Bathroom Refresh Q & A

From bland and basic to refreshed and beautiful, it's probably easier than you think to transform your personal oasis - and it doesn't have to break the bank. Here are a few money-saving tips, as well as a few creative ideas from Carter Oosterhouse.

Pictured: Moen Voss Collection - simple lines & clean tailored structure of Voss work with any decor.

Q: What can I do to make my small bathroom feel larger?

A: Clutter can make a small space feel even smaller. So focus on storage and de-cluttering by paring down on towels and using just one large floor rug. Select one piece of art instead of lots of small pieces. To add the illusion of space, buy a mirror meant to hang on a door (only about $15 at most discount stores) and hang it horizontally over the tub.

Q: What can I do to spruce up my bathroom without totally redoing it?

A: The easiest way to make an instant impact is by replacing the first thing people notice in a bathroom - that old shower curtain. Perk up your bathroom with a matching curtain and rug. Or add a houseplant or flower to the countertop. (Just be sure to pick one that can deal with low light.)

A tip from Carter Oosterhouse: Pay attention to the small stuff. Use knobs, textures and a soap tray to help dictate your style. 

Q: I need a new vanity. How can I get one on a budget?Design Specialist: Clay Bernard

A: Here's where it pays to get creative. Take an old kitchen island or bedroom dresser and cut a hole to fit the sink. If the top is damaged, you can cover it with broken mosaic tiles. You can also update the countertop.

A top from Carter Oosterhouse: When you're looking to install a new countertop, remember there's more than granite and marble out there. Take a look at concrete or butcher block. 

Q: Do you have any creative storage ideas?

A: Repurpose a couple vintage mason jars and hang them on the wall to store odds and ends like Q-tips, make-up sponges and cotton balls. Adding a shelf above the door is a great way to make use of space for things you don't need everyday like extra toilet paper, hand soap and towels. Or use a double towel bar or longer towel bar (24" or more) or robe hooks to keep things neat and orderly. 

Q: How can I bring that luxury hotel feel into my bathroom?Moen Twist™

A: If you're dreaming about that beautiful hotel you recently stayed in, try bringing some of that luxury home with a space-creating curved shower rod, or add an upscale touch with a decorative hotel shelf. You can also capture the experience with the new Moen Twist™shower head. It has four different spray settings that can be changed with the flick of your wrist, and features a Spot-Resist® finish that prevents fingerprints and water spots.

Q: How important is the right lighting?

A: The right lighting can make a small bathroom look bigger or a spacious one cozier. To prevent shadowing on your face, be sure to center the lighting over the mirror. If you have two sinks, center one light over each. 

Recipe: Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes

Ingredients:

Pancake Mix

Pineapple slices

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Syrup

Cooking Directions:

• Prepare pancake mix according to the package directions

• Pour your pancake mix into the skillet then place your pineapple slices inside & flip

• Cook pancakes thoroughly per the package directions

• Pour on syrup as desired and enjoy!

For more great recipes or to order Pampered Chef products please contact our Design Specialist, Amber Albrecht

Recipe: Triple Layer Brownies

Ingredients:

1 package - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (24 count pop & bake, 1 roll refrigerated dough, OR homemade)

 12 - Oreo Double Stuff Cookies

½ box - Brownie Mix + ingredients to make mix

Baking Directions:

• Spray brownie pan with nonstick baking spray and flour

• Mix ½ package of brownie mix according to package directions

• Place 2 squares of cookie dough OR 2 small scoops of dough, if using a roll or homemade, in the bottom of each brownie well and press down evenly

• Top with 1 Oreo cookie and one medium scoop of brownie batter

• Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes

• Let cool and enjoy!

For more great recipes or to order Pampered Chef products please contact our Design Specialist, Amber Albrecht

Green Remodeling Ideas That Will Save You Money

"Going green" is more than just a passing phase - being environmentally thoughtful has become a way of life for many Americans, not to mention businesses that serve their needs. From recycling bottles and cans to investing in a do-it-yourself composter, homeowners all over the country are doing their part to help reduce emissions and protect the planet for future generations. 

There are plenty of small things you can do to make your home more energy efficient, but what if you want to go a step further? Whether you're building a new home or renovating your current place, these green remodeling ideas will save you money over that long haul and make your home more appealing to buyers when you're ready to sell - while saving the earth in the process. 

Solar Panels

They're expensive to install, but solar panels are worth the investment. Last April, the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory released its findings of an eight-and-half-year study of the California real estate market. According to the report, existing homes that were retrofitted with solar panels sold for an average of $17,000 more than comparable homes without them.

They'll also save you a lot of money over time. For example, a homeowner in Chicago who pays an average of $200 per month on electricity would spend more than $43,000 to have solar panels installed. After tax credits and rebates, the total cost would be just over $30,000. However, after just one year, that homeowner would save anywhere between $1,200 to $2,778 on electric bills. After 25 years, that savings could be as high as $116,560.

To find out how much solar panels could save you, visit: Solar-Estimate.org

Composite Decking

In addition to saving trees by using composite decking instead of wood, you'll save yourself a big hassle. Wooden decks need to be sealed every couple years to keep water out, and eventually the elements will cause at least a few boards to rot and splinter. 

Composite decking, made from a blend of wood waste and plastic, doesn't require the same upkeep as traditional wood deck boards. You won't need to seal it, which eliminates the time and money you'd spend resealing plus fewer chemicals will be released into the air. And since the deck won't rot, no trees will be cut down and used to replace it after a few years. 

The average cost of a composite deck addition is $15,579, according to Remodeling Magazine, but you can expect to recoup more than 60% of your cost when you sell your home - more than if you replaced your roof or added a master suite. 

Synthetic Grass

It sounds crazy, but using fake grass in your yard is a real thing. It looks surprisingly real, and is great for homes in dry climates where it requires a lot of extra effort - and water - to grow the real thing. According to online retailer Artificial Turf Supply, the synthetic stuff costs about twice as much to install as sod. In a 1,500 square-foot yard, ground prep, sod and a sprinkler system would cost $4,750 a year while artificial grass would run just over $10,000. 

But over an eight-year period (the warranty period of the synthetic grass listed on the site), the cost of maintaining a sod lawn would cost more than $14,500. During that same period, there would be no additional costs to maintain the fake stuff, which means a savings of more than $4,000. After 15 years, the savings skyrockets to $13,000. Basically, artifical turf pays for itself completely.

And you're doing more than putting money in your pocket. You may still "rinse" the lawn from time to time, but you won't waste gallons of water saturating the ground to keep the grass alive. It doesn't need mowing, either, which means lower gasoline emissions polluting the air. 

No matter what green home remodeling project you want to pursue, make sure you find yourself a like-minded contractor. Look for a pro who has some experience in green building, or is at least open-minded and eager to get an eco-friendly project under his or her belt. 

Copyright © 2012 Yahoo! Inc.

Bathroom Remodeling Tips

A single bathroom remodeling tip could inspire fresh thinking for your entire remodeling project. Trends area always being updated, so it's useful to know what's new in home bathroom design. You'll find bathroom remodeling advise and inspiration here.

Express Yourself

Choosing Colors: A fresh coat of paint is an easy way to give your room an instant face-lift. Single color schemes make small rooms larger and a neutral palette can expand your space more. Or, add drama with colors like deep reds, eggplant, ochre, and dark blues or greens. 

The Personal Touch: Collections and objects that express your personality or your family history will make your home interesting to your guests and more enjoyable for you. 

Imported Ideas: Consider letting a favorite hotel or restaurant, or an outdoor spot that you enjoy, provide the inspiration for your bedroom, dining room or bath. 

Planting Style: One beautiful plant can be a strong design statement. Your style sense will determine whether a dramatic green plant or a bright floral bouquet is best for you.

Dynamic Design

The Right Finish: Now more than ever, you have choices for kitchen and bath fixtures. While matte or polished chrome are always popular, homeowners are choosing darker finishes such as oil-rubbed bronze and wrought iron. Consider the look and feel you wish to create when deciding. 

Bright Ideas: Halogen downlights and scones provide whiter light and fresh designs. Visit the lighting section of your home improvement center to get a better idea of these styles.

Quick 'n Easy: Multi-purpose rooms need to switch moods easily. Today's high-tech dimmers let you fine-tune your lights - even dim or raise them with a remote. 

Mix It Up: Today's larger kitchen has room for variety. Mix-and-match styles and wood types for an eclectic feel that adds a unique look, from baseboard to hanging cabinets.

Packs a Punch

High-Performance Shower: Today's shower design offers unprecedented opportunities for adding deluxe features - massaging vertical spas, rain shower showerheads and luxurious materials such as glass, tile and stone. 

Organized Kitchen: Specialized storage systems, appliances and fixtures speed meal preparation and keep entertaining organized. Choose open shelving for quick access. Locate a faucet next to the range to fill big pots quickly and conveniently.

Design Focus: A single, dramatic focal point for a room you're remodeling makes the improvements more obvious. Try a special piece of furniture, an interesting piece of art or one wall that's boldly colored.

Double Duty: Lighting is a sculpture as well as illumination. Choose light fixtures in shapes that are pleasing to look at - whether they're switched on or off.

Works for Me

Getaway Baths: The bath can be a relaxing, serene environment. Add massaging or rain showerheads, a deep Zen soaking tub and even music and candles to enhance the revitalizing experience. 

Counter Space: If your bathroom is being shared by the family, counter space is critical. Consider a vanity with cabinets for extra storage and organization.

Ageless Amenities: Features usually associated with older homeowners - easier access, brighter lighting and convenient handholds - are helpful at any age. Adding them with your remodel could improve your home's resale value.

Bed and Breakfast: Adding a morning bar to a master bedroom with an elaborate, built-in countertop and sink is a great way to add luxury and functionality.

Practical Approach

Finding Your Design: Start a scrapbook of design ideas you find in magazines and online. This will help you establish a foundation for your remodeling project. 

Sketch Your Layout: This will help you understand how you would like your new room to look and help you change the little things that you don't care for in your current design.

Set a Budget: By outlining how much you can spend on each phase of the project you will be able to see if you can splurge on the extras; like a contractor or if you need to cut and do it yourself.

Set a Timeline: This will help you keep on track and allow you to achieve your remodeling goals.