A fast facelift for your bathroom is an accessory change; even a new shower curtain, or counter top accessories can update a tired bathroom. However, going a step or two further and making quick, affordable permanent changes can really make your bathroom a more relaxing place to be! Here are some changes you can make:

Replace your sink, or update your faucet: A new sink and faucet won’t break the bank, and can really do a lot for your bathroom. If you don’t want to get new fixtures, think about taking apart the faucet handles and soaking them in vinegar to remove hard water stains, it will only take a screwdriver, and a few minutes!

Repaint the walls and ceiling: Try changing the color on the walls, or just repaint; fresh paint always helps a room!

Remove and replace old caulking: Anywhere there is caulking in your bathroom, the longer it is there, the more chance there is that it is dirty or cracking. Scrape off the old caulking completely before applying the new.

Re-Grout tile: Tile lasts nearly forever, but sanded grout does not! Scrap out your old grout (don’t let it go down the drain) and apply new grout. Consider switching to epoxy grout (read all instructions first!). Epoxy will not stain or crack over time.

Remove, paint, and replace your trim: This sounds complicated, but it is an easy task, and makes a bigger difference than you think!

Any one of these repairs can be done yourself in about 4 to 6 hours, or a professional should be able to accomplish them in about 2 hours; however you do it, any one, or all of these tasks will go a long way to freshening up your bathroom without costing you a ton of time or money.

How are you faring in the “doom and gloom” that the media is broadcasting? Do you find that you feel more apprehensive after you watch the morning/nightly news? You are not alone!

People are hanging on to more and more of their assets as the media continues to paint an ever-declining picture of the economy. What can you do to ensure that you are getting what you need, and more?

Do you have money in the markets? Don’t panic! Hanging on to your stocks for the long-haul is just one of the ways that you can ride through these times. It is the investors that panic and pull their funds out of the markets that keep plunging stocks lower and lower.

If you are like most Americans, you feel pressure to spend less. There are ways to spend smarter, still allowing you to live the lifestyle you are accustomed to.

1) Clip Coupons

Yes! Just like “the olden-days” there are coupons out there. Look in your local paper, and on the internet for deals on your favorite products and services.

2) Consolidate Trips

Have to go over the Narrows Bridge? Schedule appointments close together; ask a neighbor or a friend to go along; share the toll, the fuel, and some company!

3) Eat in!

If you think you can’t cook and find yourself going out instead, take a lesson from Julia Child (she was a “terrible cook” until she decided to learn!). You just may find that you enjoy making your own meals, and you’re probably a much better cook than you thought!

I had the pleasure of making a new acquaintance last week with Dave Jennings. Dave is the owner of That Kitchen Shop,–my wife’s favorite place to shop for genuine kitchen articles; and That Kitchen Shop Cabinets, a full service design / build showroom. Rebecca, my wife, says: “My favorite thing about That Kitchen Shop is that they stock the top brands, not just one, so you get to choose from a maker that you know and prefer. That’s what I love about them.”

We came across the showroom by accident while out for a drive. My first impression of That Kitchen Shop Cabinets was the best I have encountered in all of my 27 years in construction. A designer by the name of Scott Seibert introduced himself, asked questions, and listened to everything I said; I liked him right away. I could tell He knows the secret to good customer service!

I became interested in working with him and asked for a meeting with Dave Jennings. Scott’s response was immediate and effective. In the calls I made prior to that meeting, Scott never made me wait long before returning my call. When I arrived at the appointed time, Kristi Gourneau greeted me at the front desk, and started my visit with the same attention to great service that I saw in Scott. I appreciate how this company is truly focused on giving every customer that comes through the door, the same exceptional treatment.

After meeting with Dave Jennings, I am convinced that exceptional service is their standard for doing business. What a refreshing find: A company that aims to exceed the standards of the everyday-humdrum-shopping experience. If you are ready for a positive change, and excellent customer service, step into That Kitchen Shop Cabinets, and prepare for the best accommodations in service, and craftsmanship, that Gig Harbor has to offer.

Bright, wet look of an Epoxy finish

A while back a customer called on me to help her with a problem she was having in her kitchen: She showed me the squeaky-clean, yellow tile she had on her counter tops. It still looked new as the day it had been put in; then she brought my attention to the grout that had begun as white, but which had turned brown over time. She had grown tired of scrubbing at it and had finally given up.

“It’s mostly dirt in there now because I have scrubbed out most of the grout,” she said. Scraaattttccchhh…….  A litter of… toast crumbs? — lay in a path where she had just drug her fingernail in between the tiles. “See what I mean; so how much to fix it?”

Problem: Concrete Tile Grout holds: Stains that are unsightly; bacteria that can be dangerous, and allows water to flow freely into surrounding wood work. All of these problems can lead to expensive repairs from dry rot, dangerous black mold, and mildew. It also creates an attractive environment that can lead to termites, carpenter ants, rodents and the like. Concrete Tile Grout requires periodic care and maintenance to keep it clean; while a determined do-it-yourself-er can accomplish this task, it requires time and patience. What then, is the up-side of Concrete Tile Grout? It is inexpensive, and easy to work with.

Solution: Epoxy Tile Grout is: water proof, stain proof, and maintenance free, and it retains its initial appearance year after year while it protects your investment from harmful damage by water intrusion. Epoxy Grout is superior to concrete for stain resistance because it is not porous, and it solves the problem of water penetration, and mold and bacteria as well. However, follow instructions carefully if you decide to do-it-yourself. An experienced professional will have a lot of practice working with this material which is quite different from concrete.

A Beautiful Finish!

So what do I use in my house? Epoxy is the rule. The initial added cost is negligible when compared to the timeless beauty that epoxy brings to every project I have ever used it on. I have removed cracking, unsightly, concrete along with the mold that was growing in it, and replaced it with new epoxy grout. The result was a beautiful tile floor or counter top that looked brand new again. So throw away that tooth brush, and hours of cleaning; go with epoxy grout and live in peace!

(My thanks to Rebecca Reece for editing this piece for me ~ James Kruger)

1982~Apprenticeship in Carpet, Vinyl, Rough, and Finish Carpentry.
James began his apprenticeship under a Journeyman carpet and vinyl layer.  Using that basic knowledge, he continued on to apprentice for 2 more years on a 9-man commercial crew where he learned how to work with woven carpets bearing names
like “Axminster” and “Whilton.”

1989~Apprenticeship in:  Tile, Hardwood, Plumbing fixtures.  Armstrong Certification
Seeking sun and sandy beaches in San Diego, James headed South and continued to work with woven carpets on a new team; ceramic tile, and hardwoods were often the work of the day, and he enjoyed working with the new materials.
While in California, James attended a workshop through the Armstrong Corporation where he learned flash coving techniques, and proper repair and installation requirements from the certified instructor of a world-class manufacturer.  James found the
study to be well worth the effort!

1993~Mud set-shower pans, Plastic laminate counters, Granite, Epoxy Grout Certification.
James returned back home to the Northwest with more tools and skills, in search of cooler winters and greener trees which he found that he really missed while in the heat of California.  Jon, a man in Clackamas, Oregon, challenged James to learn Plastic Laminate counters so he could work for Jon, so James attended an instructional class offered by the Nevamar Corporation.  The class also included a brief instructional on beginning techniques for solid surfaces.  James went on to install a great number of plastic-laminate counter tops with beautiful tile back splashes.
While James has not worked directly with Corian, or other materials of that nature, he became skilled at the process of making counter top templates, and used the skill often for other types of installations.
Over these 4 years, James’ tile work expanded into learning, and becoming profficient in building mud-set shower pans, and granite counter tops. He became skilled at achieving highly polished granite with a water fabricator.
Also during this time, the Laticrete Corporation offered an instructional course covering advanced tile installation concepts with the focus on Laticrete epoxy grout installation.

1997~To Present Day: full scale remodel, framing, drywall, paint, cabinets/counters and floors.
Starting in 1997 is when James began remodeling all, or parts of a kitchens and bathrooms on his own.  He has stripped, and re-built many kitchens and bathrooms from the studs-up in the last 12 years, and thoroughly enjoys working with his hands.

James’ Commitment to Excellence!
“Over the past 27 years of experience and practice I have learned how the best finish can only be achieved with the best beginning.  I build straight and plumb; I use the right materials, and I don’t take shortcuts.  The result of these commitments is a high quality, professional finish that will endure with beauty and in strength.  I believe that if you want something done right, careful and complete planning is the only way to achieve it. ~ James Kruger