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There are many things you can do when organizing and decluttering to “go green” and help our planet too. I’ve compiled a list of things you can easily do and incorporate into your daily routine…

1. Donate – This is a very clever way of tidying up and extending the life cycle of “things”. When you donate, you are really helping the planet and humanity.

2. Reduce size – Moving to a smaller carbon footprint is of course great for Mother Earth. How much space do we all have? Really need?

3. Minimize – Keep items in your home to a minimum and you’ll reduce global production, fuel use, and exploding packaging. You’ll also be surprised at how much more visually appealing it is. Cleaner items will also be easier to find, use, maintain, and return to their proper places.

4. Reuse/recycle – Before you throw something away, ask yourself: “Can I reuse this somehow?” For example, maybe you can take a filing cabinet you no longer use and turn it into an office supply storage system. Or revamp the school desk Grandpa used to have in second grade and use it as a handsome end table.

5. Reuse/Use again – Let’s train our brain disposable a reusable for the health of our landfills. What can you keep reusing and using after one or many times?

6.Sell – When you sell items, instead of throwing away what you no longer love, use or need, you make the buyer happy, the economy healthier and the environment greener.

7. Shopping – Just buy what you need when you need it. This will help the earth, your personal organization and your pocket. Also, try shopping for second-hand items such as consignment, restorations, and estate sales. Buying what others no longer want is ecological and elegant.

8. SYSTEMS – Did you know that this acronym is “Saving you space, time, energy and money”? Many of our daily household tasks can become healthier habits for our environment, such as:

• Dirty clothes – Do full loads with cold washes and non-toxic chemicals.
• food preparation – Shop local, plan your meals on a First-in, First-out basis and compost.
• recycling – Take the time to check out your city’s recycling web page and create a recycling center in your kitchen and garage to coincide with city pickups.
• paper processing – Go digital!

In the old days, people tended to decorate their houses according to the prevailing trend, without giving too much thought to their own tastes. These days, we’re generally more inclined to put our personal stamp on our living space, while continuing to draw inspiration and ideas from interior design magazines and TV shows. That’s one of the main reasons why an increasing number of people are now buying unfinished tables, chairs, dressers, beds, kitchen cabinets, and many other pieces of furniture, and customizing them to fit their existing decor and color scheme. .

With unfinished furniture, you can easily combine a newly purchased item with those already in the room. You can gradually add pieces over time without having to worry about a particular range being discontinued, as unfinished furniture tends to have basic shapes and patterns that won’t go out of style quickly. Naturally, you can also change the look of your home at any time by redoing items you’ve had for a while in a different finish or color.

Is it really solid wood?

Most unfinished furniture on the market today is made from solid wood, although it’s also possible to find items labeled “all wood.” This is not solid wood, but a composite of wood chips and resin, such as plywood or chipboard, which is covered with a thin wood veneer. While unfinished “all wood” furniture will cost you less than the solid wood equivalent, it won’t last as long or be as strong as the real thing. Since you’re paying a relatively low price for your unfinished furniture anyway, you should opt for real wood if possible.

The best thing about buying unfinished solid wood pieces is that you can see exactly what the wood looks like, and the manufacturer has no way of hiding knots, weak spots, or other flaws that weaken the item’s structure. What you see is what you get, in other words. For guaranteed top-quality wood, look for furniture certified by the Unfinished Furniture Association.

Some unfinished solid wood lines are made from hardwoods like oak, maple, eucalyptus, or beech, and others from softwoods like pine, cedar, redwood, or fir. Unsurprisingly, hardwoods hold up well to the rigors of home use, while softwoods can scratch or dent quite easily. However, this makes softwoods ideal for finishing with an aged or distressed look.

Finishing your new purchase

Unfinished furniture needs only a minimal amount of preparation before applying your choice of finish. Simply wipe all surfaces with a slightly damp cloth to remove dust and you are ready to go. The only exception is if you want to paint the item and then simply apply a coat of primer and allow it to dry before applying the paint.

You have a wide range of options when it comes to finishes for your new furniture. This is your chance to express your creativity and personality and produce a unique piece that is your own handiwork. Popular finishing methods include painting, staining, waxing, lacquering, lacquering, mosaic inlay, stenciling, and faux effects such as weathering, marbling, and crackle glaze.

ideas to start

You can paint bedroom furniture like beds, nightstands, dressers, and dressers to match the wall color or drapes, and perhaps apply a patterned design or distressed finish to make it truly your own. How about staining your dining set to match the window casings and baseboards for a chic, put-together look? A milk wash or whitewash finish can transform an ordinary kitchen table into a rustic farmhouse table in no time.

Involve your children in creating fun furniture for their bedrooms or attractive pieces for the study that the whole family can use. If you’re really good at refinishing your own furniture, why not use your skill to make lovely gifts for family and friends? They don’t have to be large items: an imaginatively decorated newspaper rack or key cabinet can make a great personalized gift. Or you could even turn your hobby into a lucrative small business making fabulous hand-finished pieces to order.

Now that raw wood furniture has become so popular, many schools and universities are offering classes in refinishing techniques, so there’s no excuse not to jump on this trend. Alternatively, you can talk to a professional wood finisher to try and get some advice on how to achieve the look you want.

Above all, enjoy the process, and you will have some wonderful pieces to treasure in the future.

When moths invade your home, they are likely to be found in your kitchen or pantry, as well as in closets or other places where you keep clothes. In fact, you can bring moths into your home from the grocery store without even knowing it. They can be found in food boxes and even sealed plastic bags. Before they reach their full size, the moths are so small that you may not even notice their presence before it’s too late.
How to get rid of pantry moths

moth caterpillars

The most common place to find moths is in the pantry. Look for corner straps and small holes in food containers. Sometimes you will find that part of your food is stuck on with some kind of sticky material or you may notice a strange smell. These are all signs that you have moths in your pantry and on your food. Sometimes you can also see the larvae or moths flying around your kitchen. Unfortunately, these moths can take six to eight weeks to complete their life cycle, so getting rid of them can be a constant struggle. It’s also frustrating to deal with because you have to limit the amount of pesticides you use in the kitchen; You can’t exactly spray pesticides on your box of Cheerios, right? So here is how to do it:

1. Identify all the places where moths are present.

2. Clean these areas exceptionally well.

3. Remove all items from areas.

4. Clean Area Thoroughly:

* Vacuum all surfaces, walls, shelves, cabinets, rugs, etc.

* Scrub hard surfaces with a mixture of hot water and detergent. Scrub every inch because moth larvae can get into even the smallest spaces. If the shelf is removable, take it out and clean the edges and walls around it. Clean all surfaces that come into contact with food, including the spice rack.

* Follow scrubbing with a vinegar rinse. Put some white vinegar in a spray bottle, cover and wipe, or apply directly to a cloth and wipe all over.

5. Moths are likely to originate from one or more of the foods previously stored in this area. Discard all grain-based foods, even if they appear to be well-sealed. Also discard the nuts, raisins, flour, and tea. I know it’s hard to throw away all that food, but the alternative is not just reinfestation, but the possibility of eating moth larvae… yummm.

6. All remaining food containers and items should be thoroughly cleaned with the same detergent/water solution and vinegar rinse before returning to the freshly scrubbed area. A single egg or caterpillar left hanging from something can start this all over again, so be thorough.

7. Kill moths left flying in the air. You can do this with a fly swatter or moth traps. There are many commercial moth traps available, check with your local home improvement store.

Pantry Moth Reinfestation Prevention

Once the initial infestation is gone, take steps to prevent pantry moths from coming back. If you bring home grain-based products, immediately put them in the freezer for four days before storing them in your pantry. This will kill any eggs or larvae already inside. Store your moth biscuits in airtight containers made of hard plastic, glass, or metal, not plastic bags. The best way to determine if a container is truly airtight is to fill it with water and check for leaks. If you have frequent moth problems, consider storing all your grain-based products in the freezer instead of the pantry.
moths on your clothes

If you find moths on your clothing, the approach is much the same; interrupt their life cycle by killing the eggs and larvae. All clothing that is possibly infested should be laundered or dry cleaned. After you have done that, put the clothes in the freezer; smaller items can be placed in large Ziploc brand bags and frozen for two to three days. Take them out to thaw and then shake them vigorously to remove any dead larvae.

Next, clean the place where the clothes were stored. However, use a bleach solution and clean it thoroughly being careful to get into all the nooks and crannies. If it’s a closet, remove the shelves and rods. If it’s a dresser, remove the drawers and clean the bottom and interior surfaces; moth eggs and larvae can hide even in cracks.

Most of the houses in Florida are remodeled, be it a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, etc. The latest trend in Florida is bigger bathrooms. Larger bathrooms mean more space for a Jacuzzi. Many houses in Florida have smaller bathrooms.

While remodeling your bathroom, look for basic luxuries like jetted tubs, double shower heads, shower systems, and also add body sprays to the shower area. Nowadays, people also install stereos and televisions in their bathroom to enjoy bath time to the fullest.

If you’re on a budget, just change the color of your bathroom walls, shower curtains, and window treatments. If you’re not worried about budget, you can give your bathroom a new look by updating appliances, breaking and rebuilding bathroom walls to add more space, redoing your plumbing, and optimizing your bathroom space. Some important remodeling options to consider include:

You can put a picture on the bathroom wall. Place your soaps, bath salts and pretty toiletries in antique bowls or shaving mugs and add colorful beads and a cheap faux pearl necklace for a romantic effect. You can also place scented candles on your counter to make your bathroom smell nice. You can put a wicker table or chair in large bathrooms as they have more space. You can repaint your wood cabinets. Many homes in Florida have decorative wood beam ceilings and mirrored wall cabinets.

Bathroom remodeling doesn’t mean tearing down and rebuilding. With just a few changes, you can give your bathroom a new look. You can put fresh flowers in unusual vases such as wall vases, planters, etc. You can replace your bathroom cabinet door with a Victorian screen door or framed trellis.

If you have a small bathroom and a small budget, then you can also remodel your kitchen. The first thing to look for is to find a bathtub or shower that can fit in the allotted space. Choose a bathtub or shower that is within your budget.

There are several compact baths available. These are designed to save space. Both Kohler and American Standard have a line of compact toilets. Choose an elongated or correct-height toilet for comfort. Another idea is to go with a corner toilet.

Other designs or tips:

Lighting/curtains: Since most older houses are quite dark, choose brightly colored curtains. Add lots of lighting over your mirrors and even over your bathtub area. It can brighten up the room and even brighten your morning.

Shelving – Small tub can provide additional cabinet space at the foot of the tub. This provides more storage space for towels, essential oils, bubble baths, etc. Consider built-in glass shelves and towel racks, robe hooks, etc.

There is no industry standard when you want to check the quality of white marble tiles. However, there are many ways to judge the quality of these stones. You can understand the factors that make them stronger or weaker. This helps you a lot in choosing the right stone for your interior design. Some of the most common ways are listed below:

1. When visiting a marble supplier, judge the stones by looking at the back of the stone. You should look for a clean surface without a mesh or net cover. The presence of a net or mesh on the back indicates a weaker stone. This is prone to breaking, cracking, etching, and scratching.

2. When examining the surface of the marble under a light at a 45 degree angle, you should not find small, dull patches. These opaque patches indicate filling. This is done to fill any surface pores or holes in the otherwise smooth polished surface.

3. Some varieties of white marble tiles have this filler only if they are of low quality. High-quality stones do not have holes or pores. Avoid stones with a lot of fillers, as they can lead to further stone damage.

4. While shopping for marble stones, be sure to look at the veining on the surface. Turn the stone over and check for cracks or fissures. Sometimes you can find cracks along the veins on the back of the stone. Stones with small cracks or fissures can still be used for walls and low-traffic areas.

5. Learn more about the quality by knowing the hardness factor of the stone. Stones with a low hardness factor may have qualities such as fillers or cracks, but still have a high quality. Stones having a high hardness factor with the same qualities are assumed to be of low quality.

6. Check that the shapes and edges are even. Straight edges result in an even grout. Stones that are not perfectly shaped upset the floor plane and make cutting, installing, and grouting difficult.

7. Look for a uniform thickness across the entire surface. Uneven thickness results in an uneven floor and can cause accidents in the home.

8. The polishing of the stones is another factor to take into account. Quality polish will not have swirl marks.

Here are some of the tips that can help you judge the quality of white marble tiles. Marble is a durable building material and provides great looking interiors.

Deciding to build a pond is an exciting process, but before you start digging, there are many things you need to decide before construction begins and order your supplies. The first major decision is what type of water feature you want. We will be talking about informal ponds that are irregularly shaped and mimic a natural pond or waterfall that would be found in nature. Three different ways to build an informal pond are a water garden pond, a traditional Koi pond, or a hybrid Koi pond.

water garden pond

Water garden ponds are often confused with Koi ponds simply because many people add Koi to their water garden along with Goldfish and other fish species. The difference is that these types of water features are primarily designed for looks and creating an environment where owners can sit and listen to the beautiful tunes of a waterfall and watch fish swim by and spend time with family and friends. And a traditional Koi pond is built around providing an ideal environment for Koi fish.

Water garden ponds are the most popular of the three due to the ease of installation and the availability of kits on the market. Water Garden ponds usually consist of a biological waterfall filter, a mechanical filter which is usually a skimmer, a flexible EPDM liner, a pump and pipes, fish and aquatic plants.

Most water gardens are only 2 feet deep and have built-in shelves to keep them safe and natural in appearance. The entire bottom and shelves are covered with boulders and decorative gravel to hide the lining and filters.

This system forms a natural ecosystem with fish, plants and filters working to balance itself and do most of the maintenance using good mother nature.

Traditional Koi Pond

Beware, the Koi hobby can be very fun and addictive! Once people discover the joys of owning koi fish with a water garden, many go crazy for koi (or koi-kichi). Traditional Koi ponds aim to create a home where the Koi can grow and thrive and are the main focus of the feature rather than the pond itself.

There is a big difference between the construction techniques used in a water garden pond and a traditional Koi pond. In a Koi pond, the filtration system is drastically increased over a water garden to handle the additional bioload of the Koi. These filtration systems typically include pressure filters, skimmers, bottom drains, settling tanks, external pumps, UV lights, UV clarifiers, aerators, ozone generators, bead filters, manifold valves, and more. So, as you can see, the design and installation of these systems can be difficult for a beginner.

Their shape is also generally different, usually Koi ponds have a geometric shape like an oval or a circle. Traditional koi ponds have no plants or gravel like a water garden would, and have steep walls with no shelves. Not using shelves and having a deeper depth (3 to 5 feet) helps protect the koi from predators by not allowing them to stand by the pond and pull them out of the water.

The added filtration and the absence of gravel and plants give koi better water quality and provide an environment where they are less likely to be harmed. Without plants you can also see the Koi better.

Hybrid Koi Pond

Hybrid Koi ponds are the combination of a water garden pond and a traditional koi pond. Think of it as the best of both worlds. You can provide your fish with a better environment than with a water garden pond alone and also have plants for a natural look.

The design of hybrid type ponds varies from project to project and all types of filtration can be used depending on the needs of the water characteristics. Backwashable biological filters have become popular with this type of installation to facilitate maintenance of the biofilter. Hybrid Koi ponds are in the middle of the road with a depth that is typically 3-4 feet deep.

What to choose?

Whichever type of pond you choose, you can’t go wrong. Each one properly designed will be like bringing a piece of paradise to your home.

The farmhouse style of kitchen design is characterized by a colorful and comfortable feel that is created by painted or decorated cabinets, baskets, beadboard walls and natural fiber rugs, and distressed surface finishes, as well as colors that one would expect to find in a garden.

The cabin-style kitchen can have a lot of accessories, but you need to avoid going overboard so the clutter doesn’t distract. The farmhouse style of kitchen design is also known for floors that are bare, with the exception of the occasional rug.

The farmhouse style of the kitchen design evokes images of a bright and airy room that is charming and informal. The breezy, uncomplicated feeling one finds in a summer cabin. The cabins evoke vacations by the sea, a local countryside or a cabin in the mountains. The mood is always relaxed, unpretentious and casual. Simplification is the prominent feature of the farmhouse style of kitchen design.

Due to the fact that cottage-style kitchens are small, they usually have a cool and open floor plan, which can function with ease as well as being a place to entertain.

In order to create the farmhouse feel for your kitchen, you need to look for accessories such as housewares, bedding, and furniture that you will choose for your kitchen. Some examples are using aged, stained and butcher white surfaces around the kitchen, striped vintage towels and dish towels, an old antique kitchen clock or displaying dishes on open shelves above a window or door. Other accessories may include stoneware pots, glazed earthenware, and glass pitchers. You can also place a pitcher of fresh cut flowers to create more cottage charm.

It takes time to create a farmhouse style for your kitchen. You can’t just find farmhouse style all at once and in one store. The kitchen should look as if it has slowly acquired this look over a period of time to achieve a neater look.

Furniture in a cabin-style kitchen may include cabinets made of pine or maple. Furniture details are an important element of the cottage style. Furniture may be painted white or lacquered, it may also include features such as curved legs on base cabinets and old-fashioned molding around cabinets and tables. Or a large work table that can also be a dining space for the family. Pieces may include a farmhouse-style kitchen table with beechwood chairs.

A cottage-style kitchen stove, with a decorative wood range hood, can be used, as well as a large ceramic single-bowl sink or a farmhouse-style sink with an apron.

Knobs rank high as the dominant hardware of choice for cottage-style kitchen design. Design elements include embossed porcelain and stoneware, semi-gloss periwinkle blues, creams, and whites work well. Also look for designs woven from wire or bamboo.
Paint can be used to create a cabin-style kitchen design. The wooden floor can be painted in a striking color. Walls can be painted with warm yellows or blues that can be matched with the tones and colors of kitchen cabinets, wall tiles, window treatments, and other kitchen accents.

Seems like old Ben Franklin was ahead of his time. With the nation in economic crisis, at no time has the adage “A penny saved is a penny earned” been more relevant. And while it may seem like an impossibility in today’s financial climate, there are plenty of ways to save quite a bit of money when it comes to renovating your kitchen. To keep things simple, let’s focus our savings efforts on the heart of the room: the kitchen cabinets.

In a recent article titled “Save a Penny With Your Kitchen,” the Post-Bulletin offered some “pennies-in-the-wall” tips for achieving satisfying results in the kitchen. Among his advice was:

Paint/Finish: “Not only is it the least expensive of almost anything you can do, it can have the biggest impact. Changing the color will create a new canvas to update the look in just a day or two.” That advice is fine and great if your existing kitchen cabinets are in good shape, but what if they need an overhaul? Look for a kitchen cabinet manufacturer that offers pre-assembled and ready-to-assemble cabinets in a variety of finish colors. Cream and white cabinet finishes add a fresh, clean appeal to your kitchen. Warm woods like cider, oak, bay, and hickory bring attractive appeal to kitchen cabinets. Darker woods like Nile gloss, burgundy, and Ruxton brown give it a rustic cabin flavor.

Cabinets: “Buy in-stock items or semi-custom cabinets that can give you custom craftsmanship.” Opting for pre-assembled and ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets saves you not only money but also time. That means you’ll be able to start enjoying your new kitchen much faster than you would if you had to wait for custom cabinetry options. However, don’t feel like you’ll lose that personalized attention to detail by choosing pre-assembled or ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets. Select a kitchen cabinet manufacturer that offers a variety of customization options for its pre-assembled and ready-to-assemble cabinets. Some of the additional features you can still expect to enjoy include accent molding, turn trays, drop-down trays, infills, light rails, matching baseboards, special end panels, and heat shields.

Increase storage: The Post-Bulletin expert “sees clients switch from a U-shaped layout to an L-shaped layout and add an island or increase the size of the island to include an eating space…the homeowner can have a new look and more storage and efficient use of space.” To that end, look for a manufacturer of ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled kitchen cabinets that offers an online design tool. In this way, you can plan your new kitchen down to the last detail, thus ensuring that your new pre-assembled or ready-to-assemble kitchen furniture fits together correctly. In this case, there’s another old adage you can ignore: “Measure twice, cut once.” That’s because the well-rounded kitchen cabinet maker takes all the guesswork out of the equation for you!

By adhering to the helpful tips and planning guidelines above, you can create an attractive and functional kitchen, as well as ensure that your project is completed to the best of its ability…all without spending a dime. Our wise founding father, Ben Franklin, would surely approve.

Creating a themed room is easy with country paint colors. This design aesthetic may remind you of your grandmother’s house, but changing the color palette brings it up to date. You may just want a country room so you can incorporate existing furniture and your favorite accessories into the room.

Country paint colors may use neutrals. This will keep your house from looking like a restaurant or even a barn. You may want a bright and airy look while staying within a country theme. This also ensures that you can work with existing appliances, fixtures, and countertops to save money on a remodel. You may want to decorate in neutral colors just so that when you go to sell your home it will appeal to a wide range of people.

If you’re going for an all-white country room, you’ll need to add architectural elements that have texture. This could include spray painting a bunch of ornate frames. This makes decorative accessories cheap because you can buy mismatched frames at thrift stores. Add white shutters to the window. You can spruce up a plain room by simply putting bead boards on the walls or cabinets and that adds a country feel. Then you can give the room mass appeal with more intricate molding; you can even add them to the ceiling.

For a country room, you can go for a vintage effect or use rustic wall décor. You may want to layer brown and red over metal hardware or light fixtures in the room for a rustic look. You can also create a quilt effect on your wall with the simple use of color. You may want to use this on just one wall or half a wall so it doesn’t overwhelm your room. Paint large blocks of color. If you are afraid it will look too busy, simply use a tone-on-tone effect using colors from the same paint chip. The closer the colors are on the chip, the more subtle your room will be.

You may have to work with white walls if you are renting. You can still have a country style; just bring touches of home. This may mean adding lace drapes over modern blinds or bringing in a bedspread that has a homey feel. If you can’t add color to the walls, go for rustic western furniture. You can paint this furniture a deep barn red or a country blue. You can sand the edges to give even contemporary pieces a bit of flair and a sense of history. This way, you’ll have a removable color in your room and can make a matching furniture set with the odds and ends to save money.

Paint schemes and country colors add a rustic touch to a room. Color has a huge impact on a room and is one of the cheapest ways to decorate. You can make a simple apartment feel like home by adding the right colors.

Considering a master bath remodel? Updating your master bathroom is a great investment in your home. Not only will you enjoy all the comfort and convenience of your master bathroom remodel, but this major home remodel will also add value to your home.

When it comes to remodeling a bathroom, you have options. You may be interested in a smaller remodel with simple changes like a fresh coat of paint, extra bookshelves and storage racks, or new towels, mirrors, and other fixtures. If you have a larger budget and higher bathroom remodeling plan, it may include turning a traditional tub shower into a walk-in shower and upgrading your toilets, cabinets, floors, lighting, and sinks.

Before you finalize your plans for a bathroom remodel, learn about the latest design trends, materials, and options. You want to make sure you get the most out of your investment and even enjoy a return for months and years to come.

3 trends in bathroom design

1. Tub showers facing out, walk-in showers facing in: Shower tubs, while still functional, are less stylish for bathroom remodels. Showers are beginning to replace bathtubs due to their functionality and extensive design options. Today, many showers are made of different types of materials, including: marble, granite, tile, and glass. Bathtubs tend to look stagnant with their simple porcelain design. Ditching the tub for the sleek and spacious look that a walk-in shower offers can definitely add a fresh look. While growing families may require a bathtub for younger children, a walk-in shower can be just as functional for older ones. A walk-in shower provides more accessibility and options to customize the look of your new bathroom.

2. Pull out the rugs, lay out the tiles: Let’s face it, throwing out rugs in the bathroom is usually a thing of the past. These pieces of fabric become a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and even tripping hazards. Instead of adding a piece of mat or tile, why not select a stylish mosaic design to bring functional elegance to your bathroom? Today there are so many shapes, styles and colors of tiles that you will love the way you can transform this space. Your tile should reflect your new bathroom style and add character to the space. For tile options, you can consider something unusual like wood-look tiles or newer metallic designs, or you can go for a timeless classic like subway tile. There are so many options available like faux wood, Mediterranean tile art, or even the ever-popular subway tile.

3. Strong colors outside, soft colors inside: Many bathroom remodels involve putting an attractive design into a limited amount of space. Strong colors are not your friend if you have a small bathroom. Bright, hard, or dark colors often close off a space. Soft, more neutral colors will brighten up your area and add a fresh, open look to your bathroom.

When remodeling your bathroom, consider the latest bathroom trends, including the three listed above, before making any design decisions. No matter what space you’re working with, you can make any size bathroom a personal haven.

Working with an experienced bathroom remodeling company will make the bathroom renovation process much easier for you. A bathroom design team can tell you about all your options and help you choose the best materials for your remodel.