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2F: Around the house
Things that might come in handy.
By JUDY STARK
Published December 9, 2006
Granite countertop for Christmas, anyone? Granite tile isn't new, but granite tile that comes with 90-degree corner pieces and built-in 11/2-inch bullnose edges and that can be installed by a contractor or a reasonably competent do-it-yourselfer is something different. As seen on the HGTV show I Want That! the Benissimo granite-tile system calls itself "an affordable alternative to slab granite." The tiles come in 12 colors and two edges, 12 by 12 by 3/8 inches, and are installed with minimal seams (1/8-inch) to mimic the look of a solid piece of granite. Tiles can be used on islands, counters, hearths, decks, stairs, showers and tubs. Slab granite typically costs $48 to $51 per square foot installed. At Gulf Creations in Tampa, sales manager Scott Bloom says he can install Benissimo for $29 a square foot, a price that's competitive with high-end laminate and entry-level solid surface (such as Corian). The tiles eliminate the long lag time to create a template and cut a slab of granite, Bloom said. Details and videos are at www.benissimosystems.com. The local distributor is Parksite Surfaces in Tampa: (813) 623-6177. What can't bamboo do? Perhaps you prefer a wooden countertop. Consider bamboo, which is 16 percent harder than maple. Totally Bamboo (www.totallybamboo.com) offers laminated countertop sheets for $35 a square foot. From the dryer to the sink For the kitchen scientists - literally! - among us: To clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan, put a Bounce dryer sheet in the pan, fill with water, let it sit overnight, then sponge clean. How it works: The antistatic agent in the dryer sheet weakens the bond between the food and the pan, the wizards at Procter & Gamble say. Built-in marital therapy It's what you'd dream about if you could sleep long enough to dream: a snoring room. Offered in new construction, these are second bedrooms adjacent to the master, retreats when one partner snores like a truck all night. "A godsend for millions of relationships," says Chicago realty agent and author Mark Nash, who put them on his 2007 list of what's in and out. Compiled by Homes and Garden editor Judy Stark
[Last modified December 7, 2006, 12:18:59]
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