful surroundings. To the right of the sink, a spacious closed cabinet in mellow maple and a narrow shelf below the frameless, beveled-edge mirror provide ample storage.

A spacious shower stall tiled in golden hues imparts a warm, pampering air. The shower wall, half tile, half glass, lets the sun shine in while providing a measure of privacy.

The private toilet is a great option for families.

A simple maple banquette next to the shower staff snuggles up beneath a small drop-down vanity storage shelf. Above, a good-size window offers ample natural light for applying makeup. The plum-and-gold color scheme is carried through into the adjacent bedroom.

A private toilet compartment offers all the necessities: good lighting, ample closed storage, and the all-important rack for reading material. The low-profile one-piece toilet takes up minimal space.

To create a similar look, choose two adjacent colors you love, and balance them with their opposite colors. To get the cozy effect of warmth in this bathroom, choose two soft tones. Or choose deeper colors that will give your Tampa bathroom more energy and a vibrant feel.

Your Tampa bathroom remodeling contractor can suggest a variety of color schemes and design strategies to create the feeling you want when you are ready to take on your bathroom remodeling project.

Article Source: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/bathroom-designs16.htm

Feng shui divides the world into five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. If you have a room that doesn’t feel quite right, try balancing the elements to make it more comfortable. Each element invokes a different mood, creating a customized space that’s beneficial for your personality and goals. Here’s a look at each one and how to incorporate it into your Tampa home, yard or office design:

1. Wood. Wood harnesses the power of creativity and expansion while representing traits such as growth, birth, strength, flexibility and intuition. Too much wood can make you feel overwhelmed, rigid, stubborn and inflexible, whereas too little can show up as a lack of creativity or depression, ambivalence and stagnancy.

When designing with the wood element, use shapes that mimic the vertical, column-like shape of tree trunks and the softness of leaves and flowers. Like the leaves and sky, wood’s colors are green and blue. Consider incorporating the following types of objects:

• fresh and silk flowers
• plants and trees
• cotton and other natural fabrics
• wood furniture

2. Fire. Increase enthusiasm and leadership skills by maximizing the fire element. Use this element in design to encourage expressiveness, inspiration and boldness. When there’s an overabundance of fire, it can show itself as anger, aggression, irritability and impulsive behavior, whereas too little can show up as emotional coldness, lack of vision, inexpressiveness and a lack of self-esteem.

To expand the fire element in your space, add:

• candles, incandescent lights and sunlight
• any shade of red, pink or purple
• electronic equipment
• animal prints

3. Earth. Earth affects physical strength and order while generating an overall feeling of grounding, balance and stability. When there’s an overabundance of earth in a space, people will often notice a heavy sensation and experience more boredom, sluggishness and seriousness. When there’s too little earth, people may feel disorganized, chaotic and unfocused.

To bring in the element, add:

• anything in earth tones (brown, green or sand)
• square and rectangular shapes
• low, flat surfaces
• images of landscapes

4. Metal. Metal affects mental clarity and logic. The presence of metal within a room can be felt in personal characteristics such as organization, focus, righteousness and analytical abilities. When surrounded with too much metal, you can be seen as chatty, overly critical and prone to speaking without thinking. When there’s too little metal, you may notice a feeling of quiet, cautiousness and lack of focus.

When enhancing a space with metal, add:

• round or oval shapes
• anything made of metals, including iron, aluminum, gold or silver
• rocks and stones
• white, gray, silver or light pastel colors

5. Water. Water’s domain encompasses spirituality and the emotions. A balance of water brings about inspiration, wisdom and insightfulness. Too much water can create the feeling of unbalanced transition and the sense that you’re drowning emotionally. It can make you feel overwhelmed and overly social. When there’s too little water, you may experience a lack of sympathy, loneliness, isolation, stress and pettiness.

When incorporating the water element, add:

• the color black or any deep, dark tones
• reflective surfaces, such as mirrors and gazing balls
• wavy, free-form or asymmetrical shapes
• water or water features, such as aquariums and fountains

Pulling It Together

Now that you understand the basic characteristics of each element, keep in mind one more thing: The objects in your Tampa home very often have several elements reflected within each of them. For example, a red flowerpot full of white tulips would represent four of the five elements. The red pot represents fire, the clay pot itself is earth, the flowers represent wood and the white of the tulips are metal.

Begin playing with the arrangement of elements by starting small, with an entry table or a dresser in your bedroom. Add your red flowerpot of tulips and a few other items, such as a mirror for water and an arrangement of polished stones for metal.

To tackle an entire room, start by noticing and labeling all the objects within a space. If you find yourself using a specific room less than others or avoiding it altogether, the elemental balance may need some adjusting. Be on the lookout for rooms made up of only one or two elements. By adding in objects that represent those missing elements, you’ll be well on your way to creating a balanced and inviting room in your Tampa home. These are simple principles that you can very easily apply yourself.  If, however, you find that your home’s layout constricts the flow of energy, you might consider consulting your Tampa remodeling contractor and discuss a remodeling project that will create space that allows energy to flow freely.

Article Source: http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/the-elements-of-feng-shui/index.html

When building a new home or remodeling an existing home, flooring choices are everything. With pets in your Tampa home, this becomes even more important, because pets are just as hard, if not harder, than people on flooring surfaces. What are the best flooring choices for pets in the home? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of several types of flooring to help in the decision making process. Consult your Tampa remodeling contractor as well.

Hardwood Flooring

Though this is one of the most desired types of flooring in any Tampa home, it is not the best choice for homes with pets. Pet urine can stain the hardwood, leaving a terrible smell and a dark spot in the wood. Even if urine accidents are cleaned up quickly after the fact, the urine may still seep into the wood, causing damage. To remove these stains, you may have to go so far as to strip, sand, and refinish the floor. If the stains are contained to one small area, this is hassle enough, but if the stains all over the place, the entire floor may need to be redone. At times, the odor and stain may reappear because of salt crystals left behind from the urine that cannot be dissolved. If this happens, completely replacing the wood may be necessary.

Another thing some Tampa pet owners forget to factor in when it comes to hardwood is the pet’s water bowl. If possible, place the water bowl on a mat of some sort to help protect the hardwood from moisture when the bowl spills. Quickly dry the spill after it happens, because moisture can soak down into the wood causing it to swell and contract.

Keeping pets nails trimmed or filed will also be necessary to avoid extraneous scratches on the flooring. As pets walk or run across the floor, their claws may damage the surface. While some owners may elect to declaw their pets, it certainly isn’t a possibility for all.

If the flooring is coated with a high quality urethane, it will be more scratch and stain resistant. Sweep the floors clean at least once a week for best maintenance.

Bamboo is harder than the hardest hardwood flooring and is one of the best pet-friendly flooring choices.

Laminate Flooring

Due to the hardness of laminate flooring, pet owners may turn to it instead of traditional hardwood. While this may work to provide the décor people want, it can be difficult for pets, especially dogs, because they will slip and slide as they walk or run through the home. This will cause their hips to move in unnatural ways, which may cause costly damage to their bodies. This is pronounced in smooth, high gloss laminate floors and can be mitigated somewhat by choosing a laminate floor with an embossed or textured finish. Laminate won’t show scratches as easily as some other surfaces, but because they are so slippery and uncomfortable to lie on, rugs are recommended throughout the home to help the pet.

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is an excellent choice for homes with pets, for many different reasons. It’s harder than the hardest hardwoods, meaning it will stand up to more traffic. It won’t wear out, and it’s completely renewable, so it makes a good choice for those who are trying to be green. It is stain resistant, so people don’t have to worry about accidents or spills. Due to bamboo’s hardness it will save money compared to repairing other types of flooring. For those who are trying to decide between using hardwood and vinyl flooring, choosing bamboo floors is a great compromise.

Cork Flooring

Cork is a green flooring choice good for the environment and the health of the occupants, pets included. Cork is an antimicrobial type of flooring that will reduce the growth of mold and other allergens. Cork is scratch resistant, though it should be swept regularly to prevent scratching from particles of dirt left on the floor. It is an excellent sound absorption option, so as pets walk across the floor, it will not be as loud. While the flooring is water resistant, it is a natural product, so spills should be cleaned up promptly. Discoloration of this flooring will happen over time when exposed to sunlight.

Stone Tile Flooring

This type of flooring is amazing for Tampa pet owners because it does not scratch easily, and scratches don’t show as they do in other types of flooring. When pets have accidents on the floor, there is much less reason to worry over how this will impact the condition of the flooring. With these two factors considered, this is a good choice for pet owners, but the floors are hard and cold so they are not very comfortable to lie on, unless the floor is heated by radiant heat. Consider using area rugs and pet beds to alleviate this problem. Granite is the hardest of the natural stones and is the best choice for scratch resistance. Softer stones such as marble, slate, and travertine may require somewhat more maintenance than granite, especially if they feature a polished finish.

While most people wouldn’t think vinyl to be a very pet friendly flooring choice, the new luxury vinyl flooring is an excellent choice, and it’s great for small children, too. The flooring is scratch and stain resistant, low in allergens, easy to clean and maintain, and even quiet to walk on.

Carpet

When it comes to pets, carpet is likely the worst flooring choice one can make, simply because it is easy to destroy. Even normal wear and tear on carpet in a pet-free home happens faster than with other flooring options. If carpet is the only choice because it is the most cost effective option for home flooring, the best thing to do is choose a carpet without loops as pet nails can snag on the loops and cause the carpet to wear faster.

While budget and ease of installation will be factors impacting the flooring decisions of a home, taking time to consider the best flooring options for pets beforehand may save money in repairs and frustration in the long run. Cutting corners on flooring to save money is not a good choice if the flooring needs to be replaced in a few months or even a year due to the wear and tear from the pets.

Article Source:  http://learn.builddirect.com/flooring-info/animals/pets

Your Tampa remodeling contractor has finished installing your brand new kitchen flooring , and now you are left with the task of maintaining its beauty and luster. Here are some tips from the experts at the NWFA.

Sealed Marble and Tile:

The sealer can last for years with the proper care. Be sure to check the warranty on each sealing application.

1. Using a marble cleaner will help the sealer hold out staining, but not etching. The marble cleaner should have a PH of 7, which is neutral.

2. When spills occur, wipe them up quickly. Do not allow them to sit for an extended period of time. *Most foods, fruits, vegetables, soft drinks and juices can eat through the sealer and cause staining.

3. Use a cleaner that contains a sealer. (Some cleaners now have 1-3% sealer in them.) A regular marble and granite stone cleaner will help keep your Tampa countertop protected and keep its beauty for years.

4. CAUTION: Be careful of stone soaps. These are good for limestone floors, but not countertops. Too much soap can build up over time.

5. WARNING: Never buy a product that says “and good for marble too”!

*There are some sealers that are not affected by acids, but they are much more expensive to the Tampa customer. There is no sealer on the market that is 100% stain proof, so even the best sealer can stain after an extended period of time.

Tile Floors:

1. The biggest problem with most flooring is the way it is cleaned. Most TV commercials show a flat mop, but these mops clean the top of the tile and then drop the dirt into the grout. Using too much soap can also make the floor harder to keep clean.

2. Sealed floors need a marble neutral cleaner. This is a mix of 2 to 5 ounces of product to 1 gallon of water. Warm water is better than cold when cleaning ground in dirt or grease.

3. Avoid store bought cleaning chemicals! Most of these cleaners are a base (alkaline) or an acid. Both will strip the sealer and cause the tile and grout to become harder to keep clean. Harsh cleaning chemicals can also discolor the grout. Most bathroom cleaners will also etch the polish of the marble and limestone finishes

Ongoing Care & Maintenance Tips:

1. Daily or regular dry dust mopping or vacuuming with a soft brush is critical for keeping dust, grit, sand and dirt from scratching polished or unpolished stone.

2. Make sure sufficient walk off mats are utilized in the entry and exit areas of the floors. This is the most effective way of protecting the polish of the stone surfaces, especially the softer ones.

Article Source:  http://blog.surfaces.com/index.php/category/installation/

About Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel sinks aren’t “perfect”; no material is perfect for all conditions/situations. We are not aware of any material that is more durable and more “ideal” for sinks than quality stainless steel.

Stainless steel sinks are made from nickel bearing stainless steel. The mellow satin surface is compatible with any décor and color scheme. It is timeless and elegant, and like fine silver, its beautiful finish becomes lovelier with use and age. A quality stainless steel sink, with proper care and maintenance, will give you a lifetime of service.

Why Stainless Steel is “Stainless When the chromium in the stainless steel is exposed to oxygen an invisible layer of chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) is formed. This layer is impervious to water and air giving the stainless steel exceptional corrosion resistant properties.

6 Reasons Why We Like Stainless Steel Sinks

• Tough – Stainless steel is more durable than porcelain and cast iron, and more forgiving than composites. Stainless steel sinks won’t chip, nick or crack. Thin stainless sinks can get dented, but “cheap” sinks of any other materials tend to have less life (longevity) than a “cheap” stainless steel sink.
• Luster – Stainless steel will not rust, stain or fade, and the finish resists scratches. It keeps its luster longer while other materials will show their age.
• Absorbs Shock – Stainless steel sinks on impact will “give” to cushion glasses and dishes against breakage.
• Easier to Clean – Stainless steel retains its luster when cleaned with household cleanser and a soft towel. Healthcare facilities trust stainless steel sinks due in part to their sanitary surface.
• Greater Capacity – Stainless steel has strength and flexibility that allows for deeper sink bowls. It has more overall usable space than porcelain or cast iron.
• Compliments Any Décor – Stainless steel sinks have clean lines and a cool texture that reflect surrounding colors and patterns. Also, it compliments any décor long after trendy colors are out-of-style.

Chlorides Today, chlorides are found in most soap, detergents, bleaches and cleansers; chlorides can be aggressive to stainless steel. However, chlorides are very water-soluble. Therefore, thorough rinsing of your sink after each use to remove any chloride residue and a weekly scouring is all that is required to keep your sink looking bright and shiny.

Scratches Like many metallic surfaces, your stainless steel sink will scratch. These are merely usage scratches and over time will blend into the overall finish of your sink.

Water Quality The quality of your Plano water can affect your sink’s appearance. If your water has high iron content, a brown surface stain can form on the sink giving the appearance of rust. Additionally, in areas with a high concentration of minerals, or with over-softened water, a white film may develop on the sink. To combat these problems, we suggest that the sink be towel dried after use, and again, on a weekly basis, the sink should be cleaned.

Food Heavy salt concentration or foods containing high levels of salt should not be allowed to dry on the sink surface. Rinse your sink thoroughly after use.

Cutting Your sink is designed to serve as many things, but should not be used as a cutting board or chopping block. This type of use will lead to deep scratches in the sink finish and will dull your knives.

Routine Care

• Most dirt & stains: Use soapy water or ammonia-based cleaner.
• Watermarks: Wipe with damp cloth then towel dry.
• Disinfecting: Occasionally wipe surface with diluted household bleach (1 part water /1 part bleach).
• Maintenance: Occasionally clean by filling the sink one-quarter full with a 50/50 water/bleach solution. Let soak for 15 minutes, then wash sides and bottom as solution drains and thoroughly rinse.

Precautions

• Do… It is best to rinse sinks thoroughly after each use. Thorough rinsing can be done by running the water for a few minutes and rubbing the cleaned area with a sponge.
• Do… Avoid exposing sink to strong chemicals, such as paint removers, oven cleaners, etc. If contact occurs, quickly flush the surface with water.
• Do… Run cold water when pouring boiling water into sinks to try to minimize temperature shock. With stainless it isn’t as important to remember that compared to other materials though.
• Do… Towel dry after each use to prevent mineral deposits from building up on the surface of the sink (although with a good quality stainless sink you can buff it back to the original “new” finish even after many years of scale and mineral build-up.
• Do… Scour the sink once a week, being sure to rub in the direction of the satin finish lines (best not to purchase a “mirror” finish).
• Do… Remove nail polish with a non-acetone based nail polish remover and flush with water.

• Don’t… Allow food or beverage residue, metal canned products, or mild steel or cast iron cookware to remain on sink surface for long periods of time as this can result in permanent staining of the sink.
• Don’t… Cut directly on sink surfaces.
• Don’t… Set hot pans directly into sinks.
• Don’t… Scour the sink across the satin finish lines. Scouring across the satin finish lines can damage the original sink finish.
• Don’t… Allow liquid soap or other household cleansers to dry on the surface of the sink. Most brands contain chemical additives, which will affect the finish.
• Don’t… Use drain cleaning products that contain sulfuric or hydrochloric acid.
• Don’t… Leave standing solutions of chlorine bleach and water in the sink for extended periods of time. Chlorides, which are found in most soaps, detergents, bleaches, and cleansers, are very aggressive to stainless steel. If left on the sink too long they can cause surface pitting.
• Don’t… Use a steel wool pad to clean your sink. Steel wool pads have a tendency to break apart and small particles of steel can become embedded in the surface of the sink. The steel particles will rust and will give the appearance that the sink itself is rusting.
• Don’t… Use rubber mats or dishpans in the sink to protect the finish. Leaving rubber mats or dishpans in the sink can lead to surface rust or possible pitting. Instead use stainless steel bottom grids. If you do use mats or dishpans please remove them after each use.
• Don’t… Leave wet sponges, cloths, or cleaning pads on the sink. This can lead to surface rust.

If you’re ready to replace your current sink or are starting from scratch with a whole kitchen remodel, contact your Tampa remodeling contractor to learn more about what type sink and fixtures best suit your family’s needs.

Article Source: http://www.plumbingproducts.com/stainless-steel-sink-care.html

Even though you can’t buy the Hang Fung gold toilet for your master bath, there are plenty of other fancy fixtures available to accent your Tampa bathroom. But you’re going to have to shell out big bucks for them.

The Neorest 600 certainly falls into this category. The Neorest takes the cake as the most expensive commode available for purchase in the home. Produced by bathroom fixture manufacturer Toto, the Neorest 600 is a tankless, one-piece toilet. It may not be gold, but you could call it green: It’s a low-flow toilet, conserving water by sending only 1.6 gallons down the drain per flush. But you’ll be too busy sitting in awe of the Neorest to yearn for the water-frivolous days of the full-flow toilet. It’s also a bathroom dynamo, doing all of the work your old toilet used to make you do.

When the Neorest senses your approach, the toilet lifts its lid, inviting you to have a seat. Once you do your thing, a gentle blast of warm water cleans your bottom. This is followed by the toilet’s air-dry function. And after you get up, the toilet flushes the ionized, self-cleaning bowl and deodorizes the air [source: Toto]. With all of these features, maybe the $5,800 retail price for the Neorest 600 isn’t so much, relatively speaking [source: Forbes]. Plus, you can find them for sale as low as $3,159 [source: Buy Plumbing]. Of course, you can get a regular residential toilet in the U.S. and Canada for around $150, but these certainly don’t come with the bells and whistles the Neorest offers.

If you’re going to remodel your Tampa bathroom, why not go all the way? Talk to your Tampa remodeling contractor about some gold leaf inlay in the counter’s backsplash? And what about Italian marble tile for the bathroom’s floor?

Be sure to install the big fixtures first. There’s the Idrolux “L” shower, which retails for around $24,000. This freestanding shower includes UV panels, designed to give you a healthy, tanned glow while you bathe [source: Idrolux]. If you don’t like standing when you scrub down, you can opt to rest easy in 21 inches of warm water in Kohler’s Kallista Archeo bathtub. Before you sink into the tub, check the price tag: This freestanding copper bathtub goes for more than $66,000 [source: Forbes].

How about a nice sink, too? The Italbrass Mezz’aria dual basin sink might look nice reflecting the blue UV glow of your tanning shower — the wall-mounted floating sink is stainless steel. The nearly $7,500 price tag doesn’t include the complementary mirror to go above it, but you’ll want a mirror from another company anyway [source: Quality Bath]. Seura offers wall-mounted, over-the-sink mirrors as large as 45 inches wide that feature an LCD television embedded inside. You can get ready and watch the news at the same time. When turned off, the TV disappears, and the fixture looks like a normal mirror [source: Seura]. The mirrors and their frames can be customized per order, and they fetch around $5,000 for the 45-inch model [source: Home Annex].

Still, starting your day off in your Tampa bathroom with all of these luxury features would probably put a pretty good spin on things. And who can put a price on that feeling?

Article Source: http://home.howstuffworks.com/most-expensive-toilet-in-world1.htm

As a child, you may have dreamed of how it would feel to live in a tree house or a fort that you and your friends created in the woods. Many architects and designers love a challenge: They enjoy taking unconventional dwellings and turning them into places of residence. Some families forgo the idea of a traditional home with a picket fence and choose instead to live in a cave, church, water tower or bunker. Of course most of us are happy in our traditional Tampa homes, wishing only to enhance our existing living space. A kitchen remodel, room addition or basement finishing can be easily achieved with the help of your Tampa remodeling contractor.

1. 1.   Church Homes

• A few people have taken on the challenge of converting old church sanctuaries into their places of residence. For example, ZECC Architects converted an old Dutch chapel into a single family residence. Christopher Wren’s Christ Church was severely damaged during WWII; the roof of the church was destroyed, but the 11-story tower was left untouched. The church is now in private hands, and architect Nicholas Boyarsky converted the roofless church into a flower garden. He transformed the 11-story tower into an apartment with a wood spiral staircase.

Cave Homes

• Since the beginning of time, caves have offered refuge to nomads and travelers, and even today some people choose to live in caves and still have the modern conveniences of technology. In 2010, according to an article in The New York Times, one family set up their entire home inside a cave; they use umbrellas and interior roofs to keep the kitchen sand-free. Besides the cave-like walls, their kitchen looks like any other, with counter space, sink, appliances and cabinetry.

Water Tower Homes

• A water tower home is a modern-day version of living in a tree house that attracts some home-owners, as they like the idea of “living with a view.” In addition, building your home in a water tower provides an opportunity to recycle old buildings. Jo Crepain of Antwerp wanted to preserve an old water tower near a park where he played as a child, so he bought the tower, and along with the help of another architect, he made his home in it. Other examples include a water tower in Essen, Germany, which was converted into a fully operational apartment and commercial property. This water tower houses two apartments, a telecommunications company and a real estate agency.

Bunker Homes

• Many World War II bunkers in various parts of the world are now residential housing; the owners of these fortified residences say that one of the biggest advantages of living in a bunker is the special temperatures maintained throughout the year. In the summer, it is cooler inside, and in the winter, it’s much warmer than outdoors. One architect decided to build his house on top of an old bunker, so he uses the actual bunker for storage and for protection from natural disasters.

Article Source: http://www.ehow.com/info_8518248_extremely-weird-places-live.html

You may have lots of tools for particular projects that you use infrequently, and they can be kept in a garage or workroom. But having basic tools handy in your living area makes it much more convenient to do simple home repairs.  There are a multitude of projects any Tampa homeowner can tackle with a little guidance, but of course for more advanced projects such as an extensive kitchen remodel, it is always advisable to call your Tampa remodeling contractor.

You might keep these basic tools in a hall closet, a kitchen drawer, or in a handy tool box or plastic box on a shelf in the entry or mudroom.

It doesn’t really matter where you keep them, as long as they’re easy to get at for quick home repairs. You’ll save lots of inconvenient trips out to the garage or down to the basement.

Your in-home basic tool kit should include these basic do-it-yourself items.

Tape Measure
You may not think you need one, but a 25-foot measuring tape will work for most jobs. Whether you measure for a tablecloth or window treatment or a whole room for new flooring, choose one large enough to easily measure your Tampa home’s spaces. A second smaller tape of 6 to 12 feet can be put in a pocket or purse for shopping trips or for hanging pictures.

Screwdrivers
Two basic screwdrivers are a necessity. Choose both a good quality flat head screwdriver and a Phillips head screwdriver in a medium size. A set of tiny screwdrivers will come in handy when you need to tighten a pair of eyeglasses or fix audio or computer equipment.

Pliers
One pliers will not do. Get a small assortment in various sizes and shapes. You’ll use a needle-nose pliers most frequently, but have a heavy grooved pliers for removing nails or large staples. Wire cutting pliers are good for wiring and craft jobs.

Level
You get what you pay for here. It’s important to get an accurate level for accurate positioning. A good sturdy level will last a lifetime. (These are also called “torpedo levels” due to shapes of the tapered ends.) A level is a must for straightening up pictures, drilling holes in a level line, checking tabletop alignment, or mounting towel bars perfectly.

Hammer
Whether you’re hanging pictures or putting shelf supports up, a medium weight hammer will cover most Tampa household jobs. Consider other sizes if you’ll be doing either delicate projects or construction.

Vice Grip
This tool resembles a pliers, but has a locking mechanism that grips and holds things tightly. Use it to grip a screw you want to remove or use two to twist sticky things apart. They provide a slip-free hold when you need it.

Assortment of Nails and Screws
You might find prepackaged sets of basic sizes at your Tampa home center or get a small divided box and put together a custom assortment that will come in handy when you hang pictures or make minor repairs.

Wire Cutters
Save your scissors with this essential tool. A wire cutter makes it easy to snip wire for crafts, electrical repairs, and other household projects.

Pencils
You’ll probably need to mark a drill hole or record a measurement. Have pencils handy and write on post it notes or bits of blue painter’s tape if you don’t want to write on the wall.

Blue Painter’s Tape
Even professional painters use this tape to mask off areas they don’t want to paint. It’s available in several widths and looks like plain masking tape. But this special tape is blue and can be removed from most surfaces without damage. You can use it for other household jobs besides painting. Mark stud locations with a small square when hanging a picture or installing molding. Tape off the edges of a door frame when painting a wall, or tape down runners of heavy kraft paper to protect floors from dirt and scratches when moving.

Article Source:  http://interiordec.about.com/od/careandrepair/a/org_toolkits.htm

Tampa homeowners, especially those with small children, often ask me how to get rid of paint odors. It’s such a big concern for some folks that they’ll ask me about potential odor control before they even call their Tampa remodeling contractor.

The good news is that the evolution of house paint has come a long way with low-odor and even odorless lines for some applications. The bad news is there are still so many reasons to use the smelly stuff, especially if you’re repainting an older home. Alkyd (oil-based) and shellac or alcohol primers are especially effective in sealing water damage and old oil painted surfaces to upgrade them to Latex top coats. But they’re also very smelly with potentially long-lasting vapors. Even the most common low-odor alkyd paints often used today to repaint wood work can have a lingering odor for days under the most ventilated conditions.

So how do you get rid of the smell?

I’ve just received an email from a mother asking me that very question. Her young child’s room was painted almost two weeks ago and she’s left the windows open and the fan on ever since. Still, the paint smell is strong enough that she’s concerned about letting the child sleep in the room. This interior painting project involved a lot of priming to cover the dark brown oil paint used by the previous homeowner. Since the color needed to be lightened up and the surfaces converted to a far more Eco-friendly Acrylic Latex, a common top brand Alkyd primer was used to give the whole room a fresh start. And although it had “Low Odor” printed on the can, it obviously was NOT odorless. To compound matters, all the woodwork had to be finished in a leading “Low Odor” brand of Alkyd semi-gloss which produced a smooth lustrous finish as well as a migraine inducing vapor.

So what can you do? Well, there a few ways you can overcome these situations beyond obvious ventilation to control, eliminate and even prevent paint odors from lingering.

“An ounce of prevention”…. Before there was such a thing as “low odor paint” we used to add a splash of vanilla extract to every gallon of oil paint to make it “low-odor”. It was cheap, easy to do and had no effect on the color. Now that low-odor alkyd paints are commonplace on the market, adding about a tablespoon of vanilla extract makes them virtually odorless.

Or, as in the case above, the painting is already done. It’s too late for vanilla and the smell won’t go away as quickly they’d like. What’s happening here is that the odors are being trapped in the walls while the paint cures and probably in all the fabrics and rugs in the room as well. They need something else to absorb them for good. So, here’s what I advised her to do. Cut up a few onions and place them in a couple of bowls of cold water. Put one of the bowls in the room and the other in the closet. As simple and crazy as it sounds, the onions absorb and actually eliminate the paint fumes and odors… sometimes as quickly as overnight!

I first learned this trick while creating a baby’s room about 17 years ago. I had spent about 5 weeks converting a badly crumbling and dusty old attic room into a nursery pending the baby’s birth. And as it turned out, the baby was born about two weeks early and was ready to come home just as I was finishing the project. The job required a lot of smelly primers and sealers to bury decades of neglect and water damage. As was customary in those days, I added vanilla extract to minimize the paints’ odor (and damage to my brain cells) but the smell wasn’t clearing up fast enough to bring the newborn in. The homeowner’s Nanny, who was moving into the bedroom next door (and who was also troubled by the smell) used a couple of bowls of cut onions in cold water over night and the smell was gone the next day. I couldn’t believe it!

I’ve recommended this technique ever since with great results. But it should be noted here that this example was in an empty room. In the case of a fully furnished Houston room, as in our case above, you should consider airing out clothing, drapery, rugs or anything else which might be trapping the odors and give them a shot or two of Febreeze to do the trick nowadays.

Now sometimes, there are extreme cases where odors are simply not an option. Some people are highly allergic to the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) contained in paints and the tints used to color them. Some can become quite ill with even short term inhalation of the fumes. In these cases, you have to resort to the whole gamut of tricks:

1. Before you paint, empty the room completely to make sure there is nothing that will trap the odors.
2. Open all the windows before you open the paint cans and keep them open throughout the entire painting process.
3. Add vanilla extract to your Alkyd, Alcohol or Shellac based paints. (Latex paints don’t usually need this step as they’re relatively low-odor to begin with).

4. Place several bowls of onions around the room (as above) while you paint to absorb the fumes as they escape.
5. When the painting is finished, seal and remove all paint cans, bag your drop sheets in plastic before taking them out through the rest of the house (or throw them out of the window if possible) to keep from spreading the fumes they’ve trapped indoors.
6. Refresh your supply of onions in water as the old ones will have had their fill of vapors by the time you’re finished the painting.
7. Keep the windows open and wait until the paint has fully dried and the odors have gone before you replace the furniture and other belongings.

Of course, these tips are offered in connection with interior painting but you should also try adding some vanilla to your paint when painting the exterior in Alkyd coatings as well. It saves the painter a lot of headaches… literally. But whether inside or out, these simple ideas combined with some good old fashioned common sense should produce a fresh new look in your Tampa home, with clean, breathable air you can live with.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dee_L._Potter

Nearly every Tampa resident has an entertainment center that is not necessary with the current flat screen televisions. Many have had their living rooms remodeled and the once useful piece of furniture is now too bulky and in the way. What do you do with this large piece of furniture now? The obvious solution is to donate it, but if you can re-purpose your entertainment center, you might find the piece useful still. Your Tampa remodeling contractor can also share with you a wealth of ideas for re-purposing furniture that may not fit with the current look of your living or family room.

Consider where the piece is now; if it no longer suits its current location, look around and see where it might fit with a new purpose. A hallway near the bathroom might have enough space for the unit as a linen closet, once it is painted. The large opening once used for the old style television can be fitted with shelves for folded linens, towels or even bulky blankets.

If you have a guest room in your Tampa home and could use some extra storage space, your entire entertainment cabinet could serve as an extra closet or a great place to store all those photo albums you have in closets and drawers.

Some entertainment units can be broken down into separate pieces that you can find a good use for in separate rooms. Children always need space for their stuff; why not consider the unit in a bedroom. This is a great place to experiment with a pop of color.

The center area where the TV once stood could be fitted with a flat panel, hollow core door and a file cabinet or small cabinet to support the end and it becomes a great study area or a Tampa home office with lots of storage space. This peninsula style desk could provide a place for two people to use the desk simultaneously.

Painted or stained, with doors removed or left in place, panels fitted with colorful fabric or interesting glass can breathe new life into an old piece. Add some pretty wallpaper or a great graphic design in the large open space for high impact design. The unit can store decorative pieces, or a collection of vases, candlesticks or artwork.

If you have a covered area outside at your Tampa home, your old unit could serve as a garden center with a potting space–a great place to store all your necessary small garden tools, seed packets, extra pots and your notebook of garden ideas.

Think with purpose in mind as you consider what to do with this useful piece. Remember that with cabinet doors and shelves, there are lots of other uses for an entertainment center, and perhaps you can save it from the Tampa landfill.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_A_Hammond