People who keep their pets in the house understand that there are some risks that go along with that decision. Even well-trained animals sometimes cause damage to their owners’ property. An excited dog knocks over a lamp while running to greet her human when she gets home from work. A cat gets into something he…
When building or remodeling a home, choosing countertops and other surfaces that are both beautiful and functional plays a major part in the eventual look and feel of the home. Unlike something as temporary as paint colors, high-end stone surfaces are an investment that is meant to last for years, even through multiple owners. With…
Many contemporary kitchens, bathrooms, patios, and living areas include grouted tile. Tile can look fabulous with many different home decor styles, which is why you find it frequently in a wide range of homes. However, everyone who has lived with tile and grout knows the reality of keeping it clean and bright. In addition to…
When putting your home on the market, you want to present it at its best. Getting more buyer interest will command the best price for your home—and that’s when the extra effort you give—whether with expensive renovations or smaller, less expensive touches like painting pay off in big dollars. Everyone who tours a home they…
Granite countertops are both beautiful and tough, but that doesn’t mean they can go without a little TLC and preventative maintenance. While granite is moisture-resistant, it’s also porous, so spilled liquids, especially colored ones, and dirt can stain and etch it. As a proud homeowner, regularly maintain and clean your granite by mopping up spills…
Different types of flooring will have different qualities. Carpet, of course, brings with it a softer feel and is often a popular choice for bedrooms. But tile brings a lot of great design possibilities, along with a very important feature; durability. With tile, the density of the material makes it extremely hardy, and with proper…
Travertine is a type of stone that is refined after quarrying for use in countertops, backsplashes and flooring. While the stone is beautiful and hard, you need to take care when it comes to travertine cleaning and maintenance. Travertine is durable and can last your lifetime and longer, but it is not as hard as…
Your floors, showers, countertops, back splashes and more are made the more beautiful when the tiles and shining and the grout is clean. To keep them pristine—preventing mold and mildew and cleaning away dirt, soap scum, lime scale and other nasty eyesores—you need to do some regular cleaning. Here are some tips on what to avoid…
Granite looks great. For anyone that’s chosen to have granite laid out on the countertop in a kitchen or other space, there’s nothing quite like the pleasing, natural, unique look of the swirls, shades and other elements that make up this stone. Granite is also, unsurprisingly, a durable and hardy material. When properly maintained, this…
So you’ve gone to the trouble of having your grout and tiles thoroughly cleaned, transforming the look and feel of your kitchen or bathroom. But you know that through regular use, your grout and tile will be faced with the staining ravages of water; mildew, mold and food residue. Following are some tips on how…
