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	<title>Home Improvement &#187; Bathrooms</title>
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		<title>Make your smaller home more livable with a new bath</title>
		<link>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/make-your-smaller-home-more-livable-with-a-new-bath-2009-10-02/</link>
		<comments>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/make-your-smaller-home-more-livable-with-a-new-bath-2009-10-02/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:29:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Author</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[above-floor plumbing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[convert an existing room into a small bathroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new bath]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smaller homes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[up toilets]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/?p=547</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/make-your-smaller-home-more-livable-with-a-new-bath-2009-10-02/><img src=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/bathroom-150x150.jpg class=imgtfe hspace=5 align=left width=100  border=0></a>
(ARA) &#8211; Smaller homes are making a comeback. More families are hanging onto their existing homes and improving these smaller properties, instead of trading up.
Maximizing livable space is how the American Institute of Architects (AIA) describes this new trend, a by-product of a down new-housing and real estate market. Smaller remodel projects – finishing attics [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/adding-a-bath-where-none-exists-2007-08-05/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Adding a Bath Where None Exists?'>Adding a Bath Where None Exists?</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/renovation-of-unfinished-basement-creates-two-bath-home-within-a-home-for-extended-family-2008-02-21/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Renovation of Unfinished Basement Creates Two-Bath, Home-within-a-Home for Extended Family'>Renovation of Unfinished Basement Creates Two-Bath, Home-within-a-Home for Extended Family</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/updating-your-bathroom-cabinets-considering-your-options-2007-04-28/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Updating Your Bathroom Cabinets: Considering Your Options'>Updating Your Bathroom Cabinets: Considering Your Options</a></li></ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/bathroom.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-548" title="bathroom" src="http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/bathroom.jpg" alt="bathroom" width="500" height="390" /></a></p>
<p>(ARA) &#8211; Smaller homes are making a comeback. More families are hanging onto their existing homes and improving these smaller properties, instead of trading up.</p>
<p>Maximizing livable space is how the American Institute of Architects (AIA) describes this new trend, a by-product of a down new-housing and real estate market. Smaller remodel projects – finishing attics and basements – readily achieve that goal, making the home more enjoyable today while increasing its resale value tomorrow.</p>
<p>Nearly 130 million homes are currently in need of work, including adjustments to meet “changing preferences and lifestyles,” such as family members returning home to live, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.</p>
<p>As the owner of a smaller home, you should know that adding even a small bathroom is among the best investments you can make, typically returning 65 percent or more of the cost on resale. In the attic or the basement, you can save money on a bath addition by using macerating plumbing, which requires no digging for under-floor drainage piping.</p>
<p>For this same reason, you can also convert an existing room or even a closet into a new small bathroom to better accommodate guests or even family members moving into your home. No digging for drainage means a quicker, less messy and cheaper installation experience. Macerating plumbing systems can handle the waste from a toilet as well as a sink and a tub/shower. As a result, you can create not just a powder room, but a full bath with all the decorative accessories.</p>
<p><strong>Install an up toilet</strong><br />
Known as an up toilet or above-floor plumbing, macerating technology is the way to go, says East Taunton, Mass., plumber Mike Sikorski, who installs Saniflo brand products. Plumbing waste and water are pumped through small-diameter piping, which can be located inside the wall, right into the sewer or septic tank. Sikorski estimates that this type of system saves his customers $1,000 on average, “and that’s on the low side,” he says.</p>
<p>Mike Vines of Lake Orion, Mich., recently improved his home with a basement upgrade using an up-toilet system. “I couldn’t be happier,” he says of the half bath he added to the family home. “In these tough times, anything you can do to increase the value of your house, the better off you’re going to be.”</p>
<p><strong>Saving money is key</strong><br />
Cost-saving projects like these are among the ways homeowners will most likely focus their future remodeling dollars, according to the 2009 Remodeling Market in Transition report prepared by the Joint Center.</p>
<p>“I believe that the struggling economy has actually helped the smaller profile repair/remodel market,” says Steve Norton, president of M &amp; N Plumbing Supply in Denver. “People are staying the course, and macerating plumbing offers a lower-cost option to breaking up cement.”</p>
<p>If you’re staying put in your smaller home, but want to improve its livability and long-term value, consider adding a bathroom with macerating plumbing.</p>
<p><strong>Tips for a better bath</strong><br />
Here are some tips to make the most of your bathroom addition, even if it’s a small one:</p>
<p>* Maximize space by placing a pedestal sink in the corner along with a mirrored medicine cabinet designed for in-corner installation.<br />
* Plan your new bath so the door won’t bump into anything when it is opened. The National Kitchen &amp; Bath Association (www.nkba.org) is a good resource for planning dimensions.<br />
* Must you have a tub, or will a shower suffice? Putting in an enclosed stall shower saves a lot of space.<br />
* Install grab bars to prevent falls. They’re not just for the elderly. The Home Safety Council (www.homesafetycouncil.org) recommends grab bars in every bath.<br />
* No window? Good lighting can make a room look and feel larger. Recessed lighting is a smart choice for small spaces. Task lighting over the sink is a welcome feature.<br />
* Don’t forget the fan. Installing a fan can help prevent moisture problems, such as mold and mildew.</p>
<p>Learn more about low-cost, above-floor bathroom and grey water pumping systems by visiting www.saniflo.com or calling (800) 571-8191.</p>
<p>Courtesy of ARAcontent</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/adding-a-bath-where-none-exists-2007-08-05/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Adding a Bath Where None Exists?'>Adding a Bath Where None Exists?</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/renovation-of-unfinished-basement-creates-two-bath-home-within-a-home-for-extended-family-2008-02-21/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Renovation of Unfinished Basement Creates Two-Bath, Home-within-a-Home for Extended Family'>Renovation of Unfinished Basement Creates Two-Bath, Home-within-a-Home for Extended Family</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/updating-your-bathroom-cabinets-considering-your-options-2007-04-28/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Updating Your Bathroom Cabinets: Considering Your Options'>Updating Your Bathroom Cabinets: Considering Your Options</a></li></ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>The Guide to a Safe and Stylish Bathroom</title>
		<link>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/the-guide-to-a-safe-and-stylish-bathroom-2009-07-02/</link>
		<comments>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/the-guide-to-a-safe-and-stylish-bathroom-2009-07-02/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:56:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Author</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bathroom safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[safe bathrooms]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/?p=481</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/the-guide-to-a-safe-and-stylish-bathroom-2009-07-02/><img src=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bath.jpg class=imgtfe hspace=5 align=left width=100  border=0></a>(ARA) &#8211; The bathroom, often a place of relaxation and comfort, can also be a dangerous space. Whether your family members are 3 years old or 93, the risk of getting hurt in the bathroom is the same for all ages.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of multigenerational households, consisting of three or [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/how-to-transform-your-bathroom-into-a-luxury-spa-2008-07-25/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: How to Transform Your Bathroom into a Luxury Spa'>How to Transform Your Bathroom into a Luxury Spa</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/easy-as-1-2-3-get-an-upscale-shower-without-remodeling-2007-06-25/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Easy as 1-2-3: Get an Upscale Shower without Remodeling'>Easy as 1-2-3: Get an Upscale Shower without Remodeling</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/a-guide-to-medicine-cabinets-what%e2%80%99s-best-2007-04-29/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: A Guide To Medicine Cabinets: What&#8217;s Best?'>A Guide To Medicine Cabinets: What&#8217;s Best?</a></li></ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-482" title="bath" src="http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/bath.jpg" alt="bath" width="115" height="86" />(ARA) &#8211; The bathroom, often a place of relaxation and comfort, can also be a dangerous space. Whether your family members are 3 years old or 93, the risk of getting hurt in the bathroom is the same for all ages.</p>
<p>According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of multigenerational households, consisting of three or more generations of a family, is on the rise in America &#8212; up to nearly four million. And, creating a safe home that meets everyone&#8217;s needs while still being stylish can be difficult.</p>
<p>So whether it&#8217;s bath time for your little ones or their grandparents, the following tips will help you to create a safe bathroom that is fashionable and inviting.</p>
<p><strong>Tub Lock Down<br />
</strong>Getting into and out of the tub safely is key to a relaxing bath experience for both children and adults. To prevent slipping, easy-to-install and stylish Premium SecureLock Tub Grips from Home Care by Moen are essential in lending a stable, helping hand. The design features an easy-locking lever to ensure a tight fit to most tubs without harming the tub surface. An ergonomically designed handle features an anti-slip grip to provide optimal support and comfort. Plus the innovative design offers easy, no-tool installation and removal in seconds.</p>
<p><strong>Splish Splash I Was Taking a Bath<br />
</strong>Neglecting your tub while it’s filling up may lead to accidental overflow, leaving a hazardous pool of water on the floor. An alarm is the perfect way to alert impatient bathers &#8212; young and old &#8212; when it’s bath time. Designed in many shapes and colors to coordinate with any decor, the bath alarm notifies you when the water has reached its limit. Some models, such as the Primo Bathtub Thermometer, also include a water temperature screen to help keep sensitive fingers or toes from getting burned.</p>
<p><strong>Put an End to Slipping and Sliding<br />
</strong>Slips and slides are fun for outside play on hot days; however, they can easily be created in your bathtub if bath treads are not properly placed on the bottom of the tub. Bath treads provide stability and reduce slippage while showering. These simple strips are inexpensive, come in different, decorative shapes such as stars, shells and fish, and can be found at any home or hardware store.</p>
<p><strong>Shower Safely</strong><br />
Whether it is shower time for toddlers or teenagers, parents or patriarchs, a handheld shower is the perfect option for everyone. Home Care by Moen’s Premium Pause Control Handheld Shower offers safe, easy and luxurious showering options for bathers, whether seated or standing, and features three unique spray settings and a pause setting to create your own unique shower experience. An oversized lever allows for easy-turn spray selection, while the innovative on-handle, push-button pause control reduces water to a trickle for added safety. You’ll be feeling clean and refreshed in no time &#8212; all while remaining safe.</p>
<p><strong>Creative Storage and Decorating</strong><br />
As one of the smallest rooms in the home, the bathroom can become the culprit of disorganization and tripping hazards. To get a grip on organization, install an over-the-toilet shelving unit for extra storage. Try personalizing each individual’s space in the bathroom by designating drawers or assigning colorful bath towels for shower time. Adding bathroom accessories such as towel rings and robe hooks can help coordinate the room and also keep wet towels and clothes off the floor.</p>
<p><strong>Lighting the Way to Style and Safety</strong><br />
Midnight trips to the bathroom are common for many including children, expectant mothers and the elderly. Keeping a night light plugged into an outlet in the bathroom can keep sleepy heads awake and prevent accidents. Some nightlights are motion activated and some come on as soon as light disappears. There are also thousands of different designs for bathroom nightlights &#8212; from mini-chandeliers and lampshades to more simple and conservative styles. Home improvement stores and Web sites such as www.bathroomfurnituredirect.com sell fashionable bathroom nightlights at reasonable prices.</p>
<p>By incorporating these easy tips, you’ll not only help every family member get a grip on bathroom safety, but have a stylish room as well.</p>
<p>For more information on stylish bath safety products from Home Care by Moen, visit www.homecare.moen.com or call (800) 882-0116.</p>
<p>Courtesy of ARAcontent</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/how-to-transform-your-bathroom-into-a-luxury-spa-2008-07-25/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: How to Transform Your Bathroom into a Luxury Spa'>How to Transform Your Bathroom into a Luxury Spa</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/easy-as-1-2-3-get-an-upscale-shower-without-remodeling-2007-06-25/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Easy as 1-2-3: Get an Upscale Shower without Remodeling'>Easy as 1-2-3: Get an Upscale Shower without Remodeling</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/a-guide-to-medicine-cabinets-what%e2%80%99s-best-2007-04-29/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: A Guide To Medicine Cabinets: What&#8217;s Best?'>A Guide To Medicine Cabinets: What&#8217;s Best?</a></li></ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>2009 Design Trends Help Homeowners Relax, Connect and Reboot</title>
		<link>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/2009-design-trends-help-homeowners-relax-connect-and-reboot-2009-06-27/</link>
		<comments>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/2009-design-trends-help-homeowners-relax-connect-and-reboot-2009-06-27/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:30:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Author</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faucets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kitchens]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy savings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[green living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shower]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[showerheads]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/?p=478</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/2009-design-trends-help-homeowners-relax-connect-and-reboot-2009-06-27/><img src=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/design-trends-150x150.jpg class=imgtfe hspace=5 align=left width=100  border=0></a>(ARA) &#8211; Economic uncertainty. A changing political climate. Decreasing consumer confidence. Americans today have a lot to be anxious about &#8212; and the need for escape is greater than ever. No place is this need more evident than in the home.
According to Judy Riley, Moen’s vice president of design, the home is looked to as [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/easy-as-1-2-3-get-an-upscale-shower-without-remodeling-2007-06-25/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Easy as 1-2-3: Get an Upscale Shower without Remodeling'>Easy as 1-2-3: Get an Upscale Shower without Remodeling</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/the-guide-to-a-safe-and-stylish-bathroom-2009-07-02/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Guide to a Safe and Stylish Bathroom'>The Guide to a Safe and Stylish Bathroom</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/is-your-home-in-need-of-a-home-design-stimulus-plan-2009-07-23/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Is Your Home in Need of a Home Design Stimulus Plan?'>Is Your Home in Need of a Home Design Stimulus Plan?</a></li></ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_479" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><img class="size-full wp-image-479" title="design-trends" src="http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/design-trends.jpg" alt="Moen's Level kitchen faucet features a pulldown wand to make everyday tasks easier." width="500" height="333" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Moen&#39;s Level kitchen faucet features a pulldown wand to make everyday tasks easier.</p></div>
<p>(ARA) &#8211; Economic uncertainty. A changing political climate. Decreasing consumer confidence. Americans today have a lot to be anxious about &#8212; and the need for escape is greater than ever. No place is this need more evident than in the home.</p>
<p>According to Judy Riley, Moen’s vice president of design, the home is looked to as the primary place for comfort and serenity during times of unrest. “With decreased entertainment budgets and the growing trend toward entertaining in the home, Americans are spending a lot more time indoors,” says Riley. “Today’s home is for much more than eating and sleeping &#8212; it is an escape from the outside world.”</p>
<p>What are the latest trends in the modern escape home? More importantly, how can you transform your home into a safe haven with both style and smarts?</p>
<p><strong>The Hub of the Home<br />
</strong>Kitchens have come a long way in the past several years, and they continue to evolve more into the family gathering place than ever before. “The kitchen is the center of connectivity for today’s family &#8212; not only physically, but also digitally,” says Riley. “The kitchen is where we socialize, check email, surf the Web, watch television and charge everything from the cell phone to the iPod.”</p>
<p>With the kitchen as the home’s nucleus, it’s important to incorporate design elements that fit this specific purpose. Today’s kitchen lends itself to a more flexible, open plan than ever before, with ample counter space and wiring to support all of the family’s gadgets. It also requires more seating, from high-top bar stools to casual table dining.</p>
<p>As the most frequented space in the house, it’s important to incorporate items into your kitchen that fit your family’s personality &#8212; items that are both functional and fashionable. Moen’s Level kitchen faucet features sleek and contemporary lines that help to make a bold statement at the sink. Plus, the faucet’s pulldown wand simplifies everyday tasks, such as filling large pots, pitchers and vases, making your work that much simpler.</p>
<p><strong>Serene and Green</strong><br />
Like the kitchen, today’s bathroom is taking on a variety of functions, acting as a setting for both wellness and rejuvenation. Consumers aim to achieve a peaceful environment by staying conscious of their impact on the environment and considering potential energy and cost savings in the bath.</p>
<p>Green has become part of the dialogue for homeowners as they weigh product features and functions, with many seeking to understand a product’s impact on the environment before making a purchase. “Although consumers want to do their part to be green, they aren’t willing to sacrifice a product’s performance to do so,” Riley says. “For example, they might want a low-flow showerhead, but not a weak shower experience.”</p>
<p>Moen’s Envi Eco-Performance showerhead takes both of these desires into consideration. With three unique spray settings and a flow rate of 1.75 gallons per minute (gpm) &#8212; 30 percent less than the industry standard 2.5 gpm &#8212; homeowners can have a guilt-free, superior shower experience every day. Modified spray formers increase the velocity of water streams hitting the body, which allows Envi to treat users to a full, satisfying and relaxing spray &#8212; all while saving water. “Achieving both a greener and more relaxing shower has never been easier,” says Riley.</p>
<p><strong>Party Central</strong><br />
Entertaining and dining are coming home this year, and spaces need to be adaptable in order to accommodate multiple functions and different types of get-togethers. Transforming products, such as a dining room table that rises to bar height and expands for entertaining, like the Lexington Zacara Movida Bistro Table, gives an ordinary object a greater purpose. It’s suitable for both family meals and celebrations at the lower height with a leaf extension in place, and can also serve well for a wine tasting, cocktail party or a night of poker when set higher and more bistro-like. “Flexibility within the home allows you to create a variety of moods and settings for entertaining,” says Riley. “The goal is to be able to easily transition from casual to formal, while maintaining a style and comfort level that’s suitable for each occasion.”</p>
<p>What will tomorrow bring for your home? By incorporating 2009’s best trends into your living space, you can ensure it remains your refuge for years to come.</p>
<p>For more information on Moen’s Level kitchen collection or its new Envi Eco-Performance showerhead, visit www.moen.com or call (800) BUY-MOEN or (800) 289-6636.</p>
<p>Courtesy of ARAcontent</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/easy-as-1-2-3-get-an-upscale-shower-without-remodeling-2007-06-25/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Easy as 1-2-3: Get an Upscale Shower without Remodeling'>Easy as 1-2-3: Get an Upscale Shower without Remodeling</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/the-guide-to-a-safe-and-stylish-bathroom-2009-07-02/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: The Guide to a Safe and Stylish Bathroom'>The Guide to a Safe and Stylish Bathroom</a></li><li><a href='http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/is-your-home-in-need-of-a-home-design-stimulus-plan-2009-07-23/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Is Your Home in Need of a Home Design Stimulus Plan?'>Is Your Home in Need of a Home Design Stimulus Plan?</a></li></ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How to Transform Your Bathroom into a Luxury Spa</title>
		<link>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/how-to-transform-your-bathroom-into-a-luxury-spa-2008-07-25/</link>
		<comments>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/how-to-transform-your-bathroom-into-a-luxury-spa-2008-07-25/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:40:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Author</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Acryline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[in-floor heating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[luxury spa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[towel warmers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[warm air hydro therapy system bath]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<a href=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/how-to-transform-your-bathroom-into-a-luxury-spa-2008-07-25/><img src=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/spa.jpg class=imgtfe hspace=5 align=left width=100  border=0></a>
This time last year, families were getting ready for their summer vacations. This year, more and more families are foregoing their annual vacation and putting their money into projects that will enhance the year round enjoyment of their homes. The phrase “don’t move, improve” has even more meaning, today, as we face tough economic times.
If [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><img src="http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/spa.jpg" alt="spa.jpg" /></p>
<p>This time last year, families were getting ready for their summer vacations. This year, more and more families are foregoing their annual vacation and putting their money into projects that will enhance the year round enjoyment of their homes. The phrase “don’t move, improve” has even more meaning, today, as we face tough economic times.</p>
<p>If you plan to invest your extra cash in luxury upgrades the whole family can enjoy all year round, what will you do? Some of the most popular projects among homeowners are: creating a media or home theater room, adding an outdoor kitchen and turning a bathroom in the home into a luxury spa.</p>
<p>Whether you’re just starting out, are empty nesters, or have recently moved your own parents in with you, there’s no better home improvement project than transforming your bathroom into a luxury spa; and it’s easier to do than you may think.</p>
<p><strong>Here are some ideas to get you started:</strong></p>
<p>* Install in-floor heating.<br />
They heat the floors at all the spas, so why not do it in your home too? It’s a project even the do-it-yourselfer can do. Simply remove the old flooring, lay down a special mat with built-in heating elements and connect it to a switch in the bathroom, then install the new flooring over it and enjoy.</p>
<p>* Add towel warmers<br />
Install a towel-rod with a built-in warmer next to the shower. These are readily available in self-contained units that are controllable with a simple switch at your local home improvement store.</p>
<p>* Install a stereo system in the bath.<br />
There’s something very appealing about having the ability to just sit back in the bath and enjoy your favorite music as you soak your troubles away.</p>
<p>* Upgrade the shower/bath to a warm air hydro therapy system bath.<br />
Nothing says luxury in the bathroom better than a warm air massage system bath that is capable of mimicking a massage experience in the privacy of your own bath. When you’re ready to make the upgrade, a good choice is a product manufactured by Acryline USA, which specializes in baths that offer “The Ultimate Bathing Experience.”</p>
<p>New this year is “The Acryline” bath which can be installed in any bathroom that has a 6-by-6-foot space available. It features a channel system that creates water pressure throughout the bath to knead muscle and soft tissue, and an injection system that uses bubbles to stimulate the central nervous system.</p>
<p>“The Acryline” is getting rave reviews for its versatility. Designed to meet a very wide range of bathing desires, the bath allows people to shower elegantly or bathe leisurely, which ever they prefer. Plus, it is capable of offering a different shower and bathing experience for everyone in the family, and was actually designed to meet the bathing desires of all generations.</p>
<p>For young children, just fill the bath deep enough for them to sit and splash in. Parents or grandparents can make themselves comfortable on the built in step inside the bath well while supervising play.</p>
<p>Once the kids go to bed, parents can lower themselves into the same bath and turn on the Ultimate II Control System which allows them to control the intensity of the bath’s massaging injectors. Intensity can be turned up for those who need to ease the day’s tension away with a rigorous massage.</p>
<p>Grandparents, who want a less intense massage but could still benefit from the therapy offered by moving water, can customize the experience for themselves as well. The unit even has a built-in hand rail that makes getting in and out of the bath easy.</p>
<p>The Acryline also changes the orientation of the overflow drain from the traditional inner wall surface to the recessed horizontal surface. This simple change allows for deeper water but no more water usage.<br />
“The Acryline represents our commitment to provide an extraordinary bathing enclosure for people regardless of age or size,” says Scott Tennant, COO of Acryline USA. “It is first a beautiful design with integrated steps to provide ease of entrance and exit for children, adults and seniors alike. And as is true for all our designs, it provides a remarkably comfortable soaking bath and an extraordinary massaging bath in one. It clearly meets the bathing desires of all generations.”</p>
<p>According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2007 Cost vs. Value Report, you really can’t go wrong with an upscale bathroom remodel. Not only will you get to enjoy the results, when it comes time to sell, the update will increase your home’s value.</p>
<p>For more information on the Acryline, or to find the retailer nearest you, log on to www.acrylinebathsystems.com.</p>
<p>Courtesy of ARAcontent</p>


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		<title>Renovation of Unfinished Basement Creates Two-Bath, Home-within-a-Home for Extended Family</title>
		<link>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/renovation-of-unfinished-basement-creates-two-bath-home-within-a-home-for-extended-family-2008-02-21/</link>
		<comments>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/renovation-of-unfinished-basement-creates-two-bath-home-within-a-home-for-extended-family-2008-02-21/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:05:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Author</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basement Remodeling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plumbing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Remodeling]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/renovation-of-unfinished-basement-creates-two-bath-home-within-a-home-for-extended-family-2008-02-21/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/renovation-of-unfinished-basement-creates-two-bath-home-within-a-home-for-extended-family-2008-02-21/><img src=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/lnccommunicationsb8_rgb.jpg class=imgtfe hspace=5 align=left width=100  border=0></a>Savvy Owners Save $10,000 by Using Above-floor Plumbing Technology in Creating Separate, but Luxurious Living Quarters for Older Relatives
(ARA) &#8211; Bathroom additions rank among the most common home improvements, and the investment almost always pays off at resale. But when it comes to basement renovations, the expense and mess of digging for plumbing drainage lines [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img border="0" vspace="3" align="left" src="http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/lnccommunicationsb8_rgb.jpg" hspace="3" alt="lnccommunicationsb8_rgb.jpg" /><em>Savvy Owners Save $10,000 by Using Above-floor Plumbing Technology in Creating Separate, but Luxurious Living Quarters for Older Relatives</em></p>
<p>(ARA) &#8211; Bathroom additions rank among the most common home improvements, and the investment almost always pays off at resale. But when it comes to basement renovations, the expense and mess of digging for plumbing drainage lines makes adding a bathroom financially impractical for many homeowners. As a result, homes with plenty of sub-level promise remain underutilized.</p>
<p>“I see a lot of basements in my work,” says real estate professional Daniel Pitman of Brentwood, Tenn. “Too often, they remain unused, wasting perfectly good space and valuable real estate. Owners just don’t know what to do with them.”</p>
<p>The biggest obstacle, he says, is that homeowners “Don’t ever visualize putting bathrooms down there because there’s no way to drain the fixtures. Adding sump pumps is expensive, and they leave a big hole.”</p>
<p>There is a solution that can help homeowners overcome the basement-renovation hurdle. Above-floor plumbing makes it simple and cost-effective to install a bathroom virtually anywhere in the home without breaking through the floors &#8212; a special advantage when those floors are made of concrete.</p>
<p>The innovative technology has been a European plumbing staple for half a century and is catching on in the United States for basements, tight spaces like closets and attics, and even temporary bathroom additions. That last application is possible thanks to Saniflo whose toilets are as simple to “un-install” as they are to put in, making them ideal for creating short-term living quarters for a nanny, an in-law or a convalescing person.</p>
<p><img border="0" vspace="3" align="right" src="http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/lnccommunicationsb7_rgb.jpg" hspace="3" alt="lnccommunicationsb7_rgb.jpg" />Instead of routing waste and water through a conventional floor drain, Saniflo plumbing moves the effluent to a macerator pump, housed in a small plastic box installed at floor level behind the toilet. The macerator uses a fast-rotating cutting blade to break up waste and toilet paper. The resulting fine slurry is quickly and quietly discharged under pressure through small-diameter, above-floor piping to a septic tank or the sewer system.</p>
<p>“When you offer people an alternative to getting the sledge hammer out and busting up the floor, it’s no contest between above-floor and conventional plumbing,” says John Haas, owner of Central Hardware in Elkhart, Ind., which does an active business in Saniflo products. “Saniflo has been the most successful new product that we have taken on since I came here in 1988.”</p>
<p><strong>Dream come true</strong><br />
Daniel Pitman and his partner Duane Enoch avoided basement excavation themselves by using Saniflo’s technology to help turn a 6,300-square-foot residence in Brentwood into their dream home. Located 15 miles south of Nashville, the house was just right for their needs. Knowing they could easily convert the 2,400-square-foot, unfinished basement into separate, but spacious accommodations for Enoch’s aunt and grandmother sealed the deal. But what made their dream come true was a full-scale, luxury renovation of the lower level, including Saniflo system installations for all their plumbing needs.</p>
<p>Enoch’s aunt and grandmother “have their own entrance, kitchen, and laundry room &#8212; even a fireplace,” Enoch says of the comfortable and well-appointed sub-level “home” designed for his relatives. The ambitious renovation project also included two master suites with toilet, sink and bath/shower installations. A former pipe-fitter plumber and now a home inspector, Enoch says their luxury basement transformation was an ideal improvement for the home.</p>
<p><strong>Dramatic cost-savings</strong><br />
“Initially, we had a plumbing contractor come out and quote us a price to rough in conventional, below-floor drain lines for the bathrooms,” Enoch says. “Going with Saniflo instead probably saved us $10 grand.”</p>
<p>But Saniflo’s appeal went beyond these impressive cost-savings. “We loved the fact that the Saniflo system spared us from having to go through that concrete dust,” adds Pitman, referring to the need to blast through the floor to install traditional plumbing systems. “The mess would have come up to the top floors eventually. That clean-up factor is really the big selling point for above-floor plumbing.”</p>
<p><strong>The Saniflo system had several other factors in its favor as well:</strong></p>
<p>* Concealed plumbing: Enoch liked the fact that the macerating pumps could be concealed behind the wall, an important advantage for the luxury setting they envisioned. “That’s what sold me on the technology. We have access panels in both baths, which makes it easy to get to the macerator boxes.”</p>
<p>* Just like regular plumbing: Because the plumbing is concealed, “Most people don’t even know an above-floor system is any different than conventional plumbing,” Enoch explains, referring to the look and comparatively quiet operation of macerating technology.</p>
<p>* Quick and easy installation: Without the digging to make drainage connections, the couple’s bathroom installations took a little over half a day.</p>
<p>Enoch and Pitman’s expansive residence is typical of this fast-growing upscale community, known for its large lots and serene settings in the rolling hills of middle Tennessee. But unlike many other homes in the area, the Enoch-Pitman dream home is fully utilized from top to bottom for the benefit of all four family members, thanks to the basement renovation with above-floor plumbing.</p>
<p>“I didn’t want them to go to a retirement community,” says Enoch of his grandmother and great aunt. “Now they have family upstairs, and we have family downstairs. And they are absolutely in love with the bathrooms.”</p>
<p>For more information, contact Saniflo at (800) 571-8191. Or visit the Saniflo Web site at www.saniflo.com.</p>
<p>Courtesy of ARAcontent</p>
<hr />EDITOR&#8217;S NOTE:SFA SANIFLO INC. is the only manufacturer of its kind in North America, offering a complete line of macerating toilet systems for residential and commercial applications. Saniflo markets through independent sales agents throughout North America, and the product line is currently available at distributor and dealer locations throughout the United States and Canada.</p>


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		<title>The Neverending Home Improvement List</title>
		<link>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/the-neverending-home-improvement-list-2008-02-19/</link>
		<comments>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/the-neverending-home-improvement-list-2008-02-19/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:56:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Author</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement Ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home Maintenance]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Once a homeowner has dove into the sometimes messy home improvement venture, they may end up finding that there is a never ending home improvement list that is constantly being updated and no matter how much work gets done, the list never seems to shorten. This can sometimes come as a shock to those who [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Once a homeowner has dove into the sometimes messy home improvement venture, they may end up finding that there is a never ending home improvement list that is constantly being updated and no matter how much work gets done, the list never seems to shorten. This can sometimes come as a shock to those who have just purchased their new home as those on their second or third homes will have already been through enough to make them prepared for the unexpected tasks and expenses that come along with a home improvement list.</p>
<p>The home improvement list is something that is often very is often something that does not vary much in terms of what type of things are on it. Almost every homeowner who has purchased a used home faces problems with furnaces, hot water tanks, pipes, updating bathrooms and kitchens, replacing carpets and windows, and the list could go on and on for miles. Basically, when buying a home that has had its share of previous owners, the new owner must be prepared for just about everything to begin popping up on the home improvement list.</p>
<p>How To Manage It</p>
<p>For some, a lengthening home improvement list can be cause for a lot of stress and heartache but if the owner goes into the situation mentally and possibly even financially prepared, they have a much better change at getting through it with minimal bruising. The key is to not let things take you by surprise as in, you basically need to always expect the unexpected so that you are not caught off guard when the furnace gives out and it is twenty below zero outside. Getting organized is the best way to go about being prepared and a good way to be able to keep your senses about you.</p>
<p>Start by making two lists and these two lists should be hung on a refrigerator or somewhere where they are in plain site. The first list is what needs done already and that home improvement list, you will want to place the items in the order in which they must be completed or by urgency.</p>
<p>The second home improvement list is the things that you suspect will go wrong. If the hot water tank is not broke yet, but it looks rather old, you will want to add that to the list, for example. With a little organization, there is no need to panic when something breaks because you already had it on your home improvement list and were already preparing yourself for that.</p>


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		<title>Home Improvement Ideas: Decorating and Remodeling</title>
		<link>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/home-improvement-ideas-decorating-and-remodeling-2008-02-17/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 17 Feb 2008 06:53:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Author</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hanging Pictures]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[There is such a large variety of Home Improvement Ideas, that the list can actually be an unending one.  Improvement could mean decorating, enhancing one aspect of the house like heating or gardening, and improvement could also indicate a luxury aspect that would add comfort to your home.
Heating Ideas
In areas which have heavy winters, it [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There is such a large variety of Home Improvement Ideas, that the list can actually be an unending one.  Improvement could mean decorating, enhancing one aspect of the house like heating or gardening, and improvement could also indicate a luxury aspect that would add comfort to your home.</p>
<p>Heating Ideas</p>
<p>In areas which have heavy winters, it is almost necessary to have heated driveways and patios for melting snow around your home.  It is hardly exciting to get up early in the morning and shovel the snow out of your driveway and patio, just before you and your family leave for work or school.   Heated roofs might sound like a luxury item, but in very cold areas it could be a wise investment.</p>
<p>If you like to barbecue and want to do it the whole year round, here is a home improvement idea to do it.  An indoor gas grill can do the job. If you are in the process of remodeling your kitchen or installing a new one, a gas grill can be added to the appliances in your kitchen, it resembles a cook top.  It can run on natural and propane gas and you can eat healthy barbecued food as often as you want, even if it is snowing outside.</p>
<p>Decoration</p>
<p>For decoration purposes there are many Home Improvement Ideas like changing doorknobs. Or there is premade fencing available too, which looks decorative and easy to install. Some of them are eco-friendly and maintenance free.  They are resistant to damage from rain and insect attacks and last long.</p>
<p>Additional ways of Home Improvement Ideas could be to create your own wine cellar or remodeling your bathroom with new fittings and heating ideas. The garden also plays an important role in Home Improvement Ideas, as it can be redone and remodeled even with low expenses. The blooming bulbs in winter or the garden sit-out in summer can be planned according to the seasons.</p>
<p>Green Remodeling</p>
<p>Green remodeling is one of the latest Home Improvement Ideas. People nowadays are trying to incorporate recycled or reclaimed materials into their homes.  This can actually be done for anything in the house like flooring, furniture or the siding outside the house.  To give your house a rustic look and a unique feeling you could give your house a barn look or an old carriage house look. For this, antique barn wood siding is available and it could add the rustic perfection to your house that is difficult to imagine in the modern living spaces that we live in today.</p>
<p>Safety Gadgets</p>
<p>In a home there are always many aspects that need to be changed and improved in course of time. We can just take some new Home Improvement Ideas for replacing windows, doors or siding, installing home alarm systems and many more aspects. Safety gadgets need good maintenance and replacement like alarm systems, smoke detectors or fire alarm systems. It is advisable to have good maintenance contracts for such systems as one of the Home Improvement Ideas.</p>
<p>Basically home improvement is not only for your enjoyment and comfort, but it also increases the overall value of your home.  Many tips for Home Improvement Ideas<br />
are available, especially if you want to do it yourself.  Do-It-Yourself Manuals are available too, as hiring a contractor can be expensive.</p>


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		<title>Adding a Bath Where None Exists?</title>
		<link>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/adding-a-bath-where-none-exists-2007-08-05/</link>
		<comments>http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/adding-a-bath-where-none-exists-2007-08-05/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Aug 2007 06:28:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jennifer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plumbing]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<a href=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/adding-a-bath-where-none-exists-2007-08-05/><img src=http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/lnccommunicationsb6_rgb.jpg class=imgtfe hspace=5 align=left width=100  border=0></a>A Plumbing Pro Shares His Secret Weapon for Managing Challenging Additions
(ARA) &#8211; If a bathroom addition is on your project list, consider a Saniflo above-floor plumbing system &#8212; especially for a basement remodel or any other room where you don’t have accessible, below-floor plumbing.
That’s the advice of Mike Coletto, an independent plumbing, HVAC and electrical [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblSubHead" class="SubHead"><img border="0" vspace="3" align="right" src="http://home-improvement.savvy-cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/lnccommunicationsb6_rgb.jpg" hspace="3" alt="lnccommunicationsb6_rgb.jpg" title="lnccommunicationsb6_rgb.jpg" /><strong><em>A Plumbing Pro Shares His Secret Weapon for Managing Challenging Additions</em></strong></span></p>
<p id="Body"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lblArticleBody">(ARA) &#8211; If a bathroom addition is on your project list, consider a Saniflo above-floor plumbing system &#8212; especially for a basement remodel or any other room where you don’t have accessible, below-floor plumbing.</p>
<p>That’s the advice of Mike Coletto, an independent plumbing, HVAC and electrical contractor in Illinois who has more than 15 years of residential plumbing experience. “Above-floor plumbing is a super alternative to conventional plumbing and a great problem-solver,” he says. “The technology is ideal for tricky additions and makes installing a basement bathroom a snap.”</p>
<p>Saniflo introduced “macerating,” above-floor technology in Europe more than 50 years ago, but it’s been available in the United States only since the late 1990s. With this unique plumbing system, you can skip the mess and high cost of plumbing renovation, and install a spare bath anywhere you choose –- even below the sewage line -– without pounding through concrete. The fixtures can be installed right on top of finished floors: in a basement, attic, garage or even inside a closet or a spare bedroom.</p>
<p>Coletto comments on his top reasons for recommending Saniflo:</p>
<p>* Flexibility – “Above-floor plumbing can go where traditional plumbing can’t. My customers choose the location, rather than having construction dictate it. Since no digging is needed, it’s even possible to add a temporary bathroom for a short-term sick room or in-law suite. It’s a great value.”</p>
<p>* High quality – “I like the way it can handle multiple fixtures, including the sink, tub-shower and toilet. And it can work up to 12 feet below and as far as 150 feet away from a septic tank or sewer line.”</p>
<p>* Smart solution – “With conventional plumbing, I have to dig up concrete floors to install a drain. Instead of routing flush water through a floor drain, Saniflo plumbing moves it with a small pump housed inside a plastic box that is located behind the toilet (either in front of or behind the wall). Inside the box, a fast-rotating blade quickly liquefies waste and toilet paper, which is then released under pressure through small-diameter piping to the sewer or septic tank.”</p>
<p>* Convenience – “No special maintenance is necessary. The macerating mechanism is sealed for life.”</p>
<p>* Saves space – “It’s a great choice for bathrooms installed in tight spaces, like underneath a stairway or inside a closet.”</p>
<p>* Saves time and money – “Opening a hole in the concrete can add three days to a bathroom addition. Without all that digging, I can install a bathroom in about half a day. And my customers don’t have to deal with jackhammers and the mess of blasting through floors.”</p>
<p>For more information about Saniflo above-floor bathroom systems, contact Saniflo at (800) 571-8191. Or visit the Saniflo Web site at www.saniflo.com.</p>
<p>Courtesy of ARAcontent</span></p>


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