ArcaMax

Get a Perfect Paint Match

Dear James: We had some water leakage wall damage. I need to repaint it, but I don't have the original paint can. What is the best way to get a good color match on the repair? -- Emma G.

Dear Emma: Getting a perfect match with an old painted wall is a tedious job that takes patience, so make sure you are not in a big ...Read more

Dear James: I'm older now, and I find it difficult to hear the doorbell ring over other family sounds. Is it easy to add another chime at the other end of the house? -- David R.

Dear David: Installing a second doorbell chime is an easy project you should be able handle yourself. Even with a loud standard doorbell, it can still be difficult to ...Read more

Dear James: It's been just two years and the wallpaper I installed is separating and bubbling in many spots. When I remove it and install new wallpaper, how can I make sure this does not happen again? -- Randy P.

Dear Randy: Wallpapering is not as simple as many think, and there is a learning curve to doing it properly. Hopefully your second ...Read more

Dear James: I want to spruce up my house with an impressive new floor for the front door foyer. With three children, it needs to be durable. What is a good type of flooring to consider? -- Nancy F.

Dear Nancy: Durable, stain-resistant slate is an excellent choice for an impressive appearance. It is an excellent flooring material for any foyer ...Read more

Dear James: We have a moderate-size kitchen, but it still seems crowded at times. When we remodel it, how can we use the "kitchen triangle" conception to improve convenience? -- Missy T.

Dear Missy: The family's epicenter in most homes is the kitchen. Even with a large kitchen, there can be many times when you find your kitchen to be too ...Read more

Dear James: My kitchen cabinets are original and solid, but I want something different, hopefully on a budget. Is it possible to just paint old cabinets instead of replacing the fronts? -- Ryan M.

Dear Ryan: Any older kitchen could probably use a little updating and a new, modern color is an excellent, budget-minded way to start. Painting the ...Read more

Dear James: I have to replace my old, tarnished brass kitchen faucet. What are the basic steps to installing one, and are there any new types of brass faucets that won't tarnish? -- Karen F.

Dear Karen: There is a brass fixture finishing technology that protects the brass so it will not tarnish. The brass body of the fixture is coated with a ...Read more

Dear James: My parents' older house had plaster walls, but most builders now use drywall. I'm making a room addition. Which interior wall material is best to use? -- Melanie N.

Dear Melanie: From the standpoint of function and appearance, plaster is clearly the better interior wall surface material. Lucky for you, real plaster walls are making ...Read more

Dear James: I want to try building a backyard deck myself, but I have no idea what the best materials are or even where to start. Do you have any general design and construction tips? -- Susan R.

Dear Susan: In addition to being enjoyable to use, a new deck will likely add more value to your house than the cost of the materials. This also is a ...Read more

Dear James: I want to reduce the noise from my children's playroom. I'm thinking of installing acoustical tiles. Are there attractive ones and can I install them myself? -- Lance A.

Dear Lance: Most people are familiar with acoustical tiles from school classrooms and commercial applications. There are some attractive ones available for homes. ...Read more

Dear James: The grout in our master bathroom shower stall is looking pretty bad and some pieces are crumbling. Do I have to remove some tiles, or can I just fix the bad spots and regrout? -- Angie M.

Dear Angie: In most cases, you probably won't have to remove any tiles. As long as they are still in good condition and only the grout is falling ...Read more

Dear James: To match my other stainless steel appliances, I should install a stainless steel sink. Is it difficult to install one myself so I don't go over budget? -- Oscar T.

Dear Oscar: If you want a modern and stylish look in your kitchen, stainless steel cannot be beat. Since you already have most of your kitchen looking new, you might as ...Read more

Dear James: We could use more storage space, so we plan to install shelving on the utility room walls. What are the best types of wood and anchors to use? -- Amber R.

Dear Amber: Selecting the proper anchor is as important as using the proper type of wood or composite shelving materials. To simplify things, you can buy complete kits with the ...Read more