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Home Furnishings/Furniture/Questions Answered by Expert Dave Coil
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Staining Rip Rap in drainage ditch | 12/4/2011 |
| Q: Can a concrete stain be used to soften the color of new rip rap? I would be looking for a product ... A: Yes you can do that way, but know that the dilute of a garden hose sprayer will make it only ... | |
| how to set depth of bulb in a pot light | 2/28/2011 |
| Q: In my kitchen I have several pot lights. A couple of the light bulbs are set deeper than the others. ... A: There are adjustments within the can area. One adjustment lets you raise and lower the bulb to the ... | |
| Re-painting acoustic ceilings | 2/14/2011 |
| Q: Should I hire a company to paint the acoustic ceilings or is it easy enough for a do it yourself ... A: There is a special roller cover for this application. It is large and called a split roller. It ... | |
| Travertine Bathroom Vanity CRACKING | 1/25/2011 |
| Q: We recently purchased a beautiful bathroom vanity that has a roman vein cut travertine top. It ... A: There is a manufactured Travertine, and a natural stone. The stone has many imperfections...and ... | |
| home furnishings | 9/25/2010 |
| Q: My fiance and I have just moved into a building, with a basement that is in dire need of finishing! ... A: Unfortunately, I am not that good with websites...I always screw up...can get to the pic I want. ... | |
| tempur-pedic mattress moving | 5/6/2010 |
| Q: I have to move a queen-sized deluxe tempur-pedic mattress soon to a new location. I did not keep ... A: The shrink wrap is a good idea...but now put some cardboard...on both ends...with hand holds cut ... | |
| research question | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: It's not really a decorating question in particular but I am studying interior decor and have ... A: This is a sticky question. As the builder...we dont regard the architect or the engineer very ... | |
| stair railings colors | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: we are renovating our living room / front entrance and need advice on updating our stair railing ... A: Wow. You have a mixed palet of color opts. I like the black spindal idea. If you have the ... | |
| door gaps | 11/4/2009 |
| Q: how much of a gap should be between the bottom of an interior door and the flooring (carpet/vinyl). ... A: The REAl answer will alarm you. If you have forced air heat/air, you need to have enough space to ... | |
| refacing an old brick fireplace | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I have an old brick fireplace that i am thinking about refacing. With some help from my two year ... A: My first concern is the looseness you are talking about. You want a very SoUND surface. If anything ... | |
| Living room furniture placement | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: Our's is a 12'X16 ft space with a wall on one 16' ft side having two french windows. The other 16' ... A: It was a poor design of the builder...and it gives very little options. You will either spread out ... | |
| Reweb aluminum lawn chair | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: I have 3 perfectly good, old, well built lawn chairs - not the folding kind. The webbing is ... A: My dad would do this because of the strength of the OLDER materials. If you can find a web that is ... | |
| kitchen fixtures | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: I'm about to purchase a new sink and faucet for our kitchen. We are having a brown and tan granite ... A: I will recommend that you seek a very high end stainless steel. The better the product, the darker ... | |
| bathrooms | 8/14/2009 |
| Q: My question is about matching clawfoot tubs with pedestal sinks and toilets. My situation is that I ... A: Kohler and American Standard have some similarities in design. In some instances Home Depot and ... | |
| staining furniture | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: I stained a previously stained bookcase a week ago and it still isn't dry. What can I do now. The ... A: You have 2 choices. Remove the stain and start over, or use a sanding sealer to seal the ... | |
| hey | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: sorry about the question, i make it simple, during discussion with client what is the problems ... A: I get a call of work to be performed. I show up, discuss the issues related, and the process I will ... | |
| furniture arrangment | 11/28/2008 |
| Q: I need advice with furniture arrangement in an odd shaped room. The whole room measures 37' by ... A: I get the feeling that you need to "center" your living area, vs focal point arrangement. You have ... | |
| painting kitchen cupboards | 10/26/2008 |
| Q: My mom painted her kitchen cabinets. They are particle board type. One day later, her paint is ... A: The prep was a light sanding to remove any residue or previous gloss. It may now require a greater ... | |
| sofa decoration | 9/23/2008 |
| Q: "I have recently shifted in a appartemnt my living room is 12'6" x 18'2".I have arranged my ... A: I would put Deep blue into the room somewhere. The room is very bright..a good thing...so bring in ... | |
| new construction windows | 7/16/2008 |
| Q: My contractor has switched from Harvey windows to Kasson Keller: Saratoga 3000 series for all fixed ... A: Keller is a fairly new company in the West...I have not heard of in the East. As long as you get a ... | |
| finishing an uneven surface | 7/13/2008 |
| Q: What should I use to fill in and cover an uneven surface? I have a small round side table, about 2 ... A: For a flat surface, you will need to create a dam as such to reach the elevation of the highest ... | |
| Drawer lock installation | 6/24/2008 |
| Q: I have a Geneva 4 drawer upright file cabinet. I would like to be able to lock it. There is no punch ... A: A locking file cabinet is one that has a single lock in the top that uses a lever action to lock all ... | |
| ??What color to paint my Living Room?? | 6/23/2008 |
| Q: I'm deciding what colors to paint my walls in my living room, but i want to paint them so they could ... A: There is a new movement toward pastels. You can go farther from white that usual. A good ... | |
| do i really get a bargain purchasing furniture in NC? | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: without an interior designer fee on top). The furniture is made by a manufacturer called Hickory ... A: Keep in mind,,,shipping....seconds.... manufacturers defects....markups...all kinds of complications ... | |
| Mattresses | 3/4/2008 |
| Q: My husband and I are upgrading from a standard-size mattress to a king. We know very little about ... A: This is not an easy question. Sleeping is the most personal aspect of life. A box spring is mostly ... | |
| Jealousy Windows | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: I came across this type of windows but no explanatory discourse on what they do. Do they insulate ... A: Jealousy are a kool window..but sooooo old they are nearly impossible to get parts for. They are ok ... | |
| refacing a brick fireplace | 2/8/2008 |
| Q: We have an old brick fireplace that is built upon a raised hearth. I would like to build in cabinets ... A: If this is a wood burning fireplace, you dont want to mount the TV above it. Tremendous heat is ... | |
| furniture arrangement in living room | 1/31/2008 |
| Q: living room space is about 13 X 21 feet and a large archway, picture window, and side window plus ... A: Recliners are a difficult piece to fit. Hidabeds dont work opposite recliners...too much to move to ... | |
| Remodel design tips | 1/28/2008 |
| Q: It is a little late in the process to ask this...I just found this site... My home was built in ... A: If you are looking to sell...same counts. If you are fixing for you to enjoy...it only matters what ... | |
| narrow bath | 1/21/2008 |
| Q: last you posted a question about sourcing a bath max width 650mm. I also need a bath with that max ... A: This doesnt sound familiar to me, but I can imagine a solution to either build it with a ceramic ... | |
| kitchen cabinet | 1/19/2008 |
| Q: I hired a contractor to install kitchen cabinet. After the cabinets were done, I found out all the ... A: Get that contractor back to do the job correctly. If you dare...fill a cabinet with concrete blocks ... | |
| Slate table top | 12/24/2007 |
| Q: I just received a gorgeous table that has a slate insert. The slate is grayer instead of black which ... A: Davis Colors are the most common. You can get it in liquid or dry mix. It is a very strong color, ... | |
| Furniture-desk staining | 12/20/2007 |
| Q: Dave, I just sanded my old desk to renew the surface, and found out that it's made of compressed ... A: Above all, use oil base products and not latex/water base. Some of the Home improvement stores ... | |
| Furniture placement and what pcs | 11/19/2007 |
| Q: I am in the process of looking for new furniture. I like the more contempory look. I have a small, ... A: More importantly, how many friends do you have...how nuch seating will you want/need. If you hope ... | |
| cutting a boxspring | 10/30/2007 |
| Q: I bought a full size mattress set for my son's attic bedroom, but I cannot fit the boxspring up ... A: To make a safe answer...NO. If I had no choice, I would cut only as much as I could get metal and ... | |
| staining french doors problem | 10/17/2007 |
| Q: I am attempting to stain and varnish a set of oak french doors to use for a new closet added to my ... A: You are talking about a new beginning. Down to raw oak again. You may need to use a stripper to ... | |
| designing a bunk bed to fit in a small room | 9/17/2007 |
| Q: i have a small house with more children than rooms. i need to put two boys in the box room, ideally ... A: If you have access to some 2x4's, you can make bunk beds 3 tiered. 6" off the floor, 36" off, and ... | |
| can't settle on new sofa and loveseat! | 9/11/2007 |
| Q: I need to find a sofa and loveseat that I can be happy with, that goes with the surroundings. We ... A: Sorry about the doiley idea. Like I say, this is not an easy concept. The area rug is really do ... | |
| can't settle on new sofa and loveseat! | 9/10/2007 |
| Q: I need to find a sofa and loveseat that I can be happy with, that goes with the surroundings. We ... A: I think I can see your delema. Gonna take some thought. If you put some doileys or covers on the ... | |
| stripped drywall | 8/15/2007 |
| Q: My wife and kids recently tried to strip the old wallpaper off the walls but the layer of paper on ... A: If all the paper came off, you have a problem. The paper face is the prtection from the gypsom of ... | |
| painting furniture | 8/4/2007 |
| Q: I have a newer sofa table, it is typical brown (like Brohill or something) we want to make it look ... A: This is a real project. You will need to get a gel stripper and remove all of the finish and stain ... | |
| creating a nursery in a one bedroom apartment | 8/3/2007 |
| Q: am desperately having trouble putting up the perfect nursery 4 my soon to be born child in my ... A: I cant remember the name for it, but the 3 panel folding partitions, are a great way to divide a ... | |
| What comes first???? | 7/25/2007 |
| Q: My husband and I just moved into a new house. We brought some, but not all the furniture and ... A: Wall colors come first. That is a permanent. Window coverings must coordinate with the walls. ... | |
| Sunroom Design | 7/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a room that is on the west side of our home, 10.5' by 20', double dutch doors on the east ... A: Sun rooms can be very tricky. If you cant keep the interior design flowing into the exterior feel ... | |
| Bathroom tile removal/re-paster wall | 6/30/2007 |
| Q: We are doing bathroom renovation - We are removing our tiles including in the shower (new tiles will ... A: Your best choice...it wonder board. Whereevery you plan to tile...install wonderboard and use ... | |
| mattress | 6/23/2007 |
| Q: Sorry I have looked everywhere and could not find an expert on mattresses. So can you help me ? I am ... A: Most foam mattresses have the same thing in common. Lack of movement for disturbing sleepers. AS ... | |
| Painted wood dresser refinishing | 6/14/2007 |
| Q: I have a Lexington wood dresser that is painted white. I prefer wood stains. How would I go about ... A: There is a chance that it is Poplar. An insignificant hardwood. It would not be worth the effort. ... | |
| appliance placement | 6/6/2007 |
| Q: Hey Dave, I am not sure if this falls within your realm of expertise but I am wondering where most ... A: There are two rules. If the computer is OFFICE equipment, then it should be in a out of the way, no ... | |
| Travatine Dining Table | 6/2/2007 |
| Q: We have had a travatine dining table for approx. 20 years now and over time from having cups and ... A: I was not aware that travertine was that old. I was under the impression, that it is only about 6 ... | |
| green board | 5/26/2007 |
| Q: what is green board. what is it made of? A: Green board is the term for sheetrock/drywall that is used for setting tile on walls. It has a ... | |
| kitchen countertops | 5/5/2007 |
| Q: We have a light maple kitchen with cherry floors and are looking to replace our laminate countertops ... A: It sounds like you need to take a good look at what you have and decide on what you want. You have ... | |
| mattresses | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: I am looking to buy a new mattress. I need a king size. Would like to know what brands you suggest. ... A: I would not worry too much about the Name brand that you are paying for. I would be mostly ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 4/25/2007 |
| Q: We have looked at Shenandoah cabinets at Lowes and were told that they have a six-way adjustable ... A: The most important part of kitchen cabinets is the construction. Some are merely hot glued to ... | |
| repairing wood leg on china cabinet | 4/17/2007 |
| Q: I inherited my grandparent's wood dining set from the 60's. It is of great construction (ahh. the ... A: Without being hands on to see the piece, this is a shot in the dark. If you can get a floor flange ... | |
| paint with latex over oil paint | 4/16/2007 |
| Q: Can I put a latex bonding primer over oil painted cabinets and then paint them with latex paint. I'm ... A: Any oil base paint surface must be scratched to create a bondable surface. Sanding or steel wool ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 4/13/2007 |
| Q: what kind of kitchen cabinets would you recommend for someone who can't afford kraftmaid? thank you. A: Home Depot and Lowe's have large varieties of cabinets...If you need to shop by price, you suffer in ... | |
| restaining cabinets | 4/12/2007 |
| Q: we are redoing our kitchen and cannot find the right pre-stained cabinet-would it be possible to ... A: Wood requires an open grain to take stain. Sanding and/or striping is required. In come cases you ... | |
| Table Height | 4/9/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to determine if a new table I bought to go between two chairs is too big. It is about an ... A: If you want a chair to fit under the table...the table must be taller than the chair. If you are ... | |
| moisture in bathroom floor | 4/5/2007 |
| Q: We are selling our 1912 bungalow and the inspector claims to have found moisture in the bathroom ... A: Gypsom will hold moisture, but I cant imagine it being enough to register, after the efforts already ... | |
| Converting a swag lamp to work with a ceiling fixture | 3/30/2007 |
| Q: Are there parts to convert a hanging, chained, overhead lamp that plugs into a wall socket to plug ... A: Some hardware stores do carry a white cover plate for ceiling boxes that are not in use. The ... | |
| Painting Unfinished Furniture | 3/29/2007 |
| Q: I have an armoire for my 9 yr old daughter's room. I'm ashamed to say I have had it for almost 2 ... A: The best advice is to get a raw piece of wood from a lumber yard and experiment. I would start with ... | |
| 2 Different style of Dinning room Furniture | 3/27/2007 |
| Q: I had recently got a China Cabinet for my dinning room. My Dinning table and China Cabinet are 2 ... A: This is not that hard. Mainly, coming up with other decor to take the eye away from each cabinet as ... | |
| home decorating | 3/22/2007 |
| Q: I would like to do some built in type cabinetry surrounding window in bedroom. With tall cabinets on ... A: There used to be furniture outlets that sold unfinished furniture, and or would make it to your ... | |
| unshrinking cotton drapes | 3/1/2007 |
| Q: I bought a set of cotton curtains with instructions to "machine wash and tumble dry on low - iron ... A: Unless the manufactureres label guarantee pre shrunk, cotton will shrink, and shrink each time ... | |
| GREENBOARD | 2/26/2007 |
| Q: I'M HAVING MY BATHROOM REDONE. THE CONTRACTOR IS USING GREEN BOARD AROUND THE WHOLE BATHROOM. IS ... A: Green board has one specific purpose. It is used for a mastic set of tile. Not a paint grade gyp ... | |
| sofa, blinds | 2/6/2007 |
| Q: Here's a good one... I bought a sofa from Lazyboy in January. It arrived with an odor and other ... A: I have a feeling that the store will be replacing the sofa. Guarantees like to be honored in high ... | |
| painting wood table | 2/5/2007 |
| Q: I have a wood dining room table. The top is like butcher block with a varnish type finish. The ... A: If it is a slightly decorative leg, you may need to use steel wool to get a good sanding of the ... | |
| How to change European Chandelier into American hanging lamp | 1/4/2007 |
| Q: Aren't those chandeliers wired for the foreign voltage of 220 volts since they were made in Prague? ... A: Your concerns will be the way you mount or connect the fixture to a support, and the type of bulb ... | |
| Daybeds and link springs | 1/3/2007 |
| Q: I want to purchase daybeds, and I'm in unfamiliar territory. I have found some on ebay that I like, ... A: As you can see, shopping can be time consuming and not necessarily fruitful. I think I would start ... | |
| Home Designing | 1/1/2007 |
| Q: We very appreciate if you could help us in your professional advice in designing our new house. We ... A: You have two considerations that occupy space needlessly. Stairs, and bathrooms. You must have ... | |
| vinal floor tyles | 12/5/2006 |
| Q: I have a basement floor that has really old tiles on it and some have broken although not many so I ... A: Please do not use "peel and stick" tiles. It is the worst product going. It is only for rental ... | |
| butcherblock | 11/14/2006 |
| Q: I have just sanded down my butcherblock 3x5 kitchen work surface. What type finish should I put on ... A: You should be concerned that it be sanitary at all times. Most professional kitchens use a good ... | |
| Wall Unit Modification for Flat Panel TV | 11/13/2006 |
| Q: Dave: This question may not be within your area of expertise but there doesn't appear to be a Home ... A: I think I have a good idea/solution. Home Depot or such hardware stores carry....."file cabinet" ... | |
| Potlights | 11/7/2006 |
| Q: I am installing potlights in my Family room. The size of the room is approximately 11ft wide and 15 ... A: The typical coverage of a spot or flood lamp is 3.5' at 8'ceilings. With 9' ceiling it is nearly 4' ... | |
| painting | 10/9/2006 |
| Q: How can you tell if something has been painted with an oil based paint versus a water based paint? ... A: Normally a water base gloss paint is easy to scratch, and oil base is much harder. Water bases do ... | |
| ECHO IN HOME | 9/28/2006 |
| Q: I'm hoping I have the right expert to ask this question. We have a beautiful 2700sq foot home with ... A: Soft furniture, carpet on the floor, lots of pictures to reflect sounds around, ceiling fans to move ... | |
| vapor barrier behind durarock | 9/11/2006 |
| Q: We are having a tile shower installed in a bathroom remodel. The contractor has started to put up ... A: There is no vapor barrier requirement for durarock. It is water proof, ie water wont hurt it, but ... | |
| king size vs. california king | 9/6/2006 |
| Q: what's the difference between a California King Size bed and king size? If i buy a memory foam, ... A: I have a California King....and the CalKing sheets do not fit. I was informed that the CalKing is ... | |
| Carpet/wood Floor | 8/27/2006 |
| Q: I am installing a new hardwood floor and my wife want to "cover" it with a THROW RUG!- Great! Should ... A: It is extremely normal to put throw rugs on hardwood floors. It warms the room and quiets it too. ... | |
| Bedding | 8/14/2006 |
| Q: What are the demensions for a King size bed and a Cal King size bed? Thanks for your time Karyn A: I wish I knew. I have (at least I think I have) a California King. Sheets for Cal King do not fit, ... | |
| Matching colors or not? | 8/7/2006 |
| Q: We recently remodeled our kitchen/dining room - it's a large room with cherry cabinents that spill ... A: Black is a better choice that Birch or Maple, so I think it will be pretty nice. Doileys ... | |
| Mini Blinds & Vinyl Windows | 7/31/2006 |
| Q: Is it possible to install miniblinds on the inside of vinyl windows without drilling? One of the ... A: Mini blinds can be installed any where they will "fit". If you are planning on attaching them to ... | |
| Moving furniture to another location in my home. | 7/29/2006 |
| Q: I need to move my living room furniture into my basement but it is too big to fit through the ... A: I am sure you have heard of the "square peg in the round hole". If it doesnt fit... Basements are ... | |
| Paint particle board shiny finish cabinets | 7/29/2006 |
| Q: They are fairly new, but I dont think solid wood. I want to Distress or Antique them. Can I do ... A: Part of the problem is not knowing the current finish and the state of construction. If the face is ... | |
| Is durarock the best substrate for tiling shower area? | 7/26/2006 |
| Q: I am in the process of finishing my bathroom. The contractor bought durarock for the shower area and ... A: Any cement board is fine. Contractors have their preferences for workability, but they are all ... | |
| living area | 7/26/2006 |
| Q: im confused as to what to do with the high window near the ceiling 1meter in width and about 15in ... A: Those windows are ONLY a decorator item...not many people like them. A curtain, drape, blinds, or ... | |
| rip rap stain | 7/25/2006 |
| Q: Dave, thank you for your reply. I notice you used the word "fair" job. Do you have knowledge of ... A: It is used in slurry mixes for freeway coatings. I used "fair" because the rocks have different ... | |
| Old oak dining room table | 7/23/2006 |
| Q: Is there an easy way to brighten and shine the table top without a major strip and refinish job? I ... A: If the wood is in good shape, and the stain, or color is still good, then a good Shellacing is in ... | |
| How to paint a themed room | 7/22/2006 |
| Q: Spiderman, etc.) or if you can redirected me to another link. Also, what would be the best way to do ... A: This sounds like fun..and alot of work. I would start with a craft paper use light colored stock. ... | |
| staining furniture | 7/17/2006 |
| Q: I'd really like to buy some solid o;d furniture for my new house rather than new flat pack stuff. ... A: It will take alot of work, but it will be beautiful. Mahogany is one of those woods that looks ... | |
| Building a kitchen island | 7/8/2006 |
| Q: I need to build a kitchen island on a budget. I've considered using kitchen and/or bathroom ... A: Using cabinets as bases is the main idea. The thoughts to consider....36" away from any other ... | |
| Furniture | 7/6/2006 |
| Q: What do you think is the best convertable sofa. Comfort is important, as I will have to sleep on it. ... A: The funny thing about this type question, it is purely a matter of "feel". What feels good to me, ... | |
| Baseboards | 6/12/2006 |
| Q: I have a question about the baseboards that were installed over our tile floor. The previous owners ... A: IF they used silicone caulk you only have two choices. Take it out with knives and screwdriver an ... | |
| paint color to highlite hardwood floor | 6/8/2006 |
| Q: my husband and i are doing a remodle on a house that has the orignal 1948 hardwood floor in very ... A: It is great to have old hardwood floors. My problem is what species are we talking about. ... | |
| Matching cabinets to granite | 6/8/2006 |
| Q: I am remodeling my kitchen. I picked out verde marinace granite which is a green background with ... A: Using my imagination, that is not a good color match. Now keep in mind, you and your friends have ... | |
| sand painting | 6/2/2006 |
| Q: I did the sand paint-as suggested in the pamphlet. When coming down the next row, it overlapped ... A: Too much sand and not enough water will cause some serious aesthetic problems. You may need to ... | |
| Using Rust Converter | 5/31/2006 |
| Q: Should I use Rust Converter on an iron plant stand before painting? It has been painted before but ... A: I havent heard of a rust converter. I only know to knock it off, lightly sand and then repaint. I ... | |
| garage door opener | 5/29/2006 |
| Q: We have an Overhead Door brand opener at our lake home and it has lost it's mind! How do we ... A: Start by unplugging the unit. Wait 30 seconds, then plug it in. I hope you have the instruction ... | |
| Brass Fixtures | 5/27/2006 |
| Q: I recently bought a home built in '58 and I love it...except that all of the fixtures in it are ... A: YOu have gold in your home. If you were to put those brass fixtures up in Ebay.....$$$$$ Brass is ... | |
| water stain on waxed leather | 5/26/2006 |
| Q: it's hard to match the expert for the question, but your category gave me the best chance of ... A: I hate to say I have no idea what waxed leather is. I will suggest two or so possibilities. Diesel ... | |
| replacing windows on house with aluminium siding | 5/24/2006 |
| Q: Dave, Thank you for your prompt reply. I can see the advantages of leaving the existing window ... A: The idea of replacement windows is that the original frame stays intact and the new window unit ... | |
| replacing windows on house with aluminium siding | 5/23/2006 |
| Q: Dave , This summer I would like to atempt to replace our old single paned windows with double ... A: This is not an easy project for even the best of us. I would otherwise recommend "replacement" ... | |
| potlights for my kitchen | 5/23/2006 |
| Q: I am redoing my kitchen and need to tell the electrician where I want the potlights to go. I am ... A: General rules apply. You want them to look good geometricaly. You want them centered over YOUR ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 5/21/2006 |
| Q: I'm looking to remodel my kitchen and am investigating cabinets. Do you know anything about Kitchen ... A: Because there are so many cabinet manufacturers...it is safe to say they are not on the bottom. If ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 5/16/2006 |
| Q: I have cabinets in my kitchen that I really like a lot. I really do not like the color they are ... A: If you have a garage that you can work in, take the doors and draws off, get some fine sandpaper ... | |
| jealousy windows | 5/14/2006 |
| Q: I saw your response on these type of windows. I moved to Costa Rica Last year to retire. I have ... A: If I assume that you want to open them in the future, but seal them as needed, I would suggest a ... | |
| small space decorating | 5/11/2006 |
| Q: my husband and i just bought a small houseboat to redo. we have very limited space like 10 by 8. We ... A: Lets say the area needs to be 3x10 for a so so bathroom. Tkhe toilet will take 30" in width and you ... | |
| Damaged vinyl covering | 5/6/2006 |
| Q: There is a small tear on the black vinyl covering on the border rim my new poker table. Before I ... A: It may be a bit expensive for the size repair you have, but Home Depot carries a caulk that is black ... | |
| Re-filling sofas | 5/4/2006 |
| Q: I apologize if I am asking about furniture and not furnishings as per your expertise. Do you know ... A: It depends on the fill. If you are talking about the bean bag type fill, you can add as needed, if ... | |
| Wood fireplace revision | 4/24/2006 |
| Q: I am considering changing the look of our wood fireplace in thefamily room. I am considering ... A: Yes it will affect the fire place box, and no it will not meet building codes. It sounds like a ... | |
| Basement ceiling | 4/20/2006 |
| Q: I am starting the process of finishing the basement, and need to tackle the ceiling. The usual way ... A: It can be quite simple to install those ceilings. You can hang it with wire or string to get it ... | |
| bath | 4/12/2006 |
| Q: hope you're based in the u.k. as I need to know what company produces a bath measuring 1500mm x ... A: I am based in the US...Las Vegas. I really wish I had some direction for you to look. I would ... | |
| Fireplace reface | 4/9/2006 |
| Q: My "plans" are to reface my fireplace with slate.Iam going to cover the brick/formica with ... A: DO NOT install any wood typical surface near a fireplace opening. It is illegal at best. ONly ... | |
| Painting the bathroom vanity | 4/3/2006 |
| Q: Can I paint the vanity cabinet in my bathrooms? If so, please instruct me from start to finish. A: Whatever the current finish is....it requires sanding to rough the surface to allow bonding of ... | |
| remove formica sheeting from drywall | 3/31/2006 |
| Q: This is a follow up question to one I read about installing a tin panel backsplash. We have the ... A: I would refer you to any dry mix patches...Fixall is one, patching plaster, or what we call 5 minute ... | |
| Wallpaper border removal | 3/28/2006 |
| Q: I have been trying to remove old border that has been on my walls for about 10 years. I have tried ... A: First, let me congratulate you on a Wonderfull Last Name. Now....as for the wallpaper. Since there ... | |
| Wallpaper Removal | 3/21/2006 |
| Q: Dave, What can you suggest to remove very old (60's?) wallpaper off of drywall? My wife has been ... A: I dont know of any "fool proof" way of removing that stuff. If it was not installed in todays ... | |
| upholsterer | 3/13/2006 |
| Q: I live in South Bay and am looking for a top-notch upholsterer for some old (10+ years) Ethan Allan ... A: First off....anywhere in the Bay Area...you will get ripped off. Seondly I would seek the ... | |
| toilet placement on ceramic floor | 2/17/2006 |
| Q: I am installing a ceramic floor in my bathroom. I dont know how to get the toilet on the floor , ... A: There is a white plastic ring for that purpose. Sometimes I find them in Home Depot, other times at ... | |
| floors | 2/13/2006 |
| Q: We have a rather large home. When we bought it, the entire home was carpeted. The carpet is worn, ... A: It depends a bit on what the subfloor is and the condition it is in. It is not meant to be a finish ... | |
| Current trends in interior painting | 2/10/2006 |
| Q: Dave. We are redecorating a townhouse to put on the market. The townhouse is relatively new and is ... A: MANY of the new homes and models are going to pastels....light and dark to accent various rooms. ... | |
| Installing Tin Ceiling Panel Backsplash | 1/27/2006 |
| Q: I am remodeling our kitchen and would like to use a 'tin ceiling panel' type of backsplash. I have ... A: I hope I can keep this simple enough. 1. Obviously if the glue remains on the wall it will need ... | |
| Air Mattress Selection | 1/13/2006 |
| Q: Been attempting to decide on a manufacturer of air mattress to purchase said mattress. Looked at ... A: Airo bed is the one I would first consider. I like the air pump attached to it. I think I read ... | |
| cover up old door | 1/2/2006 |
| Q: We are starting to make some improvements in our kitchen and want to remove or cover an existing ... A: For safely sake, and sometime insurance coverage, a permit should be taken out. I have seen cases ... | |
| kitchen cabinets | 12/31/2005 |
| Q: OK THIS IS THE DEAL, MY HUSBAND AND I JUST BOUGHT A FARMHOUSE, FIXER UPPER. IT LOOKS LIKE MAYBE THE ... A: Sticker shock is going to be real. I would guess the new cabinets to be double what retail would ... | |
| Doors - To Strip or Not to Strip | 12/29/2005 |
| Q: Help! I am getting conflicting advice. I will try to be as brief as possible. I live in South-East ... A: The look of real wood is the highest selling point a home can have. It is the most work...with the ... | |
| counters | 12/23/2005 |
| Q: We are thinking about remodeling our kitchen. We live in the Dallas Texas area, our house is 18 ... A: I am glad you are only asking for an opinion. I have seen alot ....alot of granite going into ... | |
| decorating | 12/20/2005 |
| Q: I am a single female living in a two bedroom flat and I have some money to put into redecorating. I ... A: Unfortunately it is different in each state. In California I am licensed to do everything under my ... | |
| color choosing | 12/17/2005 |
| Q: I'm a 19 year old boy. Like to decorate my bedroom. It is a small room. Please suggest me some ... A: I hear of lot of teens requesting dark colors. Deep purple, blues....one girl wanted her walls ... | |
| Blown in insulation | 12/13/2005 |
| Q: I have an unheated garage. Above the garage are three bedrooms that are very cold. I was told that ... A: Even tho its seems foolish...I would take the ceiling down and install fiberglass bat insulation, ... | |
| hot tub | 11/29/2005 |
| Q: dave?,i,m getting a sun room and would like to put a hot tub in there,is there anything i should ... A: There is a LOT to consider in this position. Some sunrooms do not react well with Interior ... | |
| Horizontal or Verical Blinds | 11/27/2005 |
| Q: It was very helpful. It looks like because of allegrgies vertcals are for me. What material is th ... A: The Horizontals will reflect the UV just a bit better because of the ability to close more tightly ... | |
| Lighting | 11/14/2005 |
| Q: I have a light fixture with a chain on it to turn it on and off. I want to replace it with a better ... A: The remote controls for fan/lights will do the same for your light. It is powered in the ceiling ... | |
| wood care | 11/12/2005 |
| Q: Orange glow on wood left oil spots any help on removing them? A: I have always considered Orangeglow to be a safe product for finished surfaces. Was this raw wood, ... | |
| getting ready to sell | 10/5/2005 |
| Q: if i'm planing to sell and want to get top dollar should i look at all repairs even if they seem to ... A: To get Top Dollar...it has to be 100% ...or seems so. New paint anywhere/everywhere. The smell of ... | |
| Bathroom walls..sheetrock? | 9/24/2005 |
| Q: I'm finishing a new basement bathroom. Can I use sheetrock or do I need to use greenboard. If ... A: There is a lot of information to share in this query. Green board is designed as a substrate for ... | |
| electrical | 9/24/2005 |
| Q: My husband is attempting to replace a ceiling light fixture. We got everything connected turned on ... A: Obviously you are connecting to the incorrect pair of wires. Use the volt meter to find the pair ... | |
| Paint Brand names | 9/22/2005 |
| Q: Dave, Hi. I am a first time home owner and re-painting my whole entire condo. My question is about ... A: All the paint companies can give you the color you want, the trick is to get the best ONE COAT ... | |
| Challenging decoration Idea | 9/21/2005 |
| Q: I am a sculptor who happens not to have a real studio. All I have is one third of my three-car ... A: This is a wide open project. Consider sheetrock for panels...might be cheaper....consider some ... | |
| Lighting | 9/5/2005 |
| Q: We are in the very early stages of building a rec room in our basement. Right now we are trying to ... A: Alot of placement issues depend on the amount of light you want for the room. If you want full ... | |
| space conversion | 9/5/2005 |
| Q: ------------------------- I have a rendering of the bare space that I could send you in a Word doc. ... A: One really nice way to enhance and break up a room is with furniture. A couch and chairs can create ... | |
| Vinyl Siding | 8/21/2005 |
| Q: I have recently had some estimates on vinyl siding for my house. Two types have been offered, one ... A: My history with vinyl siding goes back about 30 yrs. It wasnt that good. I would say that if the ... | |
| Window shades or awnings | 8/20/2005 |
| Q: How can a window shade or awning keep a house cooler on a sunny day in summer? A: It is a basic principal...light is heat. The Sun will heat any object it shines on. If you do not ... | |
| Home Furnishings | 8/10/2005 |
| Q: I am going to be renting out my spare room for a 6 month period. However, after the lease, I would ... A: You do have several options, but....if the renter needs a good bed for his money...it could be a ... | |
| Placement of fishtank in a home with a crawlspace. | 8/1/2005 |
| Q: I just rented my first home and it has a crawlspace throughout the whole house. I also have a 55 ... A: That size tank is not as bad as you may have been told. If water is 7+ lbs per gallon...400 lbs is ... | |
| Cats & Leather Furniture | 7/18/2005 |
| Q: I am thinking of buying new living room furniture and I would like to buy leather rather than ... A: When a cat gets in the mood to scratch....the furniture is lost. Cats love leather...it helps them ... | |
| Acoustic ? Ceiling | 7/13/2005 |
| Q: I recently purchased a home and the master bedroom ceiling reminds me of an office :( I believe it ... A: Think of the tiles as compressed Paper. It wont carry the weight of a texture coating. It can be ... | |
| Kitchen Remodel | 7/7/2005 |
| Q: My home has it,s original kitchen {1972} I would like to do the complete remodel. Cabnets, Counter ... A: This is some question. New cabinets are the way to go. Lowe's and Home Depot are a great starting ... | |
| home remodeling/home repair | 7/6/2005 |
| Q: My family and I are looking to remodel our house to sell it but we arent exactly sure where to ... A: Being biased...consult contractors first. Get several bids and listen to their ideas. Have a game ... | |
| peel and stick tiles | 7/4/2005 |
| Q: This question is a little strange. Can you put peel and stick floor tiles on a wall and use them ... A: I would say anything to desuade you from using that tile. It is the worst product ever made. It is ... | |
| Saving Cabinets | 6/8/2005 |
| Q: Quick cabinet question for you. Just bought a home that has some up-to-date kitchen cabinets that ... A: It usually is quite simple to take cabinets down. Some screws into the wall and possibly screws ... | |
| Redecorate Bungalow Kitchen | 6/2/2005 |
| Q: I'm trying to help my friend redecorate his bungalow kitchen. Someone redid it. They moved the ... A: The kitchen is the most expensive room in any home/bungalow. If money is a problem, so is the ... | |
| furniture color | 5/29/2005 |
| Q: I bought a small home on a lake a few years ago. the front room is about 30' long by 20' wide. It ... A: It sounds like a BEAUTIFUL room. I am not sure I would want to change things. Apparently, not ... | |
| vinyl siding | 5/21/2005 |
| Q: Vinyl Siding Sears or any siding contractor/product? does it really NOT fade? won't the Florida sun ... A: Personally and professionaly I do not like vinyl siding. The expansion and contraction allowance is ... | |
| crown molding | 5/17/2005 |
| Q: ------------------------- I dont know how to make the angels meet correctly, for a pitched ... A: Keep in mind that crown moulding is for a square corner...vaulted ceilings are not square corners. ... | |
| double hung door installation | 5/16/2005 |
| Q: I am installing a pre hung double door in a finished opening, and having trouble with the leveling ... A: First make sure the floor is Level. (shim as needed) Make sure the sides are plumb and allow 1/4" ... | |
| unique size toilet seat | 5/12/2005 |
| Q: Dave .. I have an old home (approximately 100 yrs) with an absolutely beautiful bathroom .. need an ... A: I havent looked for it for a long....time...but. I recall a brass rod/hinge mechanism for toilet ... | |
| Tricks to make a small place big? | 5/8/2005 |
| Q: I live in a small apartment in Brooklyn and am wondering if you have any tricks that would ... A: Mirrors definitley help...but dont get carried away. Pastels....can give a room depths that it ... | |
| Leather Furniture | 5/7/2005 |
| Q: We have recently purchased two new leather settees. Can you recommend a commercially available ... A: Saddle Soap...or boot cream works wonders. Most high end shoe companies carry such elements. It ... | |
| teenagers bedroom | 5/1/2005 |
| Q: Hey Dave! My name's Amanda. I'm a teenager, and I need some serious help w/ my bedroom. It's cute, ... A: ...yes you can paint over wallpaper..as long as it is not a vinyl coated paper. I would suggest ... | |
| livingroom has sofits; dentil mouldings | 4/30/2005 |
| Q: I am going to have my walls painted Safari 312-3 from Pittsburgh paint (light green color). my wall ... A: It sounds like you have given this some real thought. I think I like your idea...painting the ... | |
| Best Windows for New Home | 3/30/2005 |
| Q: Dave, Thanks for your time. What about Window Tech and Westek? How do you compare windows? The ... A: I guess part of the problem is what I can put my hands on. I have worked with Pella, Window ... | |
| painting | 3/23/2005 |
| Q: I'm renovating a home that had wallpaper in the Kitchen. It was not primed and when I took the paper ... A: I am not real sure just where to tell you to start. Depending on where you are in the process.... ... | |
| fireplace glass doors | 3/21/2005 |
| Q: We just bought our first home. The fireplace has gold glass doors and we were wondering how to ... A: The glass doors have several possibilites for removal. Lift up and out, loosen a screw and slide ... | |
| refinishing brass bed | 3/17/2005 |
| Q: bought brass head and foot board but is discolored and needs to be refinished, how and what products ... A: If the old lacquer is in good shape...just the steel wool to rough it up for the new lacquer. If ... | |
| home questions | 3/13/2005 |
| Q: I am thinking about having a house built. I received a list of options that can be put into the ... A: These are some very good options. Tyvek is a house wrap, in that it is 9' wide and they "Christmas" ... | |
| cabinets | 2/28/2005 |
| Q: I was in Lowes debating to purchase Shenandoah cabinets and I was wondering if they good or not. I ... A: From a homeowners point of view...they are acceptable If installed correctly. From a Contractors ... | |
| Marble Countertop | 2/21/2005 |
| Q: One year ago, I bought a marble countertop for my bathroom. When I bought it and had it installed ... A: I am curious of the term Marble. Cultured marble is manmade and will scratch and marr and will ... | |
| Fireplace hearth | 2/20/2005 |
| Q: Hell Dave, I am planning to do 'something' with my old brick fireplace hearth, the bottom flat ... A: Just keep in mind the heat factor and/or fire. Stone is the prefered type of surface for that ... | |
| Bathroom decor | 2/19/2005 |
| Q: I am hoping to knock all the tiles off the walls of our small bathroom and have it replastered and ... A: What you are trying to do is NOT sellable to another buyer. Unfortunately the key to any remodeling ... | |
| Wallpaper repair, | 2/19/2005 |
| Q: I'm not sure if my problem is within the bounds of your expertise,but here it is. I'm trying to ... A: Consider this. Wallpaper is usually soaked in glue or water prior to going on the wall. Conversely ... | |
| bathroom remodel | 2/12/2005 |
| Q: One wall in my bathroom is an exterior wall. After removing the tile, I find it is literally the ... A: You sure can. There are many possible applications to do this with. You could use lead anchors in ... | |
| buying furniture | 2/8/2005 |
| Q: I am in the market for a new sofa, lowboy, headboard and nightstands as well as drapes and blinds ... A: Searching by manufacturer or their web site would be the hardest and most expensive. Ebay is ... | |
| repair/decorating an old house | 1/18/2005 |
| Q: We have a big, old house that we want to update and sell in the next two years (so that we can move ... A: This is kind of a simple "fix" Get some second opinions from friends. Explain that you want to ... | |
| pillars | 1/18/2005 |
| Q: I am builder working in France working with an interior designer.She has set me some difficult tasks ... A: So sorry for the delay. I have been away on vacation since 18th. Can you apply a verticle lathe? ... | |
| Butcher Block counter | 1/11/2005 |
| Q: ------------------------- Followup To: Sorry I was not clear. we are doing kitchen over. I am ... A: It is very possible to use a REAL wood countertop, especiall for an island. It will take many coats ... | |
| Built in Wall Oven/Range top | 12/31/2004 |
| Q: Dave, I like the look of the pricier oven/cooktop and I think that future buyers would expect it. ... A: Built in's are a pain. The cabinet has to be altered to accept the appliance very tightly. The ... | |
| Your experiences within your career | 12/21/2004 |
| Q: My name is Camila Kwan and I am looking for information on interior designing. I am interested in ... A: What a list! 1. I have been in construction for over 40 yrs. Working with uncles and other ... | |
| painting doors | 12/20/2004 |
| Q: We bought wood French doors from Home Depot that came unprimed. An oil-based white primer was used ... A: You are attempting to put a water base paint on and oil surface. It wont do well. Once the oil ... | |
| Reply to your response of 12/14/04 | 12/14/2004 |
| Q: Per your response that you "didn't understand the question", I wanted to clarily that this was a ... A: I wish I knew what kind of product you are refering too. I have not seen nor heard of this shade. ... | |
| Refinish/Restoration | 11/29/2004 |
| Q: How can I (DIY) restore/refinish furniture in the minimum possible amount...We received a donation ... A: Depending on the amount of "finish" on the furniture, is sanding an option. If not, there are ... | |
| mix of paint / stain | 11/6/2004 |
| Q: can i mix stain into paint? my walls are a pale yellow & i want a natural blondish-tan look for the ... A: Mixing stains is a difficult process. Oil to oil, latex to latex. If you start mixing latex ... | |
| ASBESTOS | 10/26/2004 |
| Q: WE ARE LOOKING AT A HOUSE BUILT IN 1978. IT WILL BE A FIXER UPPER. DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ... A: You are right to be concerned. Pre '82 some ceilings textures used asbestos to both fire protect ... | |
| Roof Trusses and Load bearing wll | 10/16/2004 |
| Q: We are trying to knock down a wall in my house, However one of the walls, based on what our ... A: If a wall runs parralel to the truss it cannot bear loads. If it runs perpendicular it can "assist" ... | |
| Lighting..US vs UK | 10/8/2004 |
| Q: I live in the UK but have seen a really beautiful light on a US site that I want to have shipped ... A: With what little I know of European electric, (visited and studied some French wiring) it may be ... | |
| hard to be designer | 9/11/2004 |
| Q: I want to pursue my dream, so I start my own design service, I enjoy doing design work, but connect ... A: Being a PROFESSIONAl is difficult. You may need to be a "door knocker" getting out and show your ... | |
| Saturated Cinderblock | 8/26/2004 |
| Q: I have a 2-½ year old 2-story home with a full-unfinished basement. Although I have had no problems ... A: If this remains damp and discolored, flaky or corroding....you have a continuing water problem. You ... | |
| Painting popcorn ceilings | 8/21/2004 |
| Q: Our popcorn ceilings are 35 years old, still in tact, but look dirty and nasty. I would like to ... A: As it comes out of the can should do just fine. Some paint companies have thinner paint than ... | |
| Painting popcorn ceilings | 8/17/2004 |
| Q: Our popcorn ceilings are 35 years old, still in tact, but look dirty and nasty. I would like to ... A: There is a paint roller that is perfect for this. Not all stores carry it, but Home Depot does for ... | |
| ------------------------- ... | 8/17/2004 |
| Q: Could you please advice regarding Home Improvement / home furnishings / Furniture. Thanks and ... A: You will need to make a choice before going on. What are you favorite designs and colors. Paint, ... | |
| Looking for data/guidelines... | 8/15/2004 |
| Q: Looking for data/guidelines regarding construction of wheelchair ramp from parking lot to deck ... A: "Sounds like you have a good one" If you use the Trexdex or Composite type 2x6, weatherproof, no ... | |
| Painting | 8/9/2004 |
| Q: My boyfreind and I are doing some interior painting. My dining room, living room and hallway are all ... A: This is a paintable ceiling. There is a foam roller that is actually a combination of dozes of 1/8" ... | |
| billiard lamp | 7/20/2004 |
| Q: "Not sure if you can answer this, but I cannot find anyone else online with general expertise. We ... A: I am going to make an assumption that a drop ceiling means metal ribs and panels. This being the ... | |
| Finishing a Basement Ceiling | 7/11/2004 |
| Q: We are thinking about finishing our basement ceiling. Right now, there is nothing at all there, ... A: A suspended ceiling aka T-bar ceiling would be one of the simplest and kinda affordable..not cheap. ... | |
| Remove wallpaper | 7/9/2004 |
| Q: What is the best way to remove wallpaper from bare drywall. Drywall was not primed, painted or ... A: The primary reason to use sizing on a wall prior to wallpaper is to make it removeable for change. ... | |
| Renovation | 7/2/2004 |
| Q: Dave, I don't know if you can help me but my husband and I are interested in purchasing a ... A: This is NOT a project to take on lightly. Renovations can take all your time and more money than ... | |
| window caulking | 6/26/2004 |
| Q: I could sure use any tips or helps you can give with regard to removing and replacing stubborn old ... A: There are different caulks for different purposes. Latex painters caulk work around exterior areas ... | |
| Bad Paint | 6/14/2004 |
| Q: Is it possible the an indoor paint could have a disgusting odor? We are temporarily renting an ... A: This is a fun one. Odors can come from almost anything. Mold in a wall, a septic odor can occur ... | |
| Wall Air Conditioner Removal | 6/13/2004 |
| Q: I have a central air conditioned home, that, at one time, was cooled with an in the wall, in the ... A: You may need to contact a glass company to come and measure for a replacement pane of glass. This ... | |
| painting countertops | 5/30/2004 |
| Q: Can I paint the icky old countertops in my kitchen? They're still in decent shape, but they are just ... A: Most countertop finishes are designed to NOT stick to anything. I dont recommend the attempt. It ... | |
| New Home--3 questions | 5/19/2004 |
| Q: I just wanted to know is it safe for me to plug a dorm size little refrigerator into the GFCI ... A: In some kitchens..all outlets are GFCI protected. Because it is a motor they have a limited ... | |
| Paint Contractor Didn't Perform Work Promised | 5/11/2004 |
| Q: Do you know if I have any recourse in getting my deposit back ($1200 - total paint job $3600) from a ... A: You have a variety of options...IF. Was this a licensced contractor that you hired. The State ... | |
| Interior Painting | 5/4/2004 |
| Q: great to see some one who can answer me! I am planning to paint blue on a bedroom wall that may be ... A: I will make a couple of assumptions that you may want need to consider. At that age it could be oil ... | |
| painting over wallpaper | 5/3/2004 |
| Q: I've recently purchased a home. The wallpaper in the bathroom is on like cement, it's paper thin and ... A: In the event that it has a sheen...give it a very light sanding. Next smear a thin layer of "joint ... | |
| Upholstery fabric cleaning | 4/17/2004 |
| Q: I would like to make a loose cover for our sofa using a fabric by Jane Churchill (Karuna J311F-02) ... A: If you dont know already...cotton shrinks tremendously. The linen element will help in the ... | |
| Garage door opener | 4/15/2004 |
| Q: Can't find any help with this subject.. Hope you can offer some advice Dave.. My garage is very old ... A: Conflicting information...if you pull the cord the opener is no longer connected...it should work ... | |
| basement flooring | 4/14/2004 |
| Q: I am redoing my basement and I am looking for a good type of hard wood floor. Some people have told ... A: First I will recommend that you install.."sleepers" to nail the flooring to. 1x4's glued and ... | |
| Pocket Doors | 4/6/2004 |
| Q: We have installed a laminate flooring in our kitchen. The pocket door that leads from the kitchen ... A: Some pocket door are adjustable. Unfortunately the door must be removed to either trim or adjust. ... | |
| interior decorating | 3/23/2004 |
| Q: could u please suggest me ways in which i can use mirrors to increase or make the most of natural ... A: I would strongly suggest you visit some "lighting" stores. They use alot of mirrors to heighten the ... | |
| Load Bearing - Two Rooms to One | 3/21/2004 |
| Q: Our daughter is looking at buying a single story home that has two living areas. The wall between ... A: What is the determining factor for Load Bearing. If it was built with trussess...it may NOT be load ... | |
| Hanging a door | 3/18/2004 |
| Q: Dave, here is myI have hung pre-hung doors before but not, what I call a slab door or just a piece ... A: Hanging a door is simple if you take the right approach. Is it beveled on one or both edges. It ... | |
| Walls- what to do | 3/18/2004 |
| Q: My walls look like someone did a ceiling texture on the walls. It pokes out with sharp little ... A: Paint scraper,,, body sander..planer, sharp putty knife, any of those will help. Joint compound is ... | |
| lighting for artwork | 3/18/2004 |
| Q: hope you can help me. We are renovating a 30 year old ranch house. i have a 20 x 16 area that will ... A: This is one of those. You must place the artwork where it is pleasing you and fits the wall. The ... | |
| painting | 3/4/2004 |
| Q: but the ceiling is a soft stipple so I guess I am going to have to use a oil based paint for the ... A: Let me strongly recommend against the oil base paint approach. Instead try using a spay apparatus. ... | |
| two questions (re-pave patio and window replacement) | 2/25/2004 |
| Q: Dave, Don't know if you can answer both/either question(s) - if you can, I appreciate your help! I ... A: I think you will surprised about the cost of the window replacement. More like $300 each mat/labor ... | |
| Ceiling Painting | 2/24/2004 |
| Q: My home was built in the late 70s and all ceilings except the kitchen are very heavy popcorn ... A: Oh yes it is a messssss. I do it all too often. I use both a 2" and 5" putty knife and try not to ... | |
| custom window seating | 2/13/2004 |
| Q: would like to add a 12' custom bay window seat,not sure how to go about it. height relative to the ... A: I shall try to give a beginning to your project. Seats are normally in the 17" to 18" in height. ... | |
| Home Improvement | 1/31/2004 |
| Q: I have an 80 year old home, I purchased it two months ago. I know there is no insulation in the ... A: It will help of course. Factoid: The walls equal less than 20% of the radiant heat gain/loss. The ... | |
| double pain windows | 1/24/2004 |
| Q: Dave, Are double pain replacement windows, the ones with argon and nitrogen gas worth the expense? ... A: For as many people have asked how to replace the gas into the windows... it would seem that it is ... | |
| painting | 8/9/2003 |
| Q: Dave, when i go to home depot or lowes to get paint, can i get any interior paint to have my color ... A: It is all computer generated color match... and very close. Depending on the ages of the paints ... | |
| care of dining room table | 8/1/2003 |
| Q: I have a beautiful Century dining room table, it has a parquet design on it. I would like to use it ... A: I have several good answers.... depending on what is available to you. Simonize Paste Wax is the ... | |
| vinyl sideing | 7/30/2003 |
| Q: Vinyl sideing when applyed over new construction, should it have a water proof paper on first,like ... A: You "should" apply a craft paper or a vapor barrier between the siding and the subsiding. It is a ... | |
| flooring | 7/19/2003 |
| Q: It's Jackie again. I have a follow up question to the flooring answer, and you gave me a good ... A: Unfortunately I really enjoyed your letter/question. I hear this same decree from so many people in ... | |
| Kitchen ceiling | 7/14/2003 |
| Q: Dave, I have a recessed ceiling area in my kitchen with fluorescent lighting. The recessed area is ... A: Unfortunately I have not had much luck with pics sent, but it was a good thought. The kitchen can ... | |
| getting a spare freezer or refrigerator | 7/4/2003 |
| Q: I live in Florida, garage is hot in summertime. can a refrigerator or a small freezer work in that ... A: When you throw in the word efficiently... you change the equation. It will work well enough... but ... | |
| Kitchen Cabinets | 6/9/2003 |
| Q: My kitchen is all knotty pine (walls and cabinets). I need a cabinet to match what I currently have ... A: You will need to locate a good custom cabinet maker to get a good match. You can try Home Depot or ... | |
| cleaning popcorn, blown celings | 6/7/2003 |
| Q: Would spraying liquid bleach work on our dirty ceilings to whiten them. I worry about them getting ... A: Most cases of dirty accoustic ceilings, just paint over them. There is a "split" foam roller that ... | |
| Shower floor repair | 5/25/2003 |
| Q: I have an older 2bdrm mobile home with a stand up shower stall in the master bath and I believe it ... A: You may have difficulty in the matching the floor but it is a do able fix. The foam sounds good... ... | |
| Colour | 4/28/2003 |
| Q: Good day, My name is Britnie and I am working on a project for my Information Technology class. I ... A: Very interesting questions. White is a standard color that gives the feeling of openess. It also ... | |
| jealousy windows | 4/19/2003 |
| Q: I have a screen porch that I am interested in turning into a 3 season porch. I have spoken with 2 ... A: Unfortunately I would be at a loss to find Jealousy also. Anderson Windows if the only place that ... | |
| ceramic tiles | 4/19/2003 |
| Q: I liked your advertisement, so I am writing you. Eventually (within the year)I would like to get ... A: It will be a difficult task to get your ideas into the market. IT is beautiful work, I have seen ... | |
| Ceiling/Wall Moldings | 4/15/2003 |
| Q: Coil, Your expertise is needed, please. My home has a "flat" roof that is mimicked by low, sloped ... A: I will say that your moulding idea is different and may have a nice affect. My not be what you are ... | |
| Furniture refinishing | 4/9/2003 |
| Q: I have a solid wood bedroom set----finished with a dark stain and a glossy top coat. It may be ... A: That gloss finish will make it very difficult for any paint to stick to. Even a good sanding will ... | |
| Waterbed Support | 3/16/2003 |
| Q: Can you tell me (or tell me where to find out) how much support I need under a king sized waterbed? ... A: The typical water bed, using 1/2" plywood,(not OSB grade) needs floor support in a maximum of 2'x2' ... | |
| wall mirrors cracking | 2/22/2003 |
| Q: Dave, Received a call from daughter-in-law about 12" mirror tiles recently installed by her husband ... A: First and formost... carefully. Is the cause from the wall moving or the tiles moving.? The edges ... | |
| Open Frame Shutters | 2/6/2003 |
| Q: My wife and I would like to put up some interior window shutters. We looked in Home Depot, but they ... A: It will be very time consuming, but not that great a task, after all you have the Home Depot ... | |
| removing wallpaper border | 1/28/2003 |
| Q: When we built our house 6 years ago, we put a wide border (vinyl) close to the ceiling in our family ... A: It sounds like you have taken all the good ideas and put them to use. One small possibility after ... | |
| Painting the Ceiling | 1/6/2003 |
| Q: The ceiling is really dingy and I'd like to do that first-- do you recommend any special strategy to ... A: The best strategy is to be prepare for a mess, but dont make one. They make rollers with plastic ... | |
| affordable countertop! | 12/31/2002 |
| Q: Any tips about an affordable countertop, other than formica? Or a less expensive manufacturer of a ... A: Granite, marble, slate, or ceramic tiles are the next best choices between your two. Gibralter ... | |
Home Furnishings/Furniture
Answers by Expert:
Dave Coil
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Home improvements and furnishings are the real parts that matter. I enjoy working with the "homeowners" and making sure they get what they want. Ask me anything about home improvements and let me surprise you.
Experience
I have been a remodeling Contractor for 25 yrs. That is a lot of satisfied customers to brag about.
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