Fatal Fixer-Upper (29 page)

Home-Renovation and Design Tips

How to Mosaic a Tabletop, Counter, or Backsplash

. Decide on your materials and a color scheme. Incorporating sea glass and shells or broken pottery may look fabulous, but if an uneven surface will drive you insane, stick with tiles that match.

. Cover your surface with a single sheet of paper (any paper is fine, but something like plain newsprint will be less distracting). Cutting and taping is fine. Or use chalk to draw the pattern directly on the surface. . Arrange the pieces of tile on the paper-covered surface (no glue yet), working from the middle out to the edges and leaving inches between the pieces. Think of it as a jigsaw puzzle and look for contrast and complement.

. Leave it alone for a bit. Walk around it, see what it looks like from various angles, then rearrange the pieces if you change your mind.

. Lift the paper (carefully!) with your entire mosaic on it off the tabletop/counter. Or, if you've not bothered with paper, move to the next step.

. Transfer the pieces from the paper to the working surface one piece at a time, using tile adhesive to secure them and working from the middle out.

. Allow to dry fully.

. Mix your grout and apply it to the surface, forcing it in between mosaic pieces, molding it to irregular edges and smoothing it to the table's edge.

. Wipe any remaining grout off the mosaic pieces with a damp cloth, turning it frequently.

. Allow the grout to cure for at least a week before using the table or counter, misting frequently with clean water. Applying a layer of sealant is a good idea.

Tips

· Choose a sturdy surface (mosaic is heavy!).

· This technique can be used on just about any surface, but if you have a gorgeous marble tabletop, why would you want to change it? Your best bet is an unbreakable, porous one such as wood or particleboard. If the surface is very smooth (stone or glass), check the tile adhesive to make sure it will adhere to nonporous surfaces.

· Drawing a grid on your paper with a thick felt pen may help you lay out your design, particularly if you are Home-Renovation and Design Tips aiming for symmetry. (Or directly on the surface itself, with chalk or pencil.)

· If your mosaic incorporates odd-shaped pieces, you may want to apply the grout directly to the crevices bit by bit with your fi?ngers. (Directions for grout always tell you to glop it on and then wipe it off; this works well for fl?at tile surfaces but not as well for irregular surfaces.)

Kitchen-Renovation Costs and Ideas

Renovating your kitchen is usually the most cost-effective upgrade you make to your home. Even in an old house, most people opt to renovate or replace rather than restore:
I like the look of an old coal-burning or wood-burning stove, but I want my dishwasher and garbage disposal, thank you very much.
But you can replace your kitchen in a way that is still sensitive to the age of your house.

Cost Expectations

If you are remodeling your kitchen as a face-lift prior to selling it, it is recommended that you spend no more than to percent of the cost of your house. If you are going to remain in your house for more than five years, spend percent or more; in most cases you will recoup the entire cost of the renovation when you sell.

It's Going to Cost
How
Much?
 

Yep, kitchen renovation can be expensive. But there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

· Look for sales on everything!

· Use stock cabinets instead of custom cabinets or just reface the old cabinets. (Put on new doors, but keep the cabinets themselves.) Or give the existing cabinets a new look by painting or staining them.

· Simply putting in a new countertop can make a big difference.

· Keep the existing appliances if possible. If not, check out the scratch 'n' dent sales. Sometimes the dents aren't even visible, and you can save a bundle.

· Buy from the factory whenever you can, instead of going to a store. It's cheaper, and it takes less time to get your product.

· Try to keep existing plumbing and electrical, and don't make structural changes to the room; it's expensive.

· Make the most of small improvements like new paint, new wallpaper, new curtains, and decorations. Dollar for dollar, a new paint job gives you the biggest bang for your buck!

Use Lace to Create Vintage Kitchen Cabinets

Prepare Cabinet Doors

things you'll need

· Screwdriver

· Jigsaw

· Safety goggles

· Medium-grit sandpaper

· Stain or paint

. Steps

. Remove the cabinet doors from cabinets. 

. Take all hardware off the cabinet doors and store safely so you do not lose any fasteners or other small parts. 

. Wear safety goggles to cut out the center panel of each cabinet door with a jigsaw.

. Sand down any rough edges using medium-grit sandpaper.

. Apply a fresh coat of paint or stain to the cabinet doors now (if that is in your plans) before you add any lace insets.

Keep small children out of the area while working 
with the jigsaw.

Add the Vintage Lace Panels

things you'll need

· Vintage lace panels

· Measuring tape

· Scissors

· Industrial stapler

. Steps

. Measure the vintage lace and cut into panels approximately half an inch larger than the opening in the cabinet door.

. Stretch the vintage lace over the panel opening on the back of the cabinet door.

. Staple the lace to the back of the cabinet, using an industrial stapler.

If you don't have any vintage lace, you can make 
your own by soaking new lace in a solution of strong 
black tea. Soak the lace for at least an hour, and let 
dry
fl
at.

Hang the Cabinet Doors

. Steps

. Reattach the hardware to each cabinet door. 

. Mount each door onto the cabinet frame. 

. Enjoy looking at your new kitchen cabinets every day!