Relax the Back Store is now OPEN!

Through our partnership with Relax the Back, we are able to bring their entire collection of mattresses, pillows, massage, office, and recliner chairs, and more to the Craftsman Home Remodeling website.

Be sure to Check Out Relax The Back Clearance Items to see if there are any deals to be had.

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The Lighting Store is now OPEN!

Through our partnership with Lamps Plus, we are pleased to bring their entire collection of lighting to the Craftsman Home Remodeling website.

The Gourmet Food Store is now OPEN!

Remodeling is hard work and takes a lot out of you so I decided to open up a Gourmet Food Store right here on the Craftsman Home Remodeling web site.

Gourmet Food Store is an epicure's paradise, an online store for those who love great food and great ingredients. We offer you the ultimate selection of international specialty foods such as caviar, cheese, foie gras and pate, gourmet chocolates, oils and vinegars, smoked salmon, specialty meats, teas, fresh truffles, and many other gastronomic delights. Explore the best and most elegant foods in the world at prices that will amaze you. Bon appetit!

The Rug Store is now OPEN!

The Rug Store is now officially open.
Through our partnership with eSaleRugs.com, we are able to bring their entire 20,000+ collection of rugs to the Craftsman Home Remodeling website. With over 20,000 Persian rugs, Oriental rugs and area rugs in stock, eSaleRugs.com is the world's leading retailer of hand-woven and hand-knotted tribal rugs, traditional rugs and modern rugs.

Be sure to check out the Coupons/Rebates page to see if there are any deals to be had.

Craftsman Curtain Rod Brackets

It has been awhile since I posted here so let me give you an update on the curtain rod brackets and show you what we did. My contractor wanted a web site and I needed curtain rod brackets so we bartered services. I had leftover wood and it was easy for him to manufacture so we had a win-win situation here.

The brackets are made from my leftover Honduran mahogany. Here are the long awaited pics of the unfinished brackets and the finishing process.

Here you can see a complete bracket and the two halves that make it up.

The brackets are match drilled. We had to number them to keep the sets together.

All of my materials: curtain rod brackets and Varathane clear semi-gloss.

Taking all of the brackets apart in preparation for finishing. Ebony plugs will fill the holes.

The brackets are apart and ready for finishing with Varathane.

Asbestos Removal and Greener Alternatives

There are many things to consider when remodeling or purchasing an older home. Homes built before 1980 have the strong likelihood of containing asbestos. Due to a steady progression of technology and green sustainable methods, there are many ways to ensure your home or property is asbestos free. If you are interested in saving money, remodeling and improving your carbon footprint, here is some information to get you on the right track.

Used in millions of homes throughout the last quarter of the 20^th century, asbestos insulation can become a real dilemma for homeowners due to causing a variety of health problems, including Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Malignant Mesothelioma. These types of cancer take the lives of thousands each year.

Non-regulated asbestos material can be legally performed by homeowners, regular contractors, or licensed asbestos abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated.
Asbestos removal in public facilities, homes and workplaces must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Once the removal is complete, green insulation options should be given serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lcynene.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), in a study conducted in 2003, estimated a savings of $50-$65 per square foot for well-constructed green buildings in the U.S. (see table below) during that year. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available, and those kinds of figures have finally begun to attract those who thought eco-friendly construction was just a bunch of hogwash.

Craftsman Curtain Rods and Curtains

After 2 years of living here, we are getting ready to put up curtains and rods. The problem we have been having to this point is what will look good and compliment all of the wood. Well, we found something we like but the problem is that it costs anywhere from $200-$400 per curtain rod. The rods are made of oak with small ebony inserts as you can see in the picture.

If you remember, I have a lot of mahogany and ebony left over from the job so we will be using that and make it ourselves. On a related note, my contractor Rich Wright asked me if I could create a web site for him in exchange for some work I may need done. What great timing! Rich will be building the curtain rods in exchange for his site.