Kitchen
We're pleased to announce the launch of 5 more blogs which will focus on Kitchens, Paint, Green Building, Tools and Home Security.
The depth of these categories is huge so we felt they needed their own websites.
You can reach these other blogs from the navigation bar at the very top of the page and don't forget the content on every blog is also segmented into specific categories which you'll find along the right-hand side of the website.
We can now offer direct advertising opportunities across our entire network or on a single blog within the network.
We'd like to thank Maggie Hong of Pixrelated for creating our great crest logos and Chad Everett for his Movable Type mastery in developing the back-end of our blogs.
We'd also like to thank our bevy of bloggers who pump out great content on a daily basis, Katy Ryan, Tabatha Muntzinger, Laura Serino, Diana Dart, Deren Monday and Jennifer Volland. You can also check out the rest of our team here.
If you're interested in blogging for Charles & Hudson or have a product or service announcement you think would be a great fit for our home improvement blog network please contact us.
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoy our new blogs.
Heath Ceramics is a Bay Area institution. The company's skilled craftsmen have been producing exquisite tableware and tile at the Sausalito factory for over 50 years. Lucky for us, they are only human. Because the tile is made-to-order, they often churn out pieces that don't pass Heath's strict standards and sell it at the factory store.
But, trust me, this is still an incredible find. Offered at 75% off retail, the overstock works particularly well for small installations (like the bathroom pictured here). Colors, sizes, and quantity vary daily so it pays to check the inventory list for current availability. And you must purchase in person, so if you don't live on the West Coast, it's a good excuse to start planning a trip.
The latest series from our Kitchen blog is from Jennifer Volland who highlights the design and build process of her friends Hollywood Hills kitchen.
Part I: Where to Save
Part II: Where to Spend
Part III: How to Plan
The beauty and strength of a concrete countertop can be yours with planning, some basic materials and a little patience. Create a beautiful, unique piece of art for your kitchen or bathroom with a DIY concrete countertop.
Start With the Template
A lot of the work in making concrete countertops happens in the planning stage. Make sure you make an exact template of your countertop - use cardboard or something with the same strength and flexibility.
Make your measurements twice and be sure to account for all fixtures and drains.
There was plenty of luxury on display at the 2010 Builders' Show and it is no more apparent than in the wine storage sector.
VintageView from the Wine Master Cellars is a wine-lovers dream. They were the first wine storage company to create a label-forward wine racking display system instead of the traditional cork forward display. Now you can really show off your vintage without pulling bottles.
These systems are in place in the finest restaurants and hotels throughout the world but you can also have one of these installed at home. Hey it's just money!
We appreciate simple products that upon visual inspection are easy to recognize what purpose they serve. The PermaFLOW is one such product. Simply remove your current p-trap located below a kitchen or bathroom sink and replace it with a the PermaFLOW which will allow you to easily remove a drain buildup before a clog develops. This in turn eliminates the use of plunging, toxic drain cleaners and expensive service calls.
If your drain starts to slow down you reach under the sink and give the external dial a spin which moves the debris back into the water stream and you've got a clear drain again. This product is clear which also makes it easy to locate lost jewelry or valuables that may have fallen into a sink. Because it also eliminates the need for drain chemicals your home waste water will always remain much cleaner.
We've all tackled tile issues. Whether it's during a bathroom remodel, cleaning grout or installing a backsplash, tile is everywhere.
Tile is easy to clean and usually requires low-maintenance but it can also be tough to remove and tricky to install.
We've highlighted some blogs who've recently tackled tile and won!
Young House Love is nearly done with their bathroom remodel which includes new shower tile and bathroom floor tile. It's looking great and they've done it all themselves with a little help from Dad. (that's the start of their tile in the photo above)
DIY Diva takes aim at a man-cave/bathroom remodel and shares her remodel options that are of course "not too girly".
One Project Closer gives a nice rundown of Miracle Tile Grout cleaner and how to use it. Remember before sealing grout you need to thoroughly clean it.
Rehab or Die follows up on their New Years resolution and finally gets to their kitchen backsplash and walks us through the entire process which great final results.
Kitchen remodels don't necessarily require a change to your kitchen layout. Many times it is nice to redirect traffic or expand within a kitchen but if you are happy with your current kitchen plan you probably just need a cosmetic kitchen makeover.
The cosmetic makeover leaves the layout unchanged but involves replacing surfaces. Countertops, cabinets, floors and walls can all be changed and upgraded for a dramatic effect. Just changing out kitchen hardware and retrimming windows or adding a backsplash will make a difference.
This is an easy way to get creative and without spending a huge amount and the results come quickly.
Faux bois seems to be en vogue these days and we like it! Apartment Therapy found this builder that fabricates kitchen countertops made of concrete but look like wood.
Granite countertops are a beautiful and versatile material for kitchens and baths, but even stone surfaces will develop visible wear and damage over time.
Homeowners can perform preventative care for stone countertops, and, when an unsightly chip or scratch appears, even some repairs and patches. Hiring a professional isn't always necessary for these repairs, and with a little investment, the often greater expense of calling a granite repair service can be avoided all together for most issues.
First, sealing the stone regularly is a "must" to prevent stains and scratches. All kinds of options exist for sealing granite, but most homeowners simply purchase a common stone sealer like those found at a hardware store. Follow the application guidelines on the sealer bottle.
Small cracks and split seams can be filled and strengthened. This requires getting a hold of polyester and/or acrylic adhesive (each with activator). Use liquid acrylic for small cracks and knife grade polyester glue for wider seams. Polyester color kits are used to match the glue color to the stone.
As a temporary, cosmetic fix, one industry secret for covering up small chips and cracks is to use a good old permanent marker. Find one that matches the darker spots in the stone and use a finger to smudge the ink in, breaking up the pattern of the crack or chip. This can be covered with some clear nail polish or acrylic if available.
