Have you ever considered landscaping with rocks? Not only does this add some texture to your garden, but it is also very attractive and doesn’t have to cost the earth. The beauty of using rocks is that you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot on materials, as you might already find you have a wide variety of rocks on your land to begin with.

My wife and I decided to go for landscaping with rocks because we were constantly turning up stones in our garden. The stones came in all manner of shapes and sizes which made it easy to create deep and meaningful displays in simple arrangements.

The first idea we had was to knock up a circle of stones around the four small trees towards the right hand corner or our back yard. Landscaping with rocks around each of the trees really helped to define the space. Each tree had its own little collection of stones circling it, a bit over two feet in diameter.

After that success, we decided to use the flat rocks we kept finding to make a walkway. We found this to be quite different from the tree design, because of the sheer time and effort that was required to uncover the stones and arrange them suitably, particularly because of the bad weather we were experiencing at the time.

Next, We laid a sheet of plastic over the grass and weeds growing by the trees and used the stones we had already laid to weigh it in place. We then put some red mulch over the plastic which gave us a nice, professional look. This high priced look came at very low cost, with the only expenditure being that on the mulch and the plastic sheet.

My wife came up with the idea of digging a small ditch to hammer a spike into numerous parts of the clay earth. This went some way to help the land absorb more water, which was proving to be a problem. We then filled the ditches with gravel and sand, before arranging some stones over the top.

After a great deal of sweat and perseverance, the walkway was completed. This time-consuming task was well worth it in the end and turned out to be quite cheap, apart from the hours of work we put in!

On the whole, landscaping with rocks already in your garden is a cheap way to spruce up your garden and give it a modern feel. The colors and textures of the stones are beautiful and contrasting, and we frequently receive comments from our guests about how nice the garden is looking. We are so happy with our garden now, and especially satisfied that we achieved our goal cheaply and relatively painlessly with resources already on our land.

So why no give it a go yourself. If you’re creative, there are so many things you can achieve when landscaping with rocks. It’ll save you money, and you’ll by happy in yourself, knowing that you’ve really accomplished something that looks so professional off your own back.

Before you start, make sure you understand all of the wall’s functions and know how well they can be served when it’s gone. Check to be certain that the space the wall divides will not seem ill-proportioned without it. Note that besides serving as a partition a wall may carry pipes, wires or heat ducts. Keep in mind that although removing a wall may join two spaces together it does not actually add any more space than the few square feet in which the wall stands.

To size up the job, look the wall over. The number of outlets and switches will suggest how much wiring lies inside it. A bathroom directly above may be hooked to plumbing that goes down through the wall. From the basement you may be able to detect whether heating pipes or conductors rise within the wall.

If all you find is wiring that terminates at outlets in the wall, you can remove it when you break the wall. A hot-air duct connected to a wall register can be cut back to the floor and capped with a grid. Even if you encounter many pipes and cables, you may be able to remove the bulk of the partition and leave part of one end of the wall to carry the various conductors, which can be moved there by a plumber or an electrician.

More critically, you should be aware that the wall may bear weight from above, thus serving as a vital structural element of the house. If it does, you will have to limit the width of the opening to 14 feet, because a bigger span entails too many risks and difficulties. To replace the weight-carrying function of the wall, you will have to install a visible overhead beam, as well as end posts for this beam that may also be visible, so that instead of removing the wall without a trace you make an arch. These intrusions can be minimized by surfacing the structural members with wallboard to match the walls, or by positioning furniture, such as bookcases, to hide the posts.

The key clue to a load-bearing wall is joists crossing its top plates perpendicular to them. You may be able to see the direction of the joists from your attic; you may have to cut a peephole in the ceiling next to the wall to be removed. The basement can also yield clues. If you find a girder or a wall running under and parallel to the partition in question, you can be quite sure that the partition carries weight down to this support. If any doubt remains, assume that the wall bears weight.

As the converse of a load-bearing wall, a nonbearing wall usually runs parallel to the joists and perpendicular to the long walls of the house. Walls enclosing small spaces like closets are probably non-bearing walls – but be sure to check. Because nonbearing walls serve no structural function, they can be removed without leaving an arch.

For some people the most terrifying thing to run into in their home is a spider. However, most spiders look far worse than they really are. There are very few spiders that can actually harm a person. In fact, most spiders are actually helpful in getting rid of other pests. This is still not comfort, though, for most people who just wish to have a spider free home.

Chasing the Spiders Away

It can be very difficult to completely get rid of spiders. The best method is calling in a professional to completely spray your home. There are no major sprays on the market that you can buy to get rid of spiders and spider traps are only minimally effective.

You have to be diligent in order to really rid your home of spiders. You will need to knock down the webs and ensure the eggs are gone. A good way to do this is to sweep up the webs with a sweeper and then dispose of the bag or dump the canister outside.

Other Ideas to Try

People often come up with great ideas to help get rid of pests and that is true about getting rid of spiders. Here are some of the many ideas that people have offered on how to get rid of spiders in your home:

- Keep eucalyptus around the house because spiders do not like the smell. – Cats are great spider catchers. – Use an ammonia solution on windows to repel spiders. – Place hedge apples around your home. – Use lemon scented pledge to dust with.

Get Rid of Hiding Spots

Spiders will seek out wood and wood products, like cardboard. They also can hide in clothing items or under almost anything. Be sure to reduce the amount of clutter you have. In areas like attics, basements and closets you should keep sticky traps to catch any wondering spiders.

Following all of the above tips and ideas should help you to get a good handle on any spider problem you may have. If you find your home has brown recluse or black widow spiders, which can both cause serious health problems if they bite, then you really must contact a professional to spray your home. Make sure to get a guarantee, too, so if the spider problem comes back quickly they will spray again for free.

Adding a knockdown texture can add interest to any wall. But if you just paint the wall in a solid color, you will diminish the textured look. A great way to enhance or to bring out the knockdown texture is to apply a color wash faux finish to the wall. One way to do so is to use a brush to apply the color to the wall and literally wash the glaze into the wall.

You might need to blot off any excess glaze before applying the brush to the wall. Once the glaze has begun to dry, you can use a damp cloth to wipe off the glaze slightly. The paint that stays in the crevices will be darker than the surface of the knockdown, thereby causing the texture to become more pronounced. Once the finish is completely dry, you can add another color.

Another way of adding the color wash is to repeat the steps I have just described but instead using a brush, use a rag. It is always a good idea to practice on a poster board first. You can purchase a small container of texture spray that is used to touch up knockdown walls. Spray onto the poster board and let dry. Then paint it with the base coat you have on your walls.

This seems like a lot of work but it’s worth it. Many people skip this important step and proceed to faux paint right on the walls. Not a good idea! Why? Because if you are not pleased with the results, you have to paint the wall over again with the base coat. It’s easier to throw away the poster board and retest a new one. Don’t be in such a hurry. I have applied a color wash faux finish over many knockdown walls and the results have been stunning. Give it a try on your textured walls and see if you don’t agree.

Everyone loves to update their homes, and if you live in an older home in an appreciating neighborhood, it can be a fantastic investment. There are some pitfalls to avoid, which can cost a homeowner quite a bit of money because of no return on investment. However, it’s better to focus on what TO do and stay the course.

1) Raise the Roof!

Not literally, but gut the attic, and raise the ceiling in, at least, the living room. Older homes typically have 8 foot ceilings, and it’s one of the first characteristics that buyers notice. It’s relatively inexpensive, when you compare your return on investment, to demolish the ceilings of your older home and sheetrock over your new, vaulted ceiling. It’s amazing how much larger and lighter your home will feel.

2) Knock Down Walls

Literally, knock down as many walls as you can and still retain the integrity of the home, and the NECESSARY separation of rooms. If you compare older homes to newer homes, you’ll notice that older homes are typically “choppy” while newer homes feel “open and flow well.” This is due to “line of sight.” Newer homes opt for less separation in rooms. You can create this same feeling by demolishing a half-wall that separates your kitchen from the living room or knocking down the wall between the living room and dining room to create one grand room. You’ll be AMAZED at the difference it makes.

3) Overhaul Your Kitchen and/or Master Bathroom

These are the two rooms in the house that you can ALMOST go overboard and still get your money back when you sell the home. Refinish or replace the cabinetry, put in new tile and sinks – even install a new, stand-up shower! When (or if) you put your home on the market, you should see a GREAT return on investment.

4) Add a Master Bathroom

The 1-Bathroom houses from the 1970’s and earlier are now obsolete. Americans have decided that we like a private bathroom for ourselves and another bathroom for our guests and children. While 90% of the house additions are bad ideas because they don’t flow well or create poorly usable space, a master bathroom addition is a fantastic way to add more square footage, and more value to your home. Make SURE that your builder ties in the new slab to the old, and make sure that the addition is done properly. A poorly designed or executed addition never adds value – most buyers immediately imagine demolishing the work.

5) Xeriscape Your Lawn

It’s trendy, it’s cheap – it should be a go! Your homes curb appeal is the first thing that buyers notice, and it’s how buyers decide whether or not they’ll “click on your house” online to further investigate the interior. You can xeriscape a ¼ acre lot for around $3000, and you’ll more than make up for that when your home goes on the market. Furthermore, it’s environmentally & fiscally responsible. Stop wasting water!

6) Paint!

It’s fairly obvious, but painting your home modern, neutral colors makes a HUGE difference in the appearance of the home. And when you factor in the cost – roughly $0.75/s.f. – it would be a HUGE mistake to forego painting your home when you decide it’s time to modernize it. If you’re planning on staying in the home for some time, paint it whatever colors you wish, but plan on repainting right before it’s time to put it up for sale. If you plan on updating your home in order to sell it, go with neutral colors so that it will appeal to the widest audience.

7) Put in Wood Floors

You won’t ALWAYS get your money out of installing wood floors. If you’re in a great area, and it’s time to replace the floors, look at the cost difference between tile, pergo, and wood. If your home will sell for $250k+ then forget about pergo and, if you choose tile, make sure it’s not cheap tile. If the cost difference between wood and your other options is negligible, then go with wood – it appeals to the most buyers.

Updating your older home can be very fun, very rewarding, and potentially very lucrative. Older homes in established neighborhoods are ripe for updating and can draw a premium on the marketplace. Make sure and follow these guidelines, and you should see a great return on your investment.

The decision to attempt acoustic ceiling removal is not something most people jump into without a bit of forethought. There are both pros and cons to consider before making a choice to either keep that popcorn ceiling or scrape it off and replace it with some type of wall texture. I have tried to cover the most important issues in this article to help you make the choice best for your situation.

The Pros of Acoustic Ceiling Removal

The money: Acoustic removal usually increases the value and marketability of your home, sometimes dramatically. A textured ceiling is by most opinions far more appealing and buyers will pay for what they like. Removal reduces the nesting places for bugs such as dust mites and spiders. In my experience, it is more likely than not to see spider webs on close examination of an older acoustic ceiling. Because the rough acoustic ceiling texture tends to trap light and create a shadowing effect replacing with modern knockdown or similar texture can make the room appear much brighter and more open. The new ceiling can be painted the same color as the walls or a different color if you desire. You are not stuck with an “acoustic white” or one of the shades of yellow acoustic tends to turn over the years. Cleaning the dust and dirt that accumulates around ceiling vents and ceiling fans is next to impossible with out damaging and/or creating a mess of acoustic kernels on an acoustic ceiling.
The Cons of Acoustic Ceiling Removal

The money: Removing a popcorn ceiling, repairing the drywall, applying texture, priming and finally painting can be very expensive if done by a contractor. Sometimes acoustic is applied because that gnarly texture hides damage. Hidden drywall damage usually means more time needed from the crew’s drywall patch masters, along with additional material which of course equals more money out of your pocket. The removal process can be a lot of work if done yourself. There is a lot of information out there on the web to help guide you through the process. In fact, our site, BigRehab.com, has a systematic manual on the process. Removal is hard work that requires a certain level of skill, skill that only comes with experience. Before taking on the removal of an entire home, I highly suggest you get started by doing a small bedroom or office to size up what you are getting into. Many errors in coating the drywall or applying the texture will not be seen until the paint is applied and has dried. Some popcorn/acoustic ceilings contain asbestos. If your ceiling contains asbestos above the threshold level you must follow your state and local laws regarding removal and disposal of this hazardous waste product. This will include multiple air samples, protective clothing and respiration gear, specialized sealers, portable showers, heppa air filtration, etc. Can you see the dollars piling up yet? Asbestos removal is very expensive.

Popcorn or Texture

As you consider these issues and come to a decision do not overlook one of the most important factors: You. Is looking at those ugly ceilings something you want to do for the rest of the time you own your home? Ultimately optional home improvement projects such as removing your popcorn ceiling come down to what your desire is for the home you live in.

Once you have completed the main construction work you will be ready to consider dry wall finishes. Some prefer to keep a smooth finish and then either paint or paper. Some may opt for a textured finish to add an individual character to the room and to add some interest to a large plain wall. If you decide that you want to have a textured finish you have a choice of equipment. The size of the area that you are going to be treating may well be a contributing factor when making your choice. There are two different basic types of drywall texture machines and one of them will be certain to make your arms ache if you are considering a particularly large area.

The first, and most basic of the two machines is the hopper style machine. A large hopper is fixed to the top of a basic style spray gun. This is then loaded with the liquid texture mix and sprayed onto the wall. Although this is an ideal option for the do-it-yourself enthusiast you must consider the weight of the equipment plus the weight of the texture mixture and the length of time that you will have to hold this. If you have more than a couple of rooms to complete you may end up with aching arms which could compromise the end result. These units, however, are very economical and must not be dismissed. These drywall texture machines are readily available from DIY stores or drywall equipment suppliers and are not too expensive. If you have the time and energy available then they can be an economical and successful option.

Hopper drywall texture machines do require a little practice. The end result will depend on a variety of factors. If you want to achieve an orange peel, or splatter effect, you will need to use a light and runny mix and a high air pressure. You can then spray this onto the wall to create a light splatter effect. The thicker the mixture and the lower the pressure the bigger the splatters! You could then knockdown the peaks of these to give a slightly flattened effect. The choice is yours. You must, however, be consistent as any fluctuations in your style of application will be obvious on a large wall. This is one of the reasons why the hopper system is really only good for smaller areas… it is not easy to be consistent when you arms are starting to ache!

The next step up from the hopper system is trolley mounted dry wall texture machines. These have a larger tank and built in mixer. It is possible to hire these from DIY and rental stores, but it is also quite a good idea to enlist the help of a professional. He will bring his own equipment and expertise to the job and the difference, particularly if you are talking about a large and highly visible area, may be appreciated.