Today,  Tonya writes: Dear Diva, We're looking to buy some new window blinds, hoping discount window blinds are possible. But my husband brought up a good point - does buying discount window blinds online translate into us ending up with a shoddy product? Do brands really matter? Help, we need some clarification here. In most cases the old ...

A couple of readers asked about Shaw's Anso Nylon with R2X carpet.  They wanted to know what so great about it.  Well there are a couple of things, Shaw Anso Nylon with R2X is made with 25% post consumer recycled content.  This is great for the environment in both the using recycled content and limiting ...

Recently I found a series of videos on YouTube that reminded me of the Mac vs. Windows commercials we've all seen on TV. The difference however, was that these videos were for Mohawk Smartstrand vs. Shaw R2X Carpet!  Needless to say I was intrigued. With the exception of Armstrong, I've found that most flooring commercials ...

Today Sandy writes: Dear Diva, I'm consider Smartstrand Carpet for my living room and dining room.  I have three small kids and a large dog.  Now the guy at the flooring store recommended hands down for my space, is it the best carpet for me? Thanks While it's difficult to know exactly what carpet will work best ...

Today Dianne asks, Dear Diva:  I've been considering my options for new countertops and I think I've finally narrowed it down, what do you think about Vetrazzo Glass? Dianne, I think Vetrazzo is an excellent choice for a glass countertop! I've been enamored by Vetrazzo's Recycled Glass Countertops ever since I first laid eyes on them.  Their ...

When it comes to bathroom makeovers one of the areas people splurge the most is on the bathtub or shower.   The labor, the plumber these are all necessary evils, but choosing the right luxury bathtub or shower that can be the fun part, especially if you have extra money to spend!  And I've got to ...

Thinking of buying a new eco-friendly bathtub? Rather save money on something more eco-friendly and less expensive? Consider a bathtub liner instead. Rather than pulling out the old tub, sending it to the land fill, using bathtub liner as it means less junk going into the environment. A bathtub liner is also much more likely ...

Ever wanted the look of wallpaper without actually using wallpaper?  Why not give wallpaper stenciling a try?  The great thing about using stencils and paint is that if you don't like it you can paint over it.  There is no scrapping or peeling.  Just prime over and repaint. There are thousands of ready made stencils ...

Today Laura writes: Dear Diva, I just painted my bedroom with low voc paint, I used good painter's tape on the baseboards but when I took the tape off it left little pieces of tape on the baseboards and in some areas the tape bleed through.  What did I do wrong?  I just don't understand why ...

Full on kitchen makeovers are not for everyone.  First of all, they can cost a pretty penny. Second, of all they require you to be without the use of your kitchen for weeks or even months.  If you've ever wanted the look of a kitchen remodel without the hefty price tag or the lengthy wait, ...

Today Fran asks: Dear diva, I work from home and I have gone through two of those plastic looking office chair mat's this year.  Are there any alternatives that will last longer?  And look better? Yes! There are fashionable alternatives to the plastic office chair mat!  My favorite is using a bamboo chair mat.  Made out of ...

Many of our readers have been asking for low cost renovations for the kitchen and I've just found another great one!  So rather than pointing you to our installing article on picking out a granite or quartz countertop, check out this new product that gives you the look of granite or quartz countertop without the ...

In today's economy, the home improvements we want to make are sometimes just out of our budget.  Just because it's impossible to make the large home improvements doesn't mean that there is nothing that can be done though!  Think I'm nuts? Then check out these smaller projects that can really makeover your bathroom... #1 New paint: ...

Thinking solar mesh roller shades? Before buying them, there are a few things you should consider. Solar mesh roller shades don't provide any privacy, they simply give you shelter from the sun - nothing else.  And how much of the sun is actually blocked is determined by which shades you go with.  Most shades will ...

Today Laura writes: Dear Diva, I don't understand what reclaimed wood flooring is and why it is so great.  Please enlighten me! What's the big deal? Why is everyone talking about reclaimed wood flooring?  Because it's a great way to add value to your home and makes great eco-friendly flooring for your home.  Reclaimed wood flooring is ...

Today Kim writes: Dear diva, My tile in my shower was not done properly and I had to replace everything down to the studs.  I was planning on putting up marble tile up in my shower walls but I have run out of money and it is no longer in my budget.  I like the ...

So how do you choose a new bathroom vanity? There are so many products out there it is difficult to know what to get and where to start.  Choosing a new bathroom vanity is definitely one of those products.  Whether you're remodeling your entire bathroom or just replacing your vanity there are a few things ...

When considering eco-friendly flooring, sustainability is an important factor. Then again, so is indoor air quality.  During my search, I was pleased to find so many sustainable products that are also good for people with environmental allergies.  Here is a list of some Formaldehyde free flooring I found unique and interesting. Palm Smith & Fong's Duraplam Flooring ...

Thinking of new hardwood flooring? Consider cost hardwood flooring installed. Outside of cost, fact is hardwood flooring will add value to your home. While not as eco-friendly as reclaimed wood flooring, traditional hardwood flooring comes in several types, available in many colors, grains, and plank sizes.  The price of hardwood flooring  ranges from $1.99 SF ...

There is just something so decor friendly about choosing new roman shades. Decor friendly roman shades are a wonderful addition to almost any room.  That said, I would avoid using them for windows next to wet areas like kitchen sinks and bathrooms. Because roman shades are fabric and harder to clean, keeping them from bathrooms ...

Today Tammy writes: Help me diva!  I have looked at the website baliblinds.com for weeks now.  I've ordered samples in several styles of window treatments and I think I've finally found "the" color for my living room, but it is not the type of shade I originally thought of. I want window treatments with good light ...

Today Steve writes: I just read your article on window treatments for hard to reach window treatment solutions. It was helpful, but I still have a question.  What type of window treatments can I get with the remote option? Well Steve, you can get several different types of remote control blinds and shades.  Remote functionality used to ...

Today Patricia asks, My husband and I need a master bathroom remodel badly. My husband thinks we can do it ourselves but neither of us are that handy. I am afraid this will turn out to be a bigger project than he expects and we will end up over our heads. But he ...

Today, Tina asks: I have a small bathroom I'm shopping for new tile for, and I just don't know what to do!  What size of tile should I go with?  I've heard that I should go with small tiles and I've also heard that I need to stay with big!  Which way is it? Don't despair you ...

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't get asked  which are better - granite or quartz countertop surfaces?  There is no real right or a wrong answer here.  Simply put, both granite or quartz are great countertop options.  What you've got to ask yourself is what will work better for you. Lost? Consider ...

Not too long back, we were contacted by a PR firm that wanted to share a product that competes with SimpleMat called Bondera TileMatSet. Intrigued, we agreed to receive what Bondera calls a Tiling Toolbox. On the surface it might look like any other wooden box, but once opened up, we discovered that it contained ...

Several of our readers have expressed frustration and anxiety about how to deal with hard to reach window treatments once Spring comes and the sun is out again.  Many of who, mentioned feeling like they are living in a cave because they pull the shades down for the sunny months and only open them in ...

If you have extra wide windows you might think your chooses for window treatments are limited, but there are more styles out there then one would think! It just takes a little more thought and a little more thinking outside the box! Here are 3 popular styles for extra wide window blinds: Vertical Blinds - These ...

Just starting the process of adding a kitchen backsplash is rather overwhelming. This video below demonstrates just how fast you can be over-run by simple kitchen backsplash idea overload. So while there's easy to install backsplash concepts like SimpleMat, chances want to still explore the alternatives. That is where this article comes in. We hope to clear ...

Today an anonymous reader writes: Really need your help with this one. Should I be looking at ideas for my backsplash with tile samples? I work a lot, so I don't have a lot of time to look for new kitchen tile backsplash ideas, do you have any suggestions? I just want to make sure I ...