Materials

A Look at Blanco ONE & the Trend towards Individualization :: KBIS Spotlight

In the NeighborHood

“By far, the biggest design trend that connects with both consumers and designers is the idea of individualization,” states Tim Maicher, Director of Marketing for BLANCO. “We have so many options in...

by jb bartkowiak

News from KBIS || Cosentino, the Maker of SILESTONE, Releases DEKTON

Products

The makers of SILESTONE, natural quartz, and other renowned counter material released this revolutionary new material. With technical properties suited for both interior AND exterior use, DEKTON is being termed "ultra-compact" and...

by jb bartkowiak

BlogTour Vegas Gets an Exclusive Tour of Walker Zanger’s Las Vegas Showroom

In the NeighborHood

While of course I knew Walker Zanger is recognized as an industry-leader in stone and tile, it took Jared Becker, Vice President of Design and Marketing, to inform us that the company...

by jb bartkowiak

BlogTour Vegas :: Design & Construction Week ReCap

In the NeighborHood

Barry and I were in Las Vegas, Nevada covering the first ever Design & Construction Week. For the first time ever, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and the International Builders’...

by jb bartkowiak

A Guide to Home Maintenance Oils and Lubricants :: Selecting the Right Lubricant for a Home Repair

Homeownership

First, let me start by saying that the oils and other lubricants you find around the house often are proprietary formulas, a blend of oils, solvents and other chemistry unique from product...

by jb bartkowiak

Painting a Basketball Court :: Concrete Gym Floor Redo

In the NeighborHood

The budget for this particular project - $0. Well, to be more accurate, the actual cost and the amount of equivalent gym time we had received totaled about $1000. For the base...

by jb bartkowiak

Wainscoating Custom Routed Cap Salvaged Door

Before You Thrift or Junk, Salvage By Shopping The House

Remodeling

Shopping the House – searching your house for something that is laying around, taking up precious storage space, and that in its present unused state could maybe help finish (or maybe it...

by jb bartkowiak

Installing Bath Hardware - Vintage Tie Back Edition

How to Drill Through Tile :: Video – DIY Home Improvement Essential Skills

Remodeling

When you work in bathrooms, the occasion will arise when you will need and want to mount something into tile. A little intimidating perhaps, but really, with the right tools and a...

by jb bartkowiak

What to Know about Using PVC for DIY Projects :: PVC – Plumbing & Beyond

Though PVC is known for being easy to handle and maintain, there are a few things you’ll want to know before diving in. Save yourself some time, money, and frustration by soaking...

by Amanda Hill

Installing an Electrical Outlet on a Masonry Wall

Remodeling

To plug my power pack in, which again I needed for my landscape lighting, I had to install a new outlet. Going against specification somewhat, I mounted my pack indoors, in the...

by jb bartkowiak

The Skinny on Screws :: Our Guide to Common Screws

Now that does not mean that every screw is the same. For example, you are not going to (or you shouldn't) take drywall screws and mount decking boards to a deck frame...

by jb bartkowiak

Remodeling Show Recap, Sean Lintow Reports :: Product Round Up

In the NeighborHood

This year unfortunately JB wasn't able to attend the Remodeling Show being held in Chicago. BUT, I managed to make it, as it just so happens to be in my new back...

by Sean Lintow Sr