Dreaming of a fresh, bright new kitchen? Tired of the drab powder room? Need a playroom for the kids? While some homeowners solve this problem by relocating, why not consider remodeling your existing home. With a qualified remodeling contractor, the sky's practically the limit for revitalizing your house. Add space, modernize existing rooms, or just overhaul your décor, and you'll be amazed Read the rest of this entry

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Ok so you might find the next few links interesting. These are from around the web, just random snippets that I've picked up in my reading, but I found some very cool information in them. You might too. Here goes...

Money growing in your garden

“There was a place on Cottage Street [in East Boston] that had a beautifully landscaped backyard that was deeded to the first-floor condo,” says Read the rest of this entry

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If you are looking for ways to improve your bathroom without the hassle of a complete remodeling job, think about decorating with mirrors and renovating with glass shower enclosures.

Mirrors easily can create a new look on a small budget. Create an illusion of more space in the bathroom by adding a mirror that covers the wall from one end to the other. Make a smaller space larger and reflect natural light for a brighter, livelier feeling.

Create a more relaxing bath atmosphere by placing mirrors under candles to catch the candlelight flickers. Use an old picture frame to border a mirror; easily attach the frame to the mirror with liquid glue. Decorate an old mirror with flowers, garland or decals.

If you have a higher budget, but you don't want to break the bank, you can turn the entire bathroom into a new luxurious spa. There are plenty of design and decorating options available that can make your bathroom more enjoyable and valuable.

Invest in a new shower enclosure or invest in a steam shower. Remodeling your existing shower into a steam shower is difficult as a do-it-yourself project, but fairly simple for glass professionals to install in a day. Steam showers are like having a spa in your home, as you can relax and escape from the outside world without worrying about the expense of a large whirlpool tub.

Another simple idea that can make a big difference in bathroom atmosphere is to add new lighting. Dimming lights are best, because depending on the mood you're in you can adjust the settings to make the room brighter or dim them for a more relaxing, intimate feeling.

Don't forget the windows, either. Decorative glass or glass etching can add simple elegance to any window. New window treatments can dress up the bathroom or make it more casual. Window treatments that match bathroom accessories can change your bathroom from feeling dull to classy in an instant. Use two different towel colors change the mood of your room anytime. Speaking of colors, painting the walls a new color or adding a colorful, patterned wall paper can make your bathroom more unique to your taste.

If these ideas still aren't enough, you can add an entire new bathroom to your home by renovating a walk-in closet or reducing space in a bedroom. According to the U.S. Remodeling Sentiment Report, adding a new bathroom was the most popular home remodeling project last year. The report predicts there will be a 13 percent increase in homeowners wanting to remodel this year.

However, if you don't want to take out a small loan to add a bathroom, transforming an existing bathroom is the way to go. Plus you don't have to hire a construction general contractor, you can work with an interior decorator and a glass service specialist.

"We work with interior decorators, such as Decorating Den Interiors, to install standard mirrors and glass tub or shower enclosures," said Matt Nicklaus, owner of Glass Doctor of the Inland Empire, based in Hesperia, Calif. "It's a great way to create a unique atmosphere for your bathroom and maximize your budget, because we do the work ourselves, we don't subcontract."

By working closely together, the Glass Doctor and Decorating Den Interiors (visit http://www.decoratingden.com) teams can help remodeling projects go smoothly and exceed expectations. Shower enclosures or windows from Glass Doctor can increase your home's value while remodeling the bathroom, or you can simply use mirrors, decorations and other tips from Decorating Den Interiors to brighten up the small space after a long winter.

About Glass Doctor®:
From windows to windshields to storefronts, Glass Doctor can handle any glass need. Glass Doctor also offers custom glass services, such as tub and shower enclosures, entry door glass and mirrors. Established in 1962 with one shop in Seattle, Wash., today Glass Doctor offers complete glass repair, replacement and services to the residential, automotive, and commercial markets at more than 300 locations in the United States and Canada, with more than 175 Glass Doctor franchise owners. For further information or to find the location nearest you, visit http://www.glassdoctor.com or call 1-866-318-9304.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Overpeck

Technorati Tags: bathroom remodeling, den remodeling

A den addition to your home can be a terrific investment of both time and money. Not only will it increase the value of your home, it will also create a wonderful cozy family gathering place you can enjoy for many years to come.

There are many ways to add a den to your home. One way to add a den is to claim attic space. The use of attic space offers a number of fascinating possibilities ranging from a secluded and cozy retreat to a loft that overlooks the kitchen or great room. A second way to add a den is to consider the basement. Unused space in the basement of your home can also be converted into a very nice den. A third way, which offers unlimited possibilities, is to build an addition to your home for a cozy den.

A den will probably be relatively small (as compared to a family room or great room. You will want to make it cozy and comfortable for your family to use for TV or movie viewing, reading, enjoying music, or just gathering for an evening chat. Creating a feeling of warmth and comfort is generally the goal of den design.

The first questions you will need to answer in deciding where you will add your den and what size the room should be are these:

* Will you convert an existing room?

* Will you renovate your attic?

* Will you finish a space in your basement?

* Will you den be an addition to your existing home?

* If the den will be an addition, where will it join the existing structure?

* What will be the size of the room?

The next set of questions to answer concern access and connection to the rest of the house.

* How will you have access to your new den? Will you be able to use an existing stairway (to attic or basement)? Will you need to add and construct a new stairway?

* How will you connect your new den addition to the existing structure? Will you need to create a doorway or hallway from the existing structure into the new den? Will you remove a wall from your house to connect with the new den?

One very popular approach to den additions is to remove an exterior kitchen wall, allowing the new den to connect with the end of the kitchen. This approach can create a very warm, comfortable and cozy living space for your family. If you choose this option, you will need to decide whether to remove the entire section of wall or to create either a doorway or an arched opening into the den. The use of a smaller doorway to the den will have minimal effect on the look and feel of the kitchen. Building a den addition that is completely open to the kitchen will affect the look and feel of both den and kitchen. This very popular approach to den addition, however, will require careful planning and design.

There was a time when a den was simply a small room that might have built-in bookcases and was probably paneled in wood (Generally knotty pine). Families, builders and contractors have become far more creative in recent years, designing spaces that are far more interesting and functional. Here are some room-design ideas you might want to consider in planning your den.

1. If you are remodeling an attic space, consider creating an open staircase from the floor below and leaving the area that connects with the rest of the house open. Either a half-wall or a wood or wrought iron rail can prevent accidents and create a feeling of more space in both rooms.

2. If you are remodeling a basement space, consider ways you can create the same effect of openness in the way you provide access to your basement den.

3. If you are adding to your home, consider something more creative than a simple doorway to join the den to the existing structure. You might consider placing a see-through fireplace between the kitchen and the den with open space on each side for access. You can connect your den to other rooms in the same way.

4. If you are adding a den that connects with your kitchen, consider using a "breakfast bar" to delineate space. Or, just allow the kitchen and den to flow together.

5. You can create the feeling of warmth in a den through color choices for paint, wallpaper and furniture. Flooring materials can also create very exciting effects. Rather than paneling, you might consider adding the warmth of wood with hardwood floors and open-beam rafters in the den.

If your new den will be an addition to the house, you will need to think carefully about the grade of the land, the appropriate type of foundation, and the external appearance of the new addition. The external materials will certainly need to match or blend with the exterior of the existing house. The line of the new roof will need to be consonant with the existing roof line, and the shingles should match. You can, however, consider some options that will make your home more energy efficient, such as installation of solar energy panels or a skylight. A fireplace could provide alternative heating as well as creating a feeling of warmth in the room. With so many styles of fireplace available, you will certainly be able to find and include a fireplace that accents your den and other rooms with which it connects.

Whether you choose to remodel existing space or to add to your home, you will need to attend to heat and air conditioning in the new den, as well as electricity. This, as well as the need to construct a foundation and exterior walls, may help you decide whether this is a do-it-yourself project or you need to call in professionals for all or part of the work. Many localities require electrical and heat/air work to be done by licensed professionals. If you are building a fireplace, proper ventilation will be critical. You may want to have a professional do these types of work, leaving the paneling or drywall and decorating for you to do.

Whether you choose a simple plan or a very creative and exciting room design, you can create a marvelous living space for your family by adding a den to your existing home. The project will be great fun to plan and build, and you will have a renovation that will improve your lifestyle and increase the value of your home.

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Dan Fritschen is a highly respected remodeling expert and the author of several books on remodeling. His website http://www.remodelestimates.com offers free information, cost estimates and referrals to homeowners considering home remodeling.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Fritschen

Technorati Tags: bathroom remodeling, den remodeling