lighting

"The sink and vanity areas are becoming the artistic and aesthetic focus of today''s bathrooms, with hand-blown glass and vessel sinks gaining in popularity," says a certified bathroom designer. Hand-painted porcelain tile on countertops and walls around the vanities are also popular for their limitless color and pattern possibilities. Storage space is critical, with vanities on either side of pedestal sinks, low-hung cabinets and even dressers for undergarments incorporated into the overall design. Cabinets should be furniture-grade with accents that complement the bedroom furniture. Most are oak or maple in natural or light tints."Extra attention should be paid to such details such as outlets inside tower cabinets for hair dryers, electric shavers or other electrical appliances as well as ironing boards and hampers built inside closets,"

Disconnect the trap from the tub, remove any clips, fasteners or screws that hold the tub to the wall, and demolish the old cast iron tub with a sledgehammer Remove the sink and toilet. Turn off the electricity, at the main panel and remove light fixtures. Cap the wires with wire connectors. Then rip out the wall finishes and surfaces clean down to the studs and pull out any insulation. If your ceiling is in good shape, use a utility knife to cut the drywall along the edges so the wall materials will separate cleanly from the ceiling. You can complete the glass block project the first weekend Converting a bathtub with a conventional window above it to a shower is dicey business, but the result is striking. Order a premade glass block window to fit your existing opening . Look under "Glass Block" in the to find a supplier.The key to a weatherproof, attractive glass block window both inside and out is to encase it in a custom-built wooden frame with inside dimensions that are 1/2 in. taller and wider than the panel itself. That will give you room to adjust and shim the panel exactly and then inject expanding foam between the frame and the panel to lock it into the opening

Later in the year fans needn''t stop spinning at the end of summer. Wintertime energy savings are possible by reversing the direction of the fan blades--from counterclockwise to clockwise, when seen from below--to force the air upward. Moving in this direction and set at low speed, a fan will gently push hot, trapped ceiling air to the walls and down toward the floor, a process called heat reclamation. Since the air isn''t blown forcefully downward, you won''t feel draftiness or chill. Manufacturers report savings of up to 10 percent on winter heating bills through heat reclamation. Size and speed Choosing a fan that suits the size of the room is important for energy savings and comfort. Fans are measured by blade span, with the 52-inch five-bladed fan being the most common: It is appropriate for rooms up to 400 square feet. The 44-inch fan will adequately serve rooms up to 225 square feet; the 42-inch works for rooms up to 144 square feet; the 36-inch fan is for rooms of 100 square feet or less. Fan motors can be set at low, medium, or high speed.