SHELBURNE INN, Seaview, WA. - Review - hotel review

* "Eat, drink, and be merry--of tomorrow take no heed." The words inscribed on a beam at Shoalwater Restaurant in the Shelburne Inn are almost as delicious to contemplate as the aromas-- the cinnamon scent of baked goods destined for the inn's renowned breakfast, or dinner offerings like seafood chowder and baked oysters. For a century, the Shelburne has drawn visitors to the small beach town of Seaview, a short walk from the expansive sands of the Long Beach Peninsula. Rooms, up stairwells and charmingly tucked away, have a timeless appeal with antique armoires, floral decor, and claw-foot tubs. Some offer garden views, others overlook the street.

ESSENTIALS: Thirteen rooms and two suites. From $109. 4415 Pacific Way; (800) 466-1896 or www.theshelburneinn.com. Shoalwater Restaurant: lunch, dinner; (360) 642-4142.

Best salvage - The Sunset Strip - salvage for home and garden - Brief Article - Directory

Like to go treasure hunting? Here are some of our favorite places to get down and dirty searching for salvage bargains for home and garden.

SEATTLESAN FRANCISCOSanta Fe Wrecking. Go for: Salvaged building materials of every type--claw-foot tubs, chandeliers, gates, doors, and door hardware. What we found: A turn-of-the-century paneled door of Douglas fir, $45. 1600 S. Santa Fe Ave.; (213) 623-3119.LOS ANGELESDENVERBoeing Surplus Retail Store. Go for: Industrial-strength castoffs like metal office furniture, tools, and sheet metal. What we found: Aluminum tubing for wind chimes, $1.60 per pound. 20651 84th Ave. S, Kent; (425)393-4065.Tarnished Treasures. Go for: Inexpensive finds with a sense of humor--schoolroom chalkboards, butcher blocks, flowerpots, and birdbaths. What we found: Tin sap buckets from Canada, $7.25 each. 3060 N. 16th St.; (602) 277-5251.Architectural Artifacts. Go for: Period plumbing fixtures, grand claw-foot tubs, mantelpieces, doors, and windows. What we found: A 2- by 4-foot sheet of stamped tin reclaimed from a ceiling, $20. 2207 Larimer St., (303) 292-6012.PHOENIX

Boeing Surplus Retail Store. Go for: Industrial-strength castoffs like metal office furniture, tools, and sheet metal. What we found: Aluminum tubing for wind chimes, $1.60 per pound. 20651 84th Ave. S, Kent; (425)393-4065.

Coming home

Marcus Merritt insisted on a clawfoot tub for the master bath.

Marcus Merritt, who works for an insurance company, arranged a transfer to its Overland Park office. They had lived in Johnson County before moving to Dallas."We lived with our tape measures," she said.In addition to the 2,500 square feet on the main floor, the walkout basement offers space for two more bedrooms and a play area for grandchildren. Their daughter lives in Abilene and their son in Olathe.A sunflower marks the garden like a flag. All the sunflowers in Merritt's yard are volunteers, she said, from seeds dropped by birds that had stopped at her feeder.He looked over several home plans with the Merritts and put together a floor plan that was just what they wanted.The Capital-JournalHome: Just what they neededThe gardens around the house are just getting started.The Merritts chose Tony Billau, of Rustic Custom Log Homes of Kansas, to build their house. Billau also builds conventional structures."We wanted a lot of outdoor space," she said."They'll be pretty in the fall," Merritt said.The home design gives the Merritts the perfect mix of space and function, Jeannie Merritt said. A recent weekend brought 19 people to the house for a cookout, and a half dozen stayed overnight.When Jeannie and Marcus Merritt were ready to come home, they made sure it was exactly the home they wanted to come to.It wasn't an overnight move. When they could get away from Dallas, they spent weekends getting the land cleared. They also cleaned up the pond on the property and stocked it with fish.A chair and ottoman are tucked in next to a bookcase in the master bedroom, offering a place where the reader's light won't disturb the sleeper.The kitchen gives her plenty of space for one of her favorite things --- canning. A vegetable garden on the east side of the house provides fresh produce. Jars of pickles are lined up on the kitchen counter. Cucumbers are still coming on strong, then the zucchini will be ready.By Lisa SandmeyerThe alcove over the front door is a perfect place for Jeannie Merritt to show her love for sewing.The result is a 2,500-square-foot home with a large kitchen that has a generous space for the dining room table, master and guest bedrooms and baths, and a sewing room that can double as sleeping quarters when all seven grandchildren are visiting."The wood-burning stove we just love," Merritt said. It was the main source of heat during the winter.She didn't want a formal dining room, and she didn't want space that went unused.The Merritts brought the dining room table with them from Texas. Its two leaves allow it to accommodate 12 diners.The way the grounds are designed leaves them between 7 and 8 acres to mow. Beyond that are trees.A wood-burning stove sits in front of a backdrop of stacked limestone that runs to the ceiling. It isn't just decorative; it is also a firewall."We can be outside pretty much any time of the day and be out of the sun," Merritt said.Decks run along three sides of the house, one just off the kitchen, making a convenient place for dinner as the sun sets on the opposite side of the house.While the sewing room was at the top of Jeannie Merritt's list, her husband put a clawfoot bathtub at the top of his. Also in the master bedroom is a reading area with an easy chair and ottoman, placed so the reader's light won't disturb the sleeper.She also helped design a tile traffic pattern that leads from the kitchen around the perimeter of the great room, so muddy feet stay off the carpet as they head to the bedrooms, bathrooms or basement.In March, she planted blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and grapes.Billau thought it odd that she didn't want smooth finished walls, Jeannie Merritt said. She asked for a knock-down treatment.Billau recommended Karen Ingenthron at Personal Interiors in Topeka to help with some of the details.Next to the house are more formal garden areas with coleus and hostas. Sunset red maples are getting a start in the front yard."We just knew we wanted to live in the country," Jeannie Merritt said. They found 45 acres near Perry in Jefferson County and started what became a five-year plan."That was fun for me," she said, adding, "It was a lot of work.""It's a great house for just having people over," Merritt said.The complementing fixtures elsewhere in the house came from Lowe's.See HOME, page 18"There were so many things we didn't want in a house," she said.The shop was the first structure on the ground. That was home as work progressed on the house and grounds.She tried planting fruit trees, but deer rutted them out of the ground.Country living: When couple decided to move back to Kansas, they created a space that was just what they neededThe house has conventional heat and air-conditioning, but Merritt said the whole-house fan is the main cooling unit. The AC doesn't have to come on until the temperatures and humidity reach dog-day levels.Merritt's favorite part of the house is her kitchen. The light fixture over the dining table was a junk-shop find. She paid $5 for the frame and added the glass globes.The Merritts took their time studying home plans and looking at model homes in the Dallas area, where they were living, Jeannie Merritt said.For instance, Merritt had wanted wood floors in the kitchen. Ingenthron pointed out that ceramic tile would hold up better in a home on a gravel road in the country.The Merritts put blinds in the bedrooms, but windows in the rest of the house offer an unobstructed view of the natural surroundings."We finally just gave up," she said.Construction on the house started in February 2001, and they moved in in December.The vegetable garden has been spared from rabbits, though.Merritt had the responsibility of choosing the accessories, from door handles to cabinet pulls to bathroom fixtures.Their home away from home for the first two years was a treehouse. (It is still there; it's big enough for a full-size mattress or four sleeping bags.)The center of the floor in the great room is carpeted. A tile perimeter leads from the kitchen to the basement and bathrooms."I love it --- it hides anything," she said. Because of the texture, nail holes simply disappear.

See HOME, page 18

Bathroom Interior Design

Any advice or guide on the interior design of a bathroom should be based around one simple concept: keep it simple. Rooms inside of a home should have functional aspects, and if one room is designed for very specific functions, it is the bathroom. There have always been many jokes about the "throne" of a home, but the honest fact is that creating a visibly appealing and comfortable bathroom will inspire positive feelings to its users.

When designing a bathroom's tiling, take the time to shop around through different hardware, decoration and craft stores. The more expensive of the different types of tiles should have durability, aesthetic value, and a non-porous surface. It should be easily cleaned and sanitized, and it needs to install easily without any expensive or caustic glues or cements. Get creative also; all tile in bathrooms need not be made of porcelain.Is it a possibility to center your bathroom around a favorite theme? The answer is most certainly "yes." Keeping in mind that "less is more" while choosing a decoration pattern that will coordinate with the rest of the home will open many design possibilities. Finding a color or pattern inspiration from simple or small artwork may be the first step toward creating a bathroom masterpiece.After the design and production of a space-conscious and attractive bathroom have been completed, focus on decoration accessories to bring out personality and individualism. The bathroom is the most sacred room of any interior, and placing prized possessions on the walls or shelves is an interesting way to bless this special room. Use courageous ideas and do not be afraid to take chances, but above all: keep it simple.

After the design and production of a space-conscious and attractive bathroom have been completed, focus on decoration accessories to bring out personality and individualism. The bathroom is the most sacred room of any interior, and placing prized possessions on the walls or shelves is an interesting way to bless this special room. Use courageous ideas and do not be afraid to take chances, but above all: keep it simple.

Remodeling a Bathroom

So you've decided that it's time to update your bathroom. Whether you're planning to sell your home or you've simply decided your family needs a more updated space, there are a few important decisions you should make before you start.

If your bathroom seems too small, you might not need to tear out a wall. Maybe you just need a pedestal sink instead of a cabinet one. If you're more than ready to just tear the whole thing up and start from scratch, you'll have to make some decisions about what's going to replace the current fixtures. Take some measurements of your tub, sink and toilet, the replacements you're considering, and the size of the room. Keep in mind that just because you want a claw foot bathtub doesn't mean you should have one- your bathroom may be too small for anything but a tub that fits closely into the wall. Draw some diagrams, and move things around until they seem to fit. But keep in mind that the layout of a bathroom is fairly limited. The water pipes only come out of the walls in certain places, so unless you're planning on tearing up the walls and the plumbing, your toilet and shower will probably stay where they are, even if you replace them with new ones.Safety in the bathroom is also a consideration. Consider handles around the tub and a non-slip floor covering specifically designed for bathrooms. Many older bathrooms are lacking in safety features, and that's a down side when it comes time to estimate a home's value.First of all, consider what needs to go (no pun intended). Are you remodeling because all of the fixtures- tub, shower, toilet and sink- are outdated? Or is there a specific area of the bathroom that doesn't work for you? Maybe the floor is outdated or peeling, or the mirrors are in inconvenient places, or you'd like to knock out a closet or install some shelving. Before you start, pin down the exact things about your bathroom that need work. Don't immediately assume you need to overhaul the entire room. You may be able to save yourself big bucks by starting with the problem areas.Making decisions about what new items to buy should be the easy part. Look into purchasing a low-flow toilet. If you haven't had a new toilet in awhile, you will be amazed at the savings on your water bill once a new, water-saving model is installed. This is also a huge plus to potential buyers, who will love the idea of saving on utilities each month.

Remodeling your bathroom is going to be a job that requires some forethought. Whether you're doing it to sell the home or for your family, it's best to take space, safety, and convenience into consideration. You spend an awful lot of time going in and out of your bathroom. It might as well be comfortable!

Nothing to Fear But The Toilet Itself

As Harvard freshmen, Stephen Stromberg, Mike Donahue and Matt Ferrante lived in a typical cinder-block dorm. Now sophomores, they're bunking in a room with a notable history, its status denoted by a wall plaque: Franklin Delano Roosevelt lived in this room, 1900-1904. The Adams House suite, traditionally a professor's office, is housing students for the first time in decades. Above the original fireplace is a framed, handwritten letter from FDR to his parents; in the bathroom the sophomores use the original claw-foot tub and antique pull-chain toilet, which flushes with Niagara-like fury. "It's sort of a bizarre feeling to bathe where FDR bathed," says Stephen, a political junkie. Regarding the toilet, Matt says, "Knowing that we sit where he sat is, uh, interesting." They're... Read the full article with a Free Trial at MyWire. Premium Content Partnership | MyWire provides an in-depth online archive library of reference works.





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TOP OF THE HEAP

It the edge of a rutted, pot-holed parking lot on the outskirts of Greensboro lies a rusting 16-foot-long steel beam as wide as a picnic table. Nothing distinguishes it from the rest of the junk littering the yard surrounding D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co.'s office, some of it salvaged from buildings the 44-year-old company has demolished, some retrieved from industrial customers the company serves as a recycler. In one corner is a pile of aluminum car and aircraft parts. Out back is a stack of seats from Fulton County Stadium, once the home of the Atlanta Braves. A skiff's fiberglass hull rests nearby, as does a clutch of claw-foot tubs. But the beam isn't scrap. It won't be cut into chunks and sent to a steel mill to be forged into joists and girders. It's a hunk of history and will stay where it is, as much a memento as a pair of bronzed baby booties or a smudged golf ball from a hole-inone.

In addition to it and Raleigh-based Griffin Construction, the family owns Demolition and Asbestos Removal Inc. in Greensboro.In the early days, most of the money came from what was called salvage and today is known as recycling. D.H. learned that after starting the company almost by accident in 1959. While working on an assembly line in the Lorillard cigarette plant, he bought an old church on an acre lot with $600 he borrowed from his father-in-law. Tearing it down, he used what he salvaged to build himself a house.Another holdover from the early days is a commitment to do small jobs. The Griffins will tear down a bungalow as readily as an office building. A house "can be a great fill-in job," taking only a few hours, David says. Plus, a guy who wants a house demolished today might wind up a big-time real-estate developer tomorrow.That same ethic - resell and recycle still animates the company. Chat with D.H., and he doesn't want to tell tales about New York. He'd rather talk of South Square Mall in Durham, which Griffin Wrecking is demolishing. He boasts that the company will grind up the brick and asphalt and sell it for reuse as a base material for parking lots. Drywall will go to a reprocessor in Sanford.He made his way to Bovis' trailer and, thanks to his connections, got hired as the company's demolition consultant. He began attending the twice-daily meetings to coordinate the cleanup and to toss out ideas on how to proceed. Within days, he started bringing up his people - in all, about a dozen - to assist.Imagine his reaction when David said he wanted to go to one of the nation's strongholds of organized labor to see if he could help out. "I didn't encourage it. I wasn't sure he ought to go." What could his son accomplish in a town where he knew no one? Plus, though D.H. loves to work - he's a man without hobbies - he had just returned to the office after having his knee replaced and was hobbling on a walker. On Wednesday, Sept. 12, David promised he'd be back the following Monday if he hadn't found a role. Reluctantly, D.H. agreed.The next morning, David, his wife, Donna, and their two girls and baby boy piled into their Chevy Suburban and drove 10 hours to New York. On the way, he worked his cell phone, gathering names of Bovis Lend Lease employees at the site and offering his services. (The Griffins had worked with Australia-based Lend Lease, one of four contractors that New York City hired for the cleanup. Though its U.S. headquarters are in New York, the company has offices in Charlotte and Raleigh.)terrorists slammed two airliners into the twin towers - he wanted to help. But he had something most people didn't: expertise. He knew how to extract debris from dangerous sites.He learned the value of living cheap in the mid-'70s. Back then, business was so good that he owned a plane, and his pilot would fly him around the South to bid on jobs. He sold it in 1974, the year he nearly went broke. He underestimated two big jobs - a 1,200-foot pier in Norfolk anda foundry in Louisiana - and his mistakes cost him $1 million. The company pulled through, and he switched back to flying coach. These days, David insists that employees fly low-cost Southwest Airlines when possible. Tickets that cost more than $500 require his approval. Nobody, not even the Griffins, flies firstclass.Back then, he was a guy who worked for his dad. "I know," he still likes to joke, "who the D.H. in D.H. Griffin is." He'd been given what his father had built with a ninth-grade education and the instincts of "the best natural-born horse trader I've ever seen," says Paul Ferguson, who manages the wrecking company's Atlanta office. The World Trade Center job gave him the chance not only to prove himself but, in a way, best his old man, who wouldn't tackle it. "His daddy casts a big shadow," says Norbert Hector, president of D.H. Griffin Construction Co., another of the family's businesses, "and he's always had his dad to back him up. Then he goes to New York by himself, and he excels."Together, they employ about 600 and have about $200 million of annual sales. They're all profitable, but the Griffins won't say how profitable. The Griffins also are partners in Kernersville-based Atlantic Scrap and Processing Co., which owns four metal-recycling plants in the state, and have a stake in a Knoxville, Tenn., junkyard.He's equally frugal in his personal life. He drives a Lincoln, but he and his wife have lived three decades in the house he built with bricks from a Wachovia building he tore down in Charlotte. The den has a stained-glass window from a church he tore down. His company's headquarters was built from reused bricks. The front door came from a McDonald's, a little Golden Arches badge still affixed to the frame.A third tenet grew from his daddy's dislike of unions: Griffin Wrecking largely hews to the South to avoid them. In the early days, D.H. did a few jobs in union towns. He'd bring his machines, and the unions provided the manpower. But his experiences weren't good. He considers unions wasters of time and money. Griffin Wrecking recently turned down a chance to bid on the demolition of Veterans Stadium because of the prevalence of unions in Philadelphia.David, who's now 34, has been demolishing buildings since he was a teen-ager, when his father, despite teachers' grumbling, pulled him out of class to take him out on jobs. This was his chance to show people, including those in the company, how well he'd learned those lessons.They checked into a hotel in midtown Manhattan, a few miles north of the Trade Center. The next morning, he set out for the site, hardhat under his arm and respirator slung around his neck. His workman's attire got him past the first checkpoint, but National Guardsmen at the second demanded to see his pass. He didn't have one. He ambled off to the side and waited. When Red Cross workers arrived with coffee, he slipped past. "For the first 30 seconds, my heart was pounding. I was sure I was gonna hear them shouting for me."A city inspector told him if he got a license he could tear down an apartment downtown. The job paid $1,700. "I saved everything out of that building," he says. "I saved the pipes and made clothesline poles with them.David Griffin Jr., vice president of the family-owned company, had it hauled from the ruins of the World Trade Center. Griffin - everyone at the company calls him David to distinguish him from his father, known as D.H. - drove to New York City Sept. 13, 2001, and wound up staying seven months. He was drawn by the same notion that sent people flocking to blood banks after

He made his way to Bovis' trailer and, thanks to his connections, got hired as the company's demolition consultant. He began attending the twice-daily meetings to coordinate the cleanup and to toss out ideas on how to proceed. Within days, he started bringing up his people - in all, about a dozen - to assist.

Cache rewards

You've spent hours at the store, searching for that one special item to give your home decor a unique touch.

DECORATING ON A DIMEALLIED RESTAURANT & BAR SUPPLYCustomer Suzanne Drumm was there recently, "poking around to see what's new." She and a friend have been here at least a dozen times and have bought a leather sofa, chair and custom drapes. "I've found the merchandise wonderful and prices cheaper than the Springs," Drumm said.STUFF559-1220Owner Karen Jones, who decorates model homes and has won numerous awards for her work with the Parade of Homes, says she can offer low prices because the rent on the warehouselike space is so cheap. She started the shop in her basement for her own customers and eventually opened this version for the public.We've scouted the territory and come up with some out-of-the-way places to inspire you. Our searches turned up green clawfoot tubs, almost new purple sinks and trendy kitchen counter tops at four bucks a foot.And happy hunting.Colorado SpringsDon Aguilar was rummaging around with his tape measure recently in search of screens and heater vents for a rental apartment. "I'm a steady customer," he says. "There's all kinds of good stuff here."But never fear. There is plenty of other stuff you can lug home to create your own piece of garden heaven.We spied an ornate Asianstyle lamp for $80, a stunning sunflower print for $524 ($75 less than the price advertised in a trendy catalog); wrought iron grates converted to wall hangings for $60; a 6-foot-tall by 6-foot-long oak display case for $718; a side table with a checkerboard printed on top for $70; and rustic candle holders for $8.Rows and rows of toilets are lined up like works of art, and there's a designated lumber yard were used wood in good condition can sell for less than half of retail. There were sliding glass windows for $5; old pedestal sinks, $125; a green clawfoot bathtub, $300; countertops, $4 a foot; toilet tank tops, $10; and the proverbial kitchen sink, $75.And then you notice that everyone in the checkout has one, too. Even worse, when you get it in your living room, your neighbors and friends join in a rousing chorus of "oh, yeah, I have one just like it at home."You might not be as lucky as the guy who purchased a huge, heart- shaped spa and trucked it to his home in Mexico, but there is always something fun or useful to be had here.667-0840The store, which opened a year ago, is run by Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit group that uses donated goods and volunteers to build homes for the needy.That day, the 12,000-square-foot warehouse had shelves stocked with Olympic paint for $5 a gallon, doorknobs for $2.50, 8-foot pieces of molding for 50 cents, wallpaper for $3 a roll, electric light plates for 15 cents and antiquelike glass tulip light fly- strikes for 50 cents.There's an amazing array of salable salvage scattered across the four acres of this demonstration garden center. But the military missiles fashioned into tiki torches and the rocket nozzles that serve as planters really stand out."If you can't find it, I can't sell it," Rick says.209-1366 or 520-9463Kim Martin started this business in 1993 out of sheer desperation.This 4-year-old business is the place to come for designer- quality furniture and accessories at below-retail price.Palmer LakeNow she has 7,020 square feet of space for "junque and stuff," including a supply of 100-year-old bricks going for 75cents apiece, an arty tree stump, glass blocks, screening, glass shower doors and brass hanging fixtures covered with splattered paint.In an office cozily heated by a wood stove, you'll find manager Rick -- who uses only his first name, even on his business cards. He'll help if you are looking for something special.120 W. Cucharras St.Park in the dirt lot, then pick up a clipboard and a card at the door to write down your selections.Not everything here is for sale. You can't buy the rusted tin alligator or the humorous green crocodile sculpture or the dancing muses, no matter how much you covet them. Ash refuses to part with them because they add ambience to the cafe and grounds.578-8668You don't have to own a restaurant to shop here. If you have a kitchen, you're coming to the right place.But actually, you won't need much direction. For a salvage yard, this one has the flotsam nicely organized.219-0733On a recent day, customer Don Schmalz was looking for tin to fix up a horse trailer. "I come here a lot. I like the prices and the odds and ends.""Every time I finished cleaning up my house, my husband would bring some more junk home," she says with a laugh.The day we visited, we saw cast iron sinks that make perfect planters, an assortment of tractor and other farm equipment wheels, cogs, spindles, old pots, wind chimes, tree grates, slabs of rock and balusters. In warmer weather, you can stroll through the themed demonstration gardens and purchase a variety of native and unusual plants.506 W. Cucharras St.504 E. Pikes PeakKIM'S OLDE JUNQUE ANDThe store raises funds for Habitat projects by selling donated and overstocked items for the home. On any day you can find homeowners and contractors shopping for nails, paint or light fixtures.Out back is where you can find the larger appliances: huge restaurant freezers, professional stoves with 12 burners, ice makers big enough to sleep in and more modestly sized refrigerators that could squeeze into most home kitchens. The prices for some of the behemoth appliances can be thousands of dollars, but still about half of retail price, depending on condition.One word of advice: Be careful not to trip over the appropriately scruffy junkyard dogs and cats lazing around.Maybe it's time to shop off the beaten path, a tactic that can be creatively exhilarating -- and even save you money.Manager John Veteto is often amazed at the items that are donated. His favorite is four complete, packaged solar hot water heating systems.Who wouldn't want one of those professional roller things that keeps hot dogs turning as they cook? Or a single counter seat in bright purple? Or a giant, glistening, pearlized pink clam bowl, perfect to fill with ice and shrimp? Or maybe one of those twirling pie case holders that you could fill with granny's apple pies or your knickknacks.Use them for their intended purpose or, even better, invent something new out of others' discarded junk. Used window casings as picture frames. Old doors for desk tops. Wrought iron for wall hangings. Army missile cones for planters. Let your imagination be your guide.They represent the clever side of owner Larry Ash and his family, who see other people's junk as potential objets d'art for the back yard.1006 S. InstituteThe easiest way to find the place is to take Colorado Avenue west from downtown, turn left on Walnut Street and make a right on Cucharras. The salvage yard is on the right.701 County Line RoadHILLSIDE ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGEReSTORE473-2150411 S. Wahsatch Ave.The shelves groan with many new items as well as used kitchen tools from restaurants that threw in the towel, and from chefs who wanted newer cookware. A quick inventory recently turned up Chinese dragon motif plates, coffee grinders, butcher tops, earthy looking brown mugs for a buck, assorted spoons ($4 a dozen), classic restaurant saucepans, 24-count muffin tins ($12) and bakers racks."There's a treasure trove here," clerk Doug Dawson says.The warehouse is set up like a showroom, filled with luscious Tuscany and French country furniture, and unusual knickknacks.The easiest route is to take exit 163 off I-25 and go west 2.2 miles to the big green 701 County Line Road sign. Turn left into the parking lot. If you cross the railroads tracks, you've gone too far.USE AGAIN BUILDING MATERIALS"The only thing we don't have are left-handed spoons," Dawson says.

Don Aguilar was rummaging around with his tape measure recently in search of screens and heater vents for a rental apartment. "I'm a steady customer," he says. "There's all kinds of good stuff here."

Lee County entrepreneur making splash with tubs

SHANNON - When Michael Mask gave up farming soybeans and corn in this Lee County town south of Tupelo, he wanted to do something entirely different. So, he bought a Tub Magic franchise to install ceramic tile and resurface porcelain tubs. He went to Salt Lake City for training and came back home to make the business his own.

"There was no money to be made in farming, but I grew up here and wanted to stay here," he said. "In Salt Lake City, they taught me what I needed to know, but it was up to me to make it what I wanted it to be.""Sometimes we have to hire someone part time for sanding, but we touch every one of the tubs," Michael Mask said. "I didn't want to hire a bunch of people. The quality won't be the same if we hire more people.""My satisfaction is in knowing we have a good product and did our best," he said. "Our goal is to make it look as old as possible."The slipper model just came out this year. He may add other products along the way, but for now is content to craft the product line he has because the positive feedback keeps rolling in from satisfied customers."It got to the point I couldn't find enough tubs or missing parts to restore them," he said. "I started making these tubs with acrylic on the inside that looks like porcelain and fiberglass on the outside that looks like cast iron. People think they're completely cast iron till they pick them up."The tubs come in four colors - classic white that accounts for 90% of sales, bone, biscuit and black. The tubs are made in three styles - a five-foot traditional rolltop; a five-and-a halffoot rolltop; and a five-and-a-half-foot slipper model. The feet can be painted the same color as the tub or finished in a choice of brass, nickel, chrome or oil rubbed bronze finishes. Mask says 60 different combinations are possible.The tubs weigh about 150 pounds versus 600 pounds for the old cast iron tubs, and they cost about $1,400 compared to $2,000 to $7,000 for the cast iron versions.The tubs have a steel plate in the bottom for strength. The old-fashioned style clawfeet are attached to this plate for strength and durability. The tubs have been tested to support more than 11,000 pounds. "You don't have to worry about them falling over. The feet are on there," he said. "These tubs will be here as long as people use the right cleaners nonabrasive. The use of abrasive cleaners will cause the tub's shine to leave over time."Restoria is a family business. His son, Chad, a 23-year-old Mississippi State University graduate works with him. His mother, Mary, handles the paperwork and son, Tim, an employee of Maris, West & Baker Advertising Agency in Jackson, takes care of marketing and sales. The other family member, wife Kathy, is not involved in day-to-day production but is pondering how she can get a Restoria tub installed in her own bathroom."I've always done hands-on things, and I like this better than farming," he said. "I just make tubs and sleep. That's about all I do."The refinishing business went well for 16 years and is still in existence. However, Mask's entrepreneurial spirit kicked in as genuine old clawfoot bathtubs became more difficult to find and customers asked for reproductions of the traditional tubs. He persevered until he perfected a fiberglass mold mimicking an old tub and a 10-Step process to create tubs that simulate the antiques. Restoria Bathtub Company was born in 2001.The tubs are crafted, not manufactured, because all of the work is hands on. Mask even signs every specially printed tag that goes with each tub that leaves the workshop. Production is up and down from month to month but is usually 60 to 80 tubs each month. He says he wants to stay at that number to retain the integrity of the product. Each tub requires two to three hours of handcrafting, and the Masks have 10 tubs in production at one time.

"I've always done hands-on things, and I like this better than farming," he said. "I just make tubs and sleep. That's about all I do."

Sexuality: Wing It with Your Heart

Snow sparkling in a sun slice between the high rises on Fifth Avenue brought to mind our great Blizzard of the Century in '93, a day I cradle as the first day I made love. Not that I was a virgin at 37. But I was single…and single-breasted.

Tender enough from the surgery and chemotherapy to struggle with dragging a bundle of logs home to my fireplace from the Union Square market in the accumulating slush, I felt like a wounded bird, frail and delicate in a city full of the urgent and driven. They had no way of knowing I was intent on building the perfect nest for mating. Scones in the oven, a claw-foot tub full of fragrant water, and Annie Lennox on the stereo….

Dying is easy; it's living that scares me to death ….

Tub & shower fixtures

The most common tub is a white rectangle with a finished front that is designed to fit within three walls of the bathroom. However, many other shapes and styles are available in a wide range of prices. Standard size for tubs is 60" wide, 30" deep and 14" high.

Bathtub liners are an easy way to remodel a bathroom without tearing out the original tub and replacing the floor or wall tiles. The liner should feature a non-porous surface for easy cleaning and be made of high-impact material to guard against dents and cracks. Tub liners, which come in a wide variety of colors and styles, are attached with adhesive.While low-flow showerheads help conserve water, they are also more susceptible to sudden changes in shower temperature since there is less water pressure being exerted. There are two types of anti-scald valves. Pressure-balanced valves have a high-temperature limiter that provides consistent water temperatures despite pressure fluctuations in the supply line.Drop-in tubs are designed to be installed within a tile or solid-surface surround. Old-fashioned clawfoot tubs are freestanding. Whirlpool and deep tubs are designed for soaking and relaxation. The tubs can be separate or incorporate a shower combination.SAFETY CONSIDERATIONSA continental shower is a versatile wall and hand shower combined. Quality brands feature on-off flow control built into the handle, a brass push-button diverter valve that permits instant switch from showerhead to hand shower and a 6' flexible hose and hang-up bracket. It can be attached to existing shower arms.Scald sensors are also available that shut off the water supply when the temperature reaches a certain level.Massaging showerheads use water pressure forced through a diverting valve to create one or more pulsating water actions. In most cases, users can vary the amount of pulsing pressure or force to their liking. Massaging showerheads can be hand-held or permanently mounted. While all offer massaging action of one or more kinds, they can be converted to conventional shower action.Tubs are typically made of cast iron, acrylic or fiberglass. Cast-iron tubs are the most durable and do not stain or scratch easily. Acrylic is a better insulating material so the water takes longer to cool, and its lightweight and flexibility make it a better choice for larger tubs. Fiberglass tubs are easy to install but are more apt to fade and scratch. Tub and shower combinations are typically made of reinforced fiberglass with a polyester finish.STANDARD SHOWERHEADSMASSAGING SHOWERHEADSTo prevent accidental scalding, faucets can have adjustable settings to restrict how far the handle can move toward hot. One knob controls both water temperature and flow in single control units. This allows water temperature to be set permanently. Water can be turned off, then on again, without changing the temperature setting.CONTINENTAL SHOWERSOther bath safety considerations include grab bars for next to the tub or toilet, slip-resistant tub bottoms, shower seats or transfer seats, toilet guardrails and rounded edges on vanities.Most standard showerheads have full-range, adjustable sprays and feature self-cleaning rims and swivel ball joints. They are typically made of chrome-plated brass or plastic. Plastic models are less expensive but also less durable. All new models must meet the federal standard of 2.5 gallons per minute, although some deliver a more satisfying shower than others.Tub/shower models are available that automatically provide consistent water temperature regardless of changes in water pressure. Advise contractors to check local plumbing codes for compliance requirements. Homeowners can also lower the temperature of their water heater for further protection.

Other bath safety considerations include grab bars for next to the tub or toilet, slip-resistant tub bottoms, shower seats or transfer seats, toilet guardrails and rounded edges on vanities.

Ace Hotel Portland

Check into the new Ace Hotel Portland to fully appreciate the city's take on urban chic. The blocklong historic property has been renovated into a 79-room magnet for youthful creative types, perfectly positioned downtown on the edge of the Pearl District--just steps from the famed Powell's Books flagship. An ethos of reuse and local pride is embedded in the retro details: original murals by homegrown artists, Pendleton wool blankets on platform beds, apple-crate stepping stools next to claw-foot tubs, and vintage vinyl records on loan from the lobby. Make like a native and linger at the adjacent Stumptown Coffee Roasters cafe, known for its superlative brew. Then hop on one of the hotel's fleet of shiny Dutch bicycles and enjoy September's crisp sunshine--before the inevitable rains set in. From $95; www.acehotel.com/portland or 503/228-2277.

Returning home -- Avenues residents lovingly restore 1912 house to

David Richardson and his wife, Amy Wadsworth, and their 8-year- old, John, live in an old home with a new kitchen. Earlier in their married life, when they had a houseful of children, Richardson and Wadsworth were thankful that someone had added on to the 1912 home, building bedrooms under the attic dormers.

This weekend a thousand visitors will walk through the Richardsons' home as part of the Utah Heritage Foundation's 37th annual Historic Homes Tour. The tour promises a stroll through 100 years of Avenues history, featuring homes in a variety of styles by some of Utah's most prominent architects. The oldest home on the nine-home tour is a 1865 Gothic cottage. The newest is a 1948 Modern.If you go ...What: Historic Homes TourWeb: www.utahheritagefoundation.orgPhone: 533-0858But Richardson believes his next project will be to remove the stair railing and balustrade. He wants to replace them with something more appropriate, something in the Craftsman style. The stairs were added at the point in history when the bedrooms were added to the attic. Before that, attic access was through a fold- down stairway above the kitchen.As part of the remodel, Richardson had kitchen moldings milled to match the wood in the dining room. The new tile floor in the kitchen, by American Olean, is almost an exact match of the original tile floor in the bathroom. That tile was uncovered under several layers of tile and linoleum.The doors and windows are original to the house, Richardson is pleased to report. He thinks one of the worst things remodelers can do is to remove the original windows.Where: Tour headquarters are at Ensign Stake Center, 135 A St.One of Richardson's first tasks as a homeowner was to strip the wood on the living room ceilings. As he worked on the wood, paint thinner splashed on the gray fireplace and he discovered beautiful green tile underneath that paint.Though they were glad for the extra bedrooms when they bought the house, Richardson imagines the original owners would have been fine with putting all their children in bunk beds in the one bedroom where his son now sleeps. After all, he says, it is a large bedroom.And as for the babies in the family, he knows where they slept -- in a nursery off the master bedroom. Richardson and his wife use the nursery as a walk-in closet.But now the older kids are grown and gone. For the most part, the family only uses the 1,500 square feet of the main floor. They live almost entirely in the original home; a living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms and one bath -- with a claw-foot tub.The home is part of the Cobble Knoll development, planned and executed by Frank Whitney. Richardson explains that running water didn't come to the Avenues until 1907 or 1908, so their house had to have been among the first to be built with plumbing included.When they purchased the house, however, the front door was missing its central glass pane. Some time ago the window had apparently been broken and replaced with plywood. Richardson commissioned Beehive Glass to construct a new, beveled pane.About a week before it went on the market, probably at the advice of the Realtor, he imagines, the previous owners put several coats of white enamel paint on the coffered ceilings. "They even painted the oak floors," he says.E-mail: susan@desnews.comSince they moved in 16 years ago, they've redone the bathroom twice and the kitchen once. They took the kitchen down to the bare studs, uncovering a window in the process. They also opened up an interior wall, making what had been a linen closet in the hall into a glass-fronted pass-through cupboard. As a result, their new kitchen is much lighter than the original one would have been.Richardson wonders why any family of three would ever need more space than this. He and his kin couldn't be more comfortable in their Craftsman-style bungalow. An architect, construction company owner and preservation specialist, Richardson has done much of the restoration himself.When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.But he knows it was a nursery originally. It was designed to hold not one, but two, cribs, he explains. Just because it was 1,500 square feet doesn't mean his home couldn't have held a large family, quite comfortably, back in 1912. Then, as now, he says, "This is a good place to bring up children."There is more to be done on this house, Richardson notes. The entryway ceiling still needs to be stripped, for one thing.How much: $20

E-mail: susan@desnews.com

PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY

1. Strom Plumbing By Sign of the Crab (Booth #B135) offers a wide ranging product line that includes cast iron pedestal bathtubs such as the Peninsula, a 5' Dual Cast Iron Tub on a Pedestal. The full line includes cast iron pedestal or clawfoot tubs, acrylic pedestal or clawfoot tubs and reproductions of antique originals in a variety of finishes.

3. The Estate Collection from Wellborn Cabinet (Booth #B1005) is a new brand of high-end custom cabinetry that features all-wood construction with fi nished interiors and premier hardware. The collection includes a wide range of door styles and features a new line of inset doors. The inset cabinetry offers both concealed and barrel hinges in multiple finishes with both beaded and non-beaded frame options.Circle No. 247 on Product Card12. The Single Combo sink from Dawn Kitchen & Bath Products (Booth #B3756) is accessorized with a removable plastic divider, which creates a dual workspace for maximized functionality in the kitchen. The sink is made with 16-gauge 304 stainless steel and features sound-deadening properties.16. This kitchen, presented by Groupe Cabico (Booth #B2722), displays the company's custom cabinet versatility by combining frameless and inset construction and painted and stained finishes.24. Vetrazzo's (Booth #B4271) newest standard color, Floating Blue, combines recycled clear bottle glass and "blue float" architectural glass. The 100% recycled glass is combined with a non-resin cement binder to create an environmentally friendly countertop.Circle No. 246 on Product Card13. The new micro collection of architectural woodcarvings from Art for Everyday (Booth #C2015) includes posts, corner posts and corbels. Two of the posts, shown here, are made from North American hardwoods and characterized by clean, contemporary lines. They can be fi nished with any number of stains and paints for a distinctive look.Circle No. 225 on Product Card10. White River Hardwoods (Booth #C1301) has expanded its Adornments for Cabinetry and Furniture Collection and the Acanthus Collection with a new piece designed specifi cally for range hoods. The corbel, which measures 5-1/2''W�10''H�18''D, features intricate hand-carved scroll work. It is available in maple and cherry.Circle No. 244 on Product CardCircle No. 239 on Product Card27. VT Industries (Booth #B2752) provides three premium profi le edges that combine the distinction of a postformed edge with premium laminates. The company also provides a range of quartz countertops.Circle No. 226 on Product Card20. Native Trails (Booth #B444) has taken a new slant on the traditional farmhouse - or apron front sink - with Zuma. The sink's design is very angular, and features handcrafted style. It is made from recycled copper and is available in copper and brushed nickel finishes.Circle No. 240 on Product CardCircle No. 243 on Product Card14. Blanco (Booth #B4322) has added two 1-3/4 Performa undermount sinks to fi t 36" kitchen cabinets. Made of 18-gauge stainless steel, the sinks feature a satin polished fi nish, rear drain placement and sound deadening insulation. The large bowl measures 15''W�20''L�10''D, and the small bowl is 15''W�15-1/2''L�9''D.Circle No. 248 on Product Card15. Brizo's (Booth #B1134) Sensori Custom Shower System includes an expanded showerhead offering with an option for either wall-mount or ceiling-mount heads in every one of the company's design categories: Traditional, Euro, RSVP and Vesi. The system, which replaces the fi rm's Total Escape shower system, also includes multiple showerhead options, body sprays, body jets and handshowers.11. Architectural Glass Effects (Booth #C2660) provides textured architectural glass and antique mirror for a variety of uses, including cabinet glass fronts, shower doors and enclosures, window panes and other decorative uses. AGE has recently added beveling and sandblasting to its multiple inhouse services.Circle No. 235 on Product Card4. The Aventos HK-S from Blum (Booth #B420) is the latest offering in the Aventos line of lift systems for kitchen cabinets. The Aventos HK-S is a stay-lift system for small cabinets, working with openings of 7-3/8'' to 14-3/16'' high and door weights of 4.6 lbs. to 11.2 lbs.22. The Allure Vanity Collection from Sagehill Designs (Booth #B1320) sports a casual, contemporary style. The vanities featured in the collection are scaled and proportioned for the smaller bath environment.23. Sunny Wood's (Booth #B1320) Vintage Estate Collection of kitchen cabinets is crafted in the classic tradition, according to the company. The cabinets are completed with a hand-applied, multi-step finish.Circle No. 233 on Product CardCircle No. 238 on Product Card21. The Chelsea Suite of knobs and pulls from Notting Hill Decorative Hardware's (Booth #B4111) King's Road Collection features a fl ourish of olive branches. Handcast of solid pewter, the decorative hardware is offered in Satin Gold, Antique Pewter and Dark Brass finishes.Circle No. 241 on Product CardCircle No. 251 on Product Card18. A sleek, contemporary style vanity in ebony-stained bamboo - the Princeton - is the latest addition to JSI Cabinetry's (Booth #B535) all-wood kitchen and bath cabinetry collections. The Princeton vanity is ergonomically designed at 34-1/2'' high and 21'' deep, and features solid bamboo face frames, slab doors and matching drawer fronts.Circle No. 250 on Product CardCircle No. 232 on Product CardCircle No. 229 on Product Card19. On the Lite-Touch Q one-burner ceramic electric cooktop from Kenyon Appliances (Booth #C2540), the waterproof touch control is imbedded into the textured black glass, which features muted graphics and a polished beveled edge.Circle No. 249 on Product CardCircle No. 242 on Product CardCircle No. 237 on Product Card9. The Lansen Edge line from Karran USA (Booth #B1520) features undermount stainless steel sinks that can be installed in both laminate and solid surface countertops completely seamlessly. The sinks offer optimal sound-deadening properties.5. Caprice from Fairmont Designs (Booth #B734) is a contemporary vanity that displays sleek elegance, with horizontal straight oak grains, an espresso fi nish and specially designed stainless steel fi nished pulls. Soft-closing drawers and doors are featured. The collection includes sizes from 24'' to 72'' with matching granite/marble tops, as well as a petite 21'' version with china top.Circle No. 227 on Product Card17. The Moovit Double-Wall Drawer System from Hafele America Co. (Booth #B3621) features a contemporary design and 110-lb. weight capacity. Moovit's interior drawer walls are not curved, but rather have a 90-degree angle, which optimizes drawer space and allows for use of a wide range of cutlery tray and drawer inserts. It is available in the company's Champagne finishCircle No. 245 on Product CardCircle No. 234 on Product Card2. With Color Expressions 09, CaesarStone (Booth #C3222) adds eight colors to its line of over 40 countertop shades. The collection includes: Smoky Ash, Chocolate Truffle, Buttermilk, Organic White, Black Rocks, Dusty Stones, Metallic Black and Basalt Black.25. Fagor America's (Booth #C1130) 36'' Black Crystal Decorative Hood features a contemporary look. Crafted from glass and stainless steel, it features four speed settings and seamless touch controls.Circle No. 228 on Product Card26. Atlantis Outdoor Kitchens (Booth #B3204) offers weatherproof Perma-Panel engineering and custom wood designs in teak and cypress for the outdoor kitchen. Its polymer construction means that Perma-Panel will not warp, crack or deteriorate over time, according to the company, and it is specifi cally engineered to be used outdoors. Teak and cypress doors are available over Perma-Panel cabinets.Circle No. 236 on Product Card

Circle No. 251 on Product Card

Kentucky Showroom Celebrates Open House

Erlanger, KY - Signature Hardware, a local plumbing products and hardware retailer, has marked the opening of a retail showroom in Erlanger, KY.

The 6,300-sq.-ft. showroom spotlights the offerings of the plumbing, hardware and lighting retailer.Featured items include traditional clawfoot tubs, stone bathtubs and sinks, copper bathtubs and air baths, solid brass faucets, door hardware, floor registers, bathroom vanities and related products.

Signature Hardware is a decorative plumbing, hardware and lighting retailer established by northern Kentucky natives Mike and Matt Butler. The company, founded in 1999 under the name Clawfoot Supply, remains family owned and operated, and employs more than 55 people.

Why You Should Use Bath Rugs In Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is not only a functional room, it's also a place where we spend a great deal of time creating a relaxing in an atmosphere we've create why we soak in the bubbles or have a long relaxing shower to unwind from our busy day. Candles, decor, and flooring all play an important role in creating the atmosphere. Here's why you should use bath rugs in your bathroom.

Change the colorCalgon take me away. We've all seen those commercials where a woman is relaxing in her spa tub while the worries of the day disappear. Why not transform your bathroom into a luxurious spa where you can get away from it all. Imagine that deep plush pile bath rug in a rich jewel color, scented candles burning, lights dimmed, soft music playing while you soak away your days worries in your favorite scent. Under $75.00 and your room will be made over.The most important thing to remember when choosing a bath rug is that your bathroom deserves the same attention you would give to any other room in your home. Start by deciding what you want to accomplish in your bathroom, then choose colors and go shopping for the right bath rug.A Spa At HomeChange the lookOf course there are few things that are important to keeping bath rugs sanitized and looking fresh and new. Be sure to wash them regularly and don't choose rugs are susceptible to mold or mildew because of the high moisture content in a bathroom. Make sure the rug you choose has dyes that are firmly set. A rubber backing is great to prevent rotting and slippage. But remember a rubber backing will be ruined by the dryer so you'll need to hang to dry. If the rug does not have a rubber backing you can easily attach a piece and the benefit is it can be removed when you wash it.Make your bathroom cozyBathroom floors can be slippery when they get wet. Bath rugs can give you a level of safety when stepping out of the tub or shower while at the same time playing an important role in your room decor.Is getting the kids to brush their teeth, wash up, or have a bath a chore. Are they constantly fighting you because there are other things they'd rather do? Then make your kid' bathroom a fun place to visit. Decorate with bath rugs from their favorite characters, add a matching shower curtain, some toothbrushes, and cups. You can even buy soaps that follow the theme. The only fight you'll have on your hands now is who gets the bathroom first. Under $75.00 and you'll have a kid friendly bathroom.Modernize your bathroom or turn it into an antique haven. You can do a total character change. Choose rugs that a fun and funky or traditional Victorian for your room. Make a few other small changes to your decor and for under a $180.00 your bathroom can have a total makeover. Excluding the purchasing of a claw foot tub or jet spray tub.Think outside the box, try not to choose those traditional bathroom rugs everyone sell. Rather try something different like a braided rug, a Sisal rug, or an oriental rug.Most bathrooms have either linoleum or a tile floor which can look very good but is can be cold to the feet. A bit of a shock after crawling out of the tub or shower. Bath rugs can be strategically placed in front of the tub or shower and compliment the existing flooring while providing a warm and soft place for your feet.If you are tired of the look of your bathroom and you want to give it a make over you can use bath rugs to help. If your walls are a neutral color your job is easy. Choose bath rugs that fit your new color scheme, buy some complimenting towels and accessories and in under $150.00 your bathroom will have an entire new look. You can even find full sets in your local department stores that come with everything to complete your whole bathroom.Bath rugs are an affordable method of giving your entire bathroom a face lift. Just add some accessories and everyone will think you've been working really hard!Fun for the kids

Bath rugs are an affordable method of giving your entire bathroom a face lift. Just add some accessories and everyone will think you've been working really hard!

Vintage Bathtubs - Timeless Quality That Won't Go Out of Style

oing vintage has never gone out of style. Indeed, it has always been a fabulous choice for the discriminating consumer. Vintage accessories and fixtures can involve just about any part of the house. Getting to the bathroom in particular, vintage bathtubs have become an ultimate choice for many people. Who can say "no" to antique and vintage items whether for aesthetic beauty, or practical function?

One can hardly go wrong with a vintage clawfoot bathtub for the home. There are many styles of faucets and other accessories with a vintage look that will perfectly complement your choice of vintage tubs.These days, it seems modern designs and styles are continually being introduced to the market. There is the continuous development of styles and designs that incorporate the theme of the modern society and the personal tastes of the individual. However, even though the latest and greatest products have their place, "old school" methods and technology have gained resurgence in popularity in recent years, sparking an interest in the classic items of yesteryear.In conclusion, vintage bathtubs have a timeless quality that won't go out of style any time soon, and are sure to stay popular for many years to come.The bathroom is one of the most personalized parts of the home. For some people, it even serves as a sort of sanctuary where one can relax in a long soaking bath or an invigorating shower. This is the reason why most people are willing to spend a good amount of money just to get their desired bathroom a certain look and feel.

In conclusion, vintage bathtubs have a timeless quality that won't go out of style any time soon, and are sure to stay popular for many years to come.

Beautiful, Elegant Bathtubs that Spruce Up any Bathroom

Bathtubs have become an important necessity of our daily life for many reasons. Who hasn�t enjoyed the comfort of soaking in a nice, hot tub at the end of a particularly hard day. They give washrooms a bathrooms a complete look; after all without them they look vacant. Bathtubs come in different sizes, color, shapes and material.

Bathtubs are of different types and have different names according to their shape and appearance. Clawfoot, pedestal, slipper and whirlpool bathtub are some of the names of different types. Clawfoot bathtubs are designed in such a way that a person can almost sleep inside it while taking bathe. On the other hand, whirlpool bathtubs are much bigger in size with more space. All of these bathtubs come in different shapes like Oval, rectangular, round, triangular etc. Bath tubs are usually made up of 2-3 materials, but it is always advised to buy a bath tube which is easy to clean and does not get affected by different types of soaps and chemicals.

When looking to buy bath tubs some things to consider drain location, size, shape, color, material as they will help in picking out a perfect bathtub of our particular taste and if in case it gets damage after few years then bath tub refinishing can be easily performed. A perfect bathtub not only increases the beauty of the washroom but also enhance the pleasure of bathing.

The House That Became Part Of A Family (Part Three)

That October morning dawned bright and sunny, seemingly an omen of good things to come. It was moving day! We were actually moving into our �new� home. Since we were doing the job without professional help, friends had gathered and we began to load the furniture onto a rented trailer, one of the open air ones with slat sides. When the trailer was filled, we proceeded to load the remaining boxes, including canned goods and food from the refrigerator into waiting cars and began the caravan to our home for at least the next few years. We had decided this might be the �starter� house that would allow us to build up equity so we could move to something a little nicer in maybe five or six years. Somehow that idea got lost along the way over the ensuing years, and forty-five years later, we are still living in that starter house.

When it comes to a bathroom design or remodel, using a professional will not only save you endless time, but it can potentially save you a lot of money as well. No one else knows the products they work with better than a professional, let alone how they should be properly installed and maintained. Performance is extremely important and no one wants to worry about whether their fixtures and appliances are going to be installed to work correctly. Peace of mind, after all, is priceless.Another problem was frozen water lines. Who needed ice cubes? The well was just off the side porch, and the water pump was in the milk house that was attached to the house but wasn�t heated. The pipes were exposed to the cold air. After having friends bring us enough water to get through the next day, we bought electrical heating tape to keep pipes from freezing. We struggled through that first winter knowing that our poor house had some problems that needed fixing, and fearful that our oldest child might be in trouble. He had suffered from bronchitis and tonsillitis every winter from the time he was just three months old. We also struggled through that winter knowing that another baby would become part of the family in June. Smart baby, he knew better than to come into the world during that first winter in our house.As spring approached we made the decision that storm windows would be our first investment. Fortunately, we were contacted by a company looking for houses in our area to be used as demo houses for their windows. We agreed with their very favorable terms and had the windows installed as quickly as possible. What we had also failed to realize was that there were no screens for the windows and there would have been no way to open the windows in the summer unless we purchased the old pull-out screens for every window in the house. We also realized that the heating bills were going to eat us alive if we didn�t do something to cut down on heat loss. Our oil bills that first winter were horrendous. Hopefully the storm windows would help.Completely modernized whole shower systems with multiple jets, temperature controls and individual memory options can be installed to suit your personal needs. If a bath is more your style, whirlpool bathtubs, nostalgic claw foot style tubs, or the larger and more spacious garden tub may be the option for you. Perhaps both will find their way into your design, and why not? With professionals available to make sure your quality products are installed correctly there is no reason not to pamper yourself.Adding to our confrontation with reality was the chill that began to permeate the house as temperatures dipped below freezing. As the wind blew, the windows rattled and allowed that cold air to slip right in. And the upstairs was almost as cold as my refrigerator. We put both children in the same bed so they would stay warm. I made them sleep in hooded sweatshirts and under a ton of blankets. I had made the mistake of placing a thermometer on a dresser in their bedroom. One night I checked it before putting them to bed and it read 35 degrees. That was the night we pulled mattresses downstairs and slept on the floors of the two front rooms. We never dreamed the upstairs would get that cold. Reality almost caused us to suffer from hypothermia.Although today's bathrooms offer all the functionality of designs past, they are no longer stark and minimalist. One look in the showroom and you will see many style choices from classical to contemporary to modern. There are also many choices in the type of products. Indulge in such things as rain shower heads, saunas, tankless water heating systems, and surround sound systems, to name a few.As our friends helped unload and carry our furniture into the house, not one mentioned the horrible linoleum that was cracked, split and pealing off the kitchen floor. They didn�t laugh at the congoleum pealing off the walls of the kitchen, and no one made disparaging remarks about the horrible purple and silver wallpaper in the living room. They were being kind. After all, to repay them for their help, we had offered to spring for pizza after the move was finished. A few of the men used some rather harsh language when they had to carry beds, mattresses and box springs up the narrow stairway and lift them up over the banister at the top because the turn was two steps from the top and blocked by walls. The only thing that came up missing was an old card table that probably flew off the open trailer. Two of the rooms, one downstairs and one upstairs, were left empty as we didn�t have furniture to fill them. This did provide storage space for boxes that I couldn�t unpack because there was no place to put the stuff, minor things like bedding and towels, books and the kids� toys. The room upstairs also became a pseudo closet. It had pegs on the wall that could be used to hang our clothes.

We also realized that our oldest son had not been sick that winter. He had gotten through it without a single attack of bronchitis. Sleeping in the cold upstairs had toughened up his system. That�s when I decided that this old house had been good for our family and wanted us to stay. That very first winter, as difficult as it had been, made us aware that the house was more than just a building; it had become our home, a part of our lives. It needed us to give it a family with love and laughter and we needed it to keep us safe. That �old house� had begun to worm its way into our hearts.

Author: Pat Stelzer

Don't Settle For A Mundane Bathroom Remodel

Walking through the door you notice beautiful tile in rich, deep tones beneath your feet. Then you see polished, elegant fixtures, and warm, gentle, ambient lighting. Have you walked into a posh resort with a top of the line spa? No, you've simply entered your own modern bathroom designed with your style and your needs in mind.

For your new bathroom, whether it's a new construction or a bathroom remodel, contact a professional. They can help make your vision become reality. And should the need arise, you can also call them for help with water heaters, drain cleaning, and sump pumps. All of your needs can be addressed by the professionals.With the coming of summer, we learned to enjoy some of the blessings of our old house. We hadn�t realized that one of the gardens was a strawberry patch. We had strawberries with every meal. The house stayed cool in the heat of the summer because of the twelve inch thick brick walls and the two maple trees that shaded the front yard. Our dog had his own private dog house when we converted the old �out house� with the half moon design in the door into his private quarters. Our second son and third child decided to make his appearance in June, so by the end of summer we were forced to put the third bedroom into use. Other than paint a few of the upstairs rooms, we had no assets with which to start any major remodeling projects. We had envisioned taking out the center wall between the two front rooms making one large front room by using a steel I-beam for support. How fortunate that we didn�t have the money. The wall is still there and is still twelve inches thick, as is every wall in the original part of the house.When it comes to bathroom remodels, the sky is the limit. In fact some plumbing contractors also provide total, upscale bathroom makeovers. Long gone are the days of the water closet where function is the only driving force in design. Today, aesthetics, functionality, indulgence, and personal taste rule the design and remodeling of the modern bathroom.Other than a few inconveniences like only one electrical outlet in some of the rooms, everything was fine for the first few weeks while the nice weather held. But when temperatures began to drop, we began to experience an influx of uninvited guests. Mice. From the last of October until the middle of January we caught twenty-two of the furry visitors. Some like the ones that got caught in the wastebasket and couldn�t get out we simply returned to the wild. We even found one in the old claw foot bathtub one morning. He was in a panic because he couldn�t climb the slick sides, and we were in a panic trying to figure a way to get him out of the tub and out of the house. We managed to trap him in a bucket and toss him outside.We also realized that our oldest son had not been sick that winter. He had gotten through it without a single attack of bronchitis. Sleeping in the cold upstairs had toughened up his system. That�s when I decided that this old house had been good for our family and wanted us to stay. That very first winter, as difficult as it had been, made us aware that the house was more than just a building; it had become our home, a part of our lives. It needed us to give it a family with love and laughter and we needed it to keep us safe. That �old house� had begun to worm its way into our hearts.

For your new bathroom, whether it's a new construction or a bathroom remodel, contact a professional. They can help make your vision become reality. And should the need arise, you can also call them for help with water heaters, drain cleaning, and sump pumps. All of your needs can be addressed by the professionals.

Author: Nick Messe