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What Makes Custom-Made Furniture Superior?

For most human history, furniture was either a simple, rough-hewn wooden structure made by the local carpenter or a carefully crafted piece handmade by a master in the field. Of course, there was an in-between level of traditional furniture, but such was not made commonplace until the widespread use of machining and mass production.

Nowadays, most people buy their furniture either online or from an outlet that mass produces such pieces to make furniture affordable and accessible. That said, custom furniture still exists and is, in some ways, superior to the mass-produced stuff lining shelves and racks in outlet stores and website warehouses.

One of the advantages of custom-made furniture is that it's, well, custom. Unlike mass-produced furniture constructed in standard sizes, a custom piece can fit exactly the space in question. There is no more wasted space. Whether the area is small or large, it can be used effectively.

Another benefit of…

How Do You Decide When To Refinish Your Antiques?

To refinish antique furniture or not? This question often riles up a heated debate among designers. On the one hand, some antique enthusiasts prefer to maintain the furniture in its present condition, believing that tampering with antiques is blasphemy and diminishes their value. On the other hand, some old furniture desperately needs a little love, and refinishing the piece extends its longevity – doing more justice than harm.

Furniture Restoration

So, what determines whether antique furniture is worthy of a restoration project? Before investing time and money in refinishing a piece, here are some things to consider.

Worth Refinishing?

Is the furniture unique or a masterpiece? Look for distinguishing features and characteristics that make the furniture an out-of-the-ordinary piece. This evaluation includes the quality of the construction and its age. As a general rule of thumb, avoid refinishing any pieces from the 19th century or earlier – as…

What Chemicals Are Generally Used In Bathtub Refinishing?

Bathtubs can last for a very long time. Still, damage can happen. Enamel can chip, metal can rust - a tub's age starts to take its toll. Replacing a bathtub can be a costly measure. It can also be a lengthy and involved process. Many people are increasingly refinishing their tubs instead of replacing them, but refinishing is not the answer to every issue. Refinishing a bathtub is excellent when wear and tear have worn a tub's surface but not damaged the structure.

Bathtub Refinishing

To properly refinish a bathtub, the right chemicals are needed. Since chemicals are in use, proper safety gear and procedures are required. Anyone using chemicals to refinish a bathtub should carefully read the instructions and safety guides and follow them strictly.

Chemicals

For bathtub refinishing, three chemicals are used: polyurethane, epoxy, and acrylic polymers. These chemicals are the most common ways to refinish a bathtub effectively and inexpensively.

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The Ugly Truth About Tub and Shower Liners

Not all homeowners can fully remodel or replace their tubs. Removing a bathtub for a bathroom renovation can cost a substantial amount of time and money. Yet, some baths have sustained too much damage and cannot be returned to their original condition. Are there alternatives to removal if the tub surface cannot be repaired? A tub or shower liner might be the perfect answer.

Tub and shower liners are acrylic molds that fit perfectly over the existing fixture giving a new look without replacement. Tub Liners are much less expensive than buying a new tub and saving labor costs to remove and replace the old fixture physically. They are easy to install and require minimal downtime for the bathroom (this may be especially important to some homeowners depending on the number of bathrooms in the house).

These are great to give a new polished look to any worn-looking bath. Once installed, these liners are easy to maintain with just soap and water. They are a …

A Small House Plan Doesn’t Have to Feel Small!

Make your home live larger through organization and a few thoughtful design choices! Small house plans have a number of benefits, but if you're craving space, it may feel like a small plan won't work for you. The good news is there are a number of ways you can make a small house plan feel quite a bit larger. If you have a small home or are planning to build — and need to build small — here are some tips to make your small house feel larger. How to Make a Small House Plan Feel Bigger The first thing you need to do to make a small house plan bigger is change the feel of the space. You can make the home feel significantly bigger without actually changing its layout. The first way to do this is with color. For the walls, choose bright, light colors — but not necessarily white, which can have a cold feel. White with a hint of color, or another neutral color palate, will be a great choice. On the ceiling, however, use pure white to make the space feel more expansive. O…

Spring Maintenance Checklist

After experiencing winter for some months, springtime is here, and it’s the best time to start something new. Once the mild winter is over and the weather breaks, you will see people reclaiming their outdoor spaces. Here is a home maintenance checklist for that spring outdoor cleanup. Inspect the Roof A roof inspection can save you money now and later on. The homeowner can do a quick visual inspection from the ground. If needed they can get up on the roof for a closer look at problem areas or areas not visible from the ground. Then every few years it's good to hire a professional. A professional roof inspector will check the shingles for damage, check the roof covering to see if it is worn and advise replacement and repair when needed. Making small roof repairs will save on water damage due to a leaking roof later on. Exterior Walls During winter, exterior walls can get damaged, especially near the gutters and under the eaves. If you have stucco, wood siding or bricks, wa…

How to Reduce Cold Drafts in Your Home

When walking through your home, you walk through areas that feel notoriously colder than other parts. Maybe it’s by a door or near the window, whatever it is, you already know that you are losing money. When it comes to energy costs, these temperature differences are either cold air coming in or warm air going out. For the majority of households, heating and cooling are the bulk of energy costs, so it would be prudent to do everything possible to decrease these costs. Here are a few suggestions as to how to draft-proof your home and save you money. Spray Foam First, find a professional it is not worth the trouble of applying spray foam unless you are a contractor and this is something you love doing. Spray foam works best if you are trying to seal up a crawlspace or rooms that aren’t insulated or finished at all. But getting it right can be difficult. The best recommendation is to find a contractor to help you with this project. Seal the Crawlspaces You know those creepy …

Simple Strategies For Saving Money On Remodeling Makeovers

One of the best ways to add to the value and appeal of your abode is to make it over. Not only will this allow you to sell your property for more, should you ever choose to offload it, but it will also increase the amount of enjoyment and usability that the structure provides. Sadly, few homeowners have sufficient cash for these projects. Fortunately, there are several things that people can do to control the costs of their remodeling makeovers. It is first important to note that you don't have to get everything done all at once. Be willing to take things on in a gradual fashion will allow you to invest in higher quality materials so that you can reach your design goals without having to modify them. For instance, if you want to add a large outdoor kitchen to your backyard, you might start by installing a patio and a cook top. You can then add in water features and even an outdoor pizza oven, further down the road. Make sure that your contractors use reputable supply comp…

The Advantages Of Remodeling Makeovers

The reasons for remodeling a room or an entire home are as different as the homeowners themselves. Some people may have growing families, a growing business, a desire for something new, while others just want to upgrade their home, making the value go up. Whatever the reason for remodeling makeovers, there is no better time to start than now. Remodeling a bathroom can make it more accessible, while modernizing the fixtures at the same time. Lighting can be enhanced and the style changed. Adding multiple safety features can provide a better quality of life and more freedom for elderly members of the family. Outdoor living areas are becoming more popular with homeowners and are a great way to raise the value of a home. People are becoming more outdoors minded and seem to enjoy spending more time in nature. Decks, screened in porches, courtyards, open air kitchens, walking paths, benches, gazebos and gardens with ponds are just some of the things that are being added. A c…

Top 10 Painters in Raleigh

Looking for a painter to finish that room or refresh your home’s look? Here are some companies that will get the job done: Xtra Handyman Services, Inc. (www.XtraHandymanServices.com ) - In business since 2000. Not only can do that paint job, but also other small jobs around the house. Labor Painting Company (919-798-0942) - In business since 2011. Interior and exterior painting. M&G Contractor (862-221-0143) - In business since 1991. Paint and stain small projects. Waypoint Builders (919-931-2868) - In business since 1980. Exterior house painting and staining. Graceful Touch Painting (http://www.professionalpaintersraleighnc.com) - In business since 2010. Interior, exterior and decorative painting. O&R Painting (239-771-2003) - In business since 2006. Exterior and interior painting. Platinum Painting, Inc. (www.platinum-painting.com) - In business since 1997. Exterior and interior painting. Exterior pressure washing. 360 Painting of th…