(PRWEB) June 29, 2013

HomeThangs.com the Online Home Improvement Store has made their goal to deliver the right product to the consumer. With that in mind, shopping and home design tips, as well as special product selections are being introduced.

Adding a second sink is starting to show up on a lot of kitchen to-do lists. Having a second sink, whether a small prep sink or a second full sized one, can solve a whole host of common kitchen annoyances, but the convenience doesnt come without a cost. HomeThangs.com has introduced a simple guide to which kitchens could use a second sink and which ones would be better without.

A secondary sink isnt right for every kitchen, and in some cases can be a lot of trouble and expense for something that might not get a lot of use. Because even small sinks will need both a water supply and a drain line, this is a project that should only be undertaken as part of a larger remodel. A consult with a contractor to determine the cost (and feasibility) of plumbing the area in question should be done very early in the planning stages.

If plumbing the area is feasible, the next important step is to determine what the sink will be used for and whether or not the existing kitchen sink can do the job on its own. Second sinks work better the bigger the kitchen; even in a moderately sized kitchen, it isnt a big trip from one end to another. While a secondary sink might save a few steps, if there isnt much space between the two sinks, it might not be worth it. Placing two identical sinks side by side seems unnecessary at best, but very large kitchens with two obviously separate prep stations almost demand two separate sinks.

Where a two-sink set up really shines, though, is in kitchens that are frequently used by more than one person at once. For a family that cooks together or a couple that entertains, having only one source of running water can be a pain. Adding a second sink can allow two people to work comfortably in the same space without rubbing elbows. Though, again, this really works better the bigger the kitchen, as even a small sink can monopolize the counter space in a too-small kitchen.

Secondary kitchen sinks are great for a second prep space, but its important to figure out ahead of time where the prep space is and why its needed. For example, having a second sink on the far side of a large kitchen island makes sense it allows the space to be used for prep and easily be cleaned up without walking all the way around to get back to a sink. Separate prep spaces can also be nice if for kitchens with a dedicated baking station, making it simple to add water or wash hands without crossing the kitchen. Second sinks are also ideal for butlers pantries that are physically removed from the main kitchen (and sink).

For those considering a second sink to eliminate the problem of carrying heavy pots of water across the kitchen, installing a second sink might actually not be the best option. To streamline the process of making large quantities of soup or pasta, installing a pot filler into the backsplash above or counter alongside a kitchen range is a much more efficient solution, as it allowing pots, pans, and kettles to be filled directly on the stove. For a faster, simpler way to brew coffee or tea in the morning, installing a second sink near a espresso machine or coffee setup can work, but adding a drinking water faucet to the primary sink, combined with a point of use water heater and an undercounter water filter can actually produce better water thats hotter, faster.

For frequent entertainers, adding a second, wet bar style sink can make it easier to sit and serve drinks without repeated trips across the kitchen. Though this is a feature more commonly associated with a home bar than a kitchen, in a sufficiently large kitchen either with a large kitchen island with multiple seats, or a kitchen with a separate eating nook even a relatively small sink can add significant convenience for entertainers.

To see a few designer kitchens with secondary sinks, read the full article here.

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HomeThangs.com has Introduced a Guide to the Pros and Cons of Installing a Second Kitchen Sink

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Okay so its a funny title, and hopefully it hooked you, but its really no laughing matter. Fireworks are fun and iconic and beautiful and thrilling and it's undeniable that they're culturally important to Americans around this time of year. So yay, fireworks! Independence!

But fireworks are also dangerous, in a very real way. Thousands and thousands of people are injured every year (over 9,600 individuals from June 2010 to July 2011) with casualties including major burns, loss of fingers and limbs, and even decapitation. Yes, 4 people were killed by fireworks in the same time period mentioned above (June 2010 - July 2011).

So I hope you'll take your firecrackering very seriously. Should you abstain completely? Of course not! You know, baseball and apple pie and all that Americana goodness. Participate but please do so consciously and carefully (and of course, soberly). Here's how to make sure your firework fiesta is a safe one:

Keep it legal. Buy only legal fireworks from licensed fireworks vendors. Use said fireworks according to the laws of your state. (I know, the illegal ones are so much cooler. They're also illegal for a reason.)

Adults only. Fireworks are, you know FIRE. Children should not participate in the lighting or operation of fireworks. This goes for sparklers too (I know, so sad).

Sober operators only! I know, I know, its the 4th of July! BBQ! But listen, just like you should have a designated driver, you should designate someone to stay sober until sundown and act as the fireworks operator. Friends don't let drunk relatives light fireworks.

Wear protection - goggles or other eye safety gear (I know). Thousands of contractors, from electricians in Baltimore to roofers in Cincinnati, wear safety goggles every day at work. You won't look like a dork; you'll look like a skilled worker.

Light fireworks in a clear, flat area free of debris or any other flammable material (including other fireworks!). Look up make sure there are no overhead obstructions (like tall trees or telephone wires). Keep a filled bucket, a garden hose, or ideally a fire extinguisher nearby. Think ahead!

Always read the instructions and safety precautions for each type of firework before you light it. They're all different so you need to read them all. (I know you'll just skim it but seriously read it!)

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How to light fireworks at home without getting dead

Indianapolis, Indiana (PRWEB) June 27, 2013

A kitchen remodel project is a big decision and a big investment. The average family remodels a kitchen every twenty years. Therefore making sure to get the best design tips, best quality and the best price is important.

Holly Denihan is the kitchen designer for DirectBuy of Indianapolis with an Interior Design degree from Ball State and she has given some tips and trends for remodeling a kitchen.

Trends in all remodeling projects are coming to consumers quicker because of social media. Two popular sites to explore would be houzz.com and pinterest. Houzz gives professionals an area to share their past projects and pinterest is a great source for the DIY person. With the numerous online options the consumer is more educated for quality, look, function and price, also looking for products that are long lasting.

Trends actually start with fashion, for colors, patterns and styles. Those trends then flow into the home furnishings area and then to the home decor and the long lasting items like tile, flooring and cabinetry.

The kitchen is still the hub for the family. It is where homework is done, family gather to talk and share as well as prepare meals. As the heart of the home, the family is looking for a comfortable place, clean lines and multi functioning space.

What is the latest and greatest? With the finishes in cabinetry, Holly is seeing more paints; white or cream with gray glazing, black paint or gray paints and selecting custom paint colors to crate a more personal style. For those who are choosing wood colors there is more opened grain woods especially rustic oak and rustic hickory with a modern gray stain that highlights the grain. This is the same trend with wood flooring.

The kitchen includes a lot of natural elements like reclaimed woods and metals. Especially for the back splash and hardware. Combining natural stone with glass, mosaics, joining rustic and industrial.

Todays kitchen is looking for less maintenance, therefore counter tops are moving away from the granite that requires being sealed yearly to quartz which has no maintenance and a variety of finishes available like natural stone.

The kitchen layouts itself is changing. The triangle work flow of the 50s is no longer in existence. Now the kitchens are designed with work zones and more function. More accessories are being used for the cabinetry; double trash cans, one for trash and one for recycles is very popular. Space is being designed for the technology that is being used, including charging station and storage areas for electronics. The desk space has been replaced for the open island for the all usage space; homework, preparation, serving.

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DirectBuy of Indianapolis Shares: Trends in Kitchen Remodeling

San Diego House Plans
San Diego Autocad Drafting Services company is an alternative to an architect for home additions, bathroom remodels, and kitchen remodels. Derek Berg helps c...

By: MADesignandDrafting

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San Diego House Plans - Video

CHRISTINA MIRANDO - WOMEN DESIGN BUILD
Christina Mirando - Women Design Build ; founder http://www.womendesignbuild.com in Austin, Texas | http://www.StructEnv.com Office 512-809-1609 ; http://www...

By: 1cyberone1

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CHRISTINA MIRANDO - WOMEN DESIGN BUILD - Video

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Not all remodels are created equally when it comes to return-on-investment. Over the years, we have published great advice for increasing home value. The latest trends are not always the best investments! Simple, sound remodels seem to be the ticket. Have a look at these eight ideas.

Kitchen trends to avoid if you want to sell: Vessel sinks, pull out racks, hanging pot racks, and stainless steel appliances all might not provide the return-on-investment that you are looking for.

Our guide to the super cheap bathroom remodel: The "super-cheap bathroom remodel", introduced to us by a DIY remodeler in Minneapolis, can offer a surprising return-on-investment. Do the work carefully, and you can transform your bathroom into something that buyers will love.

Storage features that buyers want: Buyers want closets, and lots of them. Having a carpenter add or revamp closets is a remodel that could land you with higher bids than you expected.

Renovations with the best return-on-investment: An interior designer discusses aesthetic choices that will pay off when selling your house. Bottom line: Choose simple, classic, high quality styles. Avoid anything too "artsy" or too "personal".

Best home renovations to prepare for selling your house: A realtor talks about the best renovations to invest in. His picks: Roofs, kitchens and baths, basements, flooring, and insulation.

Four worthwhile home energy retrofits: Not all retrofits offer great returns-on-investment. A green building experts says that insulating the ceilings and floors, sealing attic knee walls, sealing ducts, and installing shade screens on windows are sound investments.

Making the right landscape choices for curb appeal: Improve soil grading, fix exterior concrete problems, maintain your lawn, and make your landscape similar to that of the rest of the neighborhood to improve home value.

Fix municipal problems that lower home value: Problems like smelly sewers, cracked sidewalks, and broken street lights all can drive buyers away.

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8 tips for increasing home value

James Bornemeier

Over the past decade we have assembled a group of men and women who construct, repair, maintain, paint, power wash and perform all the other crafts, like plumbing and electrical, that most Shelter Islander homeowners find the need to call on over the years.

And then there are the tree and lawn guys. My wife and I are deeply divided over the amount of attention the lawn needs. My standard line is that she is reaching for an Augusta National Golf Club level of verdancy, while I would be content with a presentable if a little, scruffy Island lawn. I never win this battle but I get to use the Augusta National line on a yearly basis. Our team of craftsmen is a great bunch of people and its always a pleasure to see them show up to chat about whatever comes up world affairs, local affairs, Island gossip (Im useless there), home prices (usually a very short conversation). And they do all the work for free! Threw that in there to see if you were paying attention. In fact this entire paragraph could be interpreted by a coldly cynical person as a brazen ploy to encourage quick call-backs from team members by publicly praising them. That level of cynicism has no place on this Island. But come to think of it, if thats how the relationship works, so be it.

Our carpenter helped me win a major victory when we remodeled the kitchen years ago. I was adamant about keeping the existing stained cabinets with those old timey hinges and repainting them a lighter hue to make the black hinges pop. I also was pretty much locked in to installing a wood countertop. The carpenter joined with me and we carried the day. It turned out great, maybe not the ideal countertop for families with small children but for seniors, it works well. We managed to gouge it on its second day of service when a heavy glass took a suicide leap from an open cabinet door, but its held up well since then.

He also helped solve what I feared was the unsolvable: the leak that dripped into the kitchen sink during blustery rain. There were several possible culprits, prime among them some dodgy flashing around a vent pipe poking up from the attic roof. I trained the hose on the flashing while the brave carpenter stood watch in the attic underneath the vent. We had a gusher. With a new vent and proper installation, no leak knock wood so far.

In Manhattan, we have a similar group of fixers and maintainers, but not as folksy as the Island crew. There is the friendly dishwasher who was summoned three times in the past 15 years to replace some mangled part. On the third visit, last year, he delivered the grim news: not fixable. So, with the new one operating perfectly, presumably, Ill not be seeing this guy anytime soon.

We have a Sub-Zero refrigerator, sort of a hoity-toity brand for us. But the kitchen remodel designer called for it because Sub-Zeros locate their working parts underneath the freezer cabinets, making for shallower depth. When you are dealing with a 7-foot galley kitchen space, every inch counts. I bring this up because we twice needed a repairman and it was the same guy and because he seems to be the only Sub-Zero repairman in Manhattan. He also gave me a very high compliment. With Sub-Zeros youre supposed to vacuum the mossy crud that accumulates on the compressors front side twice a year. Its not that big a deal to do: You have to remove the bottom freezer compartment, drop to the floor, unscrew the plate in front of the compressor, vacuum the crud and then backtrack. Takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The compliment was this: To his knowledge, I was one of just a few Sub-Zero owners in all of New York City who performed this maintenance. Ill take em when I can get em.

These Manhattan kitchen remodels are something of a rite of passage in the city. They are nerve-wracking, disrupting, dirty and behind schedule. During ours, I was working during the week in Philadelphia so I would return to find a wife who had been driven wild by the demo and construction. (There is a scene in Jane Eyre that comes to mind.) But the project turned out splendidly. Until the lovely floor tiles began cracking into hundreds of fissures. What I tell you next is an urban miracle. The good news is that I hounded the contractor to put in new tile, free of charge; the very bad news is that a crabby young Eastern European man arrived with a jack hammer and busted up the entire kitchen floor. I wanted to flee but felt I had a duty to stay and witness this incomprehensible and savage attack. The crabby young man instantaneously diagnosed the problem. Wrong material for the sub-flooring. That too needed to be jack-hammered out. Here is the essence of the miracle: The free jack-hammering and reinstallation of our lovely tiles took him about six hours. The experience probably shortened my life, but the tiles remain lovely to this day

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Weekend edition: Looking for a fix in two seperate places

In a DIY culture increasingly driven by the HGTV fantasy of ivory-tower remodels, true renovation blogs are hard to find. Meryl Phillips and Chris Miller's Picardy Project blog ( http://www.picardyproject.com) fills a small niche by lifting the veil on what it's like to inhabit the house you're taking apart and rebuilding. The East Oakland couple's honest accounts and tips for renovators (see below) have won them a dedicated following. Read about their adventures at http://bit.ly/ZD30Ty.

Phillips and Miller learned this the hard way when they decided to embark on the biggest project in their house at the beginning. Living without a kitchen is difficult, and they had to endure it for a lot longer because they were inexperienced. They remodeled the floor tile, installed all new cabinets and granite and built a pass-through with an arch that was molded to match the other arches in the house. Miller suggests that first-time builders start out with a fence because nobody will get hurt if it falls down, yet it requires manual labor, intelligence and elements of design.

After trying to pull the garage back onto the foundation themselves, Miller and Phillips decided to get the help of a structural engineer while they did the labor to save costs. Refinishing the hardwood floors throughout the house ended up being more than they could handle, so they brought in professionals to do the work while they were out of town. Unfortunately, they weren't satisfied with the results. If you're going to get help, make sure you're there to oversee it, they recommend.

After investing in gorgeous beveled subway tile for the second bathroom - complete with custom laundry chute and built-in shelves - a sloppy tile job would have been a huge disappointment. While Phillips will take all the time in the world to lay tile, when it comes to a paint color or curtains, she won't sweat it because it's a cheap fix. Every room should have one big-ticket item, but it's OK to skimp on materials that can be replaced easily.

Renovating as a couple is stressful to begin with, but when one person gets upset, give them their space. Phillips recommends figuring out what each person's role is - she had to stop being bossy and admit that she was the less knowledgeable partner in her home renovation. One particularly difficult project was running the gas line to the washing machine. It required five trips to Home Depot to have the galvanized pipe recut - especially frustrating because they thought it would be a simple job.

It's important to create a living space that is clear and free of tools. For Miller and Phillips, it's the TV room. They both enjoy unwinding by watching movies, and for a few hours a night they can forget that their laundry room doesn't have a floor yet.

There's plenty of bad information on the Internet. Miller prefers to educate himself on building best practices from books. He recommends Taunton Press publications. It's not just about finding something that will work, it's about finding something that will work long term.

If you're planning on reselling, you don't want to go crazy with customizations, but there is a lot you can do to make a space your own without giving in to the "beige quality" that Miller and Phillips dislike in newer homes. The couple made a renovation to-do list, above; Phillips created a mobile for the baby at the end of the list, with miniature felt tools dangling from it.

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DIY remodelers slog and blog in Oakland

LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystal Cruises is preparing for a $17-million redesign of the award-winning Crystal Serenity this November. The line is planning sweeping makeovers of the ship's Crystal Penthouses (the line's coveted top accommodations) and Lido Deck, including the popular indoor/outdoor Trident Grill, Tastes restaurant, and Crystal Serenity's Lido cafe. Building upon the success of Crystal Symphony's "living wall," Crystal is expanding its green concept to the Lido area. Maintenance, cleaning, mechanical updates, and environmental upgrades will also be implemented throughout the ship's interior and exterior spaces during the two week dry dock at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130611/LA30218)

Come November, Crystal will have spent $52 million on Crystal Serenity's Extreme Makeover in the past two years and almost $120 million on the Extreme Makeover of its fleet in recent years.

"Our redesigns aren't merely new fabrics and soft goods. It is indeed extreme when you take out pools, tear down walls and completely re-invent spaces to create new chic, contemporary, and exceptionally welcoming and comfortable public areas and accommodations," says Crystal President Gregg Michel. "While we are honored we have won respected design awards for our remodels, we are even more gratified by the response from our guests international travelers who have an eye for style and appreciate fine design in their lifestyle and when they vacation."

Lido DeckLondon's Adfecto design firm was inspired by Santa Barbara's casual, yet cultured, "American Riviera" vibe for the transformation of the ship's spacious Lido deck. Natural stones, wrought iron, and an array of blues set the resort-like tone for space's major reconfiguration that will remove its indoor pool and Tastes kitchen, move the ice cream bar to the Trident Grill, and add more sofa seating, an open kitchen, and a cocktail bar. In addition, four "living walls" and additional greenery surrounding the Trident lounge area will bring the outdoors in.

As with Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity's Lido cafe will be redesigned with modern food islands replacing long buffet counters, more tables for two, and a fresh baked goods kitchen. A new, cherry wood dance floor will also be installed in the Palm Court, the ship's largest gathering place for drinks and dancing.

Crystal PenthousesToronto's II BY IV, the firm that won major design awards for its previous remodel of Crystal Serenity's staterooms, is redefining the ship's four top suites with clean lines, classic simplicity, and refined elegance in a dramatic ultra-contemporary remodel. Interiors of the butler-serviced, 1,345 square-feet residences will be gutted and spaces completely reconfigured. The dining area will move closer to the floor-to-ceiling windows and the private outdoor deck, while the former dining room will now hold a den/library/media room with a queen-sized sleeper sofa and closet. With a new shower added to the guest powder room, the space can function as a second bedroom, ideal for families and couples traveling together. The Penthouse also features a spacious living room and butler's pantry with private entrance.

The master bedroom will be made over with luxurious bedding, curtains, two entrances, and a new seating area. The master bath will feature marble, mosaics, a walk-in glass shower, and two waterproof Aquavision TV's, one embedded in the mirror, and one by the large window-side Jacuzzi tub.

In keeping with modern tech living, the CP's will feature three flat screen TV's, including a 3-D TV, plus a surround sound audio system, iPod docking stations, and increased wall outlets.

The Best of the RestWith more than 700 different jobs scheduled to be completed during the 13 days, the 500+ contractor crew and several hundred Crystal crew will also be working round-the-clock to thoroughly deep clean the ship, repaint exteriors, refurbish the "port pod," add energy-saving LED lighting in public areas and crew offices, and more.

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Crystal Serenity's Chic "Extreme Makeover" Planned For November

NORTH OLMSTED, OH--(Marketwired - Jun 11, 2013) - Move over Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner, singles are taking on home ownership in a big way. As more single men and women are purchasing homes by themselves, they're also rolling up their sleeves and tackling home improvement projects on their own. While men may do more projects overall, women are giving them a run for their money when it comes to DIY. Moen Incorporated surveyed hundreds of consumers to determine just how different guys and gals are when it comes to planning and executing home-related projects.

Before discussing Moen's findings, test your knowledge on the true or false statements below:

If you answered false to any of these statements, you're incorrect; all of the statements above are true. In fact, 39 percent of all heads of households are single, and what's even more surprising is most of them are women. And the trend is continuing: according to the 2011 NAR Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, 18 percent of recent home sales were made by single females, compared to men at around 10 percent. Take a look into the lives of these singles to discover some of Moen's key findings in the battle of the sexes: DIY edition.

DIY DesireWhen it comes to home improvements, today's busy singles aren't afraid to take on projects. On average, both single men and women take on four home improvement projects per year. From those big and small, Moen actually found that more men are planning to do dining room and basement remodels in the next 12 months compared to women, who have their sights set on the bathroom.

In addition to how often homeowners take on DIY projects, Moen sought to find the motivation behind some of these renovations. While half of single women said home improvement projects kept them busy, more men responded as wanting to try to keep up with the latest trends and preparing for major life changes (36 percent and 28 percent respectively).

To Spend, or Not to Spend?Women have a reputation of loving to shop.And while that may be true for personal indulgences -- it's not the same for home improvements. Moen found that men would spend an average of $25 more on supplies and materials to make home repairs than a woman would.

Another big cost for remodeling is hiring extra help.Not all DIY projects can be easy to achieve alone, however, more and more singles are looking to take on projects themselves. When it comes to less labor intensive or more detail-oriented home improvements, such as installing cabinet knobs, new window treatments or a shower rod, it seems men don't want to be bothered with the little things. Moen's research shows that more women than men would handle these projects themselves instead of hiring someone else to do it for them.

Kitchen UpdatesFrom entertaining to cooking, in general, we all know that women tend to spend more time in the kitchen.However for single ladies, remodeling this space isn't a project they are looking to tackle on their own. They -- more often than men -- will hire help or rely on a friend or family member for assistance. When it comes to kitchen remodels, men take on the actual physical labor more than women do.

And in the kitchen, what changes matter most? According to the survey, women are more interested in making upgrades to kitchen cabinets and countertops, while 20 percent of men would prefer to upgrade or replace appliances. And (happily for Moen!) 57 percent of all men and women would be ready, willing and able to replace their kitchen faucet as a DIY project.

Updating a kitchen faucet is a simple job that homeowners can do by themselves, and this one simple change can have a dramatic impact on the entire look and feel of the kitchen.

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Hammer-Swinging Singles