Working in home improvement, I get the wonderful opportunity to meet so many manufacturers and see first hand how their products can enhance and improve the homes we work so hard to maintain and enjoy. Here are just a few of my favorites:

I have one word to say…. MULTIMASTER! This power tool is amazing…and I mean it! When Fein asked me to do their infomercial, admittedly, I was a bit skeptical of a power tool with so many attachments…yes, it could do many things, but could it do each of them well? They sent me one to play around with and I took it to task on my house that was under renovation…let’s just say I couldn’t sign up fast enough to associate myself with this multifunctional wonder! And what’s best is that I have had the opportunity to work with Fein at trade shows and the number of people that have come up to personally tell me how much they love their MultiMaster is incredible. And these folks were across the board….professional contractors and homoeowners alike. Check it out for yourself…you’ll see that it truly is a master in helping you get those projects done!

Just when you think you have everything you need to get the job done, here comes the Jawhorse! This revolutionary tool is basically a second pair of hands! Whether you need to steady a standard or larger size door so you can shave down the edge, or you need a quick work bench out on the job site…the Jawhorse is always there for you. I love the versatility of all its uses. It is strong and durable and built to last a lifetime.

To check it out and see all it’s great uses, click HERE

You’re gonna love it just as much as I do!

Going through a remodeling project is no ease task. One of the many decisions that has to be made early in the process is what kitchen and bathroom fixtures you are going to use so the framer and plumber can plan ahead to make installation easier. For me, this was the easy part. I knew from the beginning that I wanted only Kohler products. My vision of the Masterbath truly came to life when I sat across from Kohler’s awesome design team and created the bathroom of my dreams. They have everything from spa and steam showers to bubble massage tubs. You can choose from very contemporary designs to more tradition ones.But no matter what your budget or style is, Kohler is truly unsurpassed in giving you the bathroom (and kitchen) of your dreams. Now I can say I finally have my Kohler bath…it’s the best room in the house!

Countertop space in a kitchen or bath is a premium luxury I just can’t live without. When it came time to decide what type of surface I was going to use in all these areas of my new home, I really did my homework. What I discovered was Cambria. Truly, there is no comparison when I weighed the advantages of Cambria to other natural stone surfaces. Did you know that a Cambria quartz surface, unlike granite, is non-porous making it resistant to stain? And because it is non-porous, it is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation for use in commercial food prep kitchens. But what I appreciate best of all is the unmatched beauty and color choices, it’s strength and durability, and that all I have to do to clean it is use warm water and a sponge! No sealing, polishing, or reconditioning…that leaves me time to work on other projects around the house that are far more demanding!

It was 1998 …the first time I had ever installed a Pella Window. Pat and I were on location for Fix It Up. We were going to be replacing several windows in our executive producer’s home and Pella was our choice. In our pre production meetings we had looked at several window manufacturers, but what set Pella apart was their quality, craftsmanship, and commitment to service. The fact that they hold over 100 product and design patents convinced us that they know windows! The best advantage I liked about Pella Windows was the ease of installation. So when it came time to choose the windows for my home, I knew I wanted Pella Windows. Once you compare, you’ll discover too; Pella Windows.

One thing I love about the Craftsman style design is the blending of so many different elements found in nature. My favorite is cedar. When I first met with the architect I said “Give me cedar!” And he pointed me to Cedar Valley. I am overjoyed to be using authentic cedar shingles. I looked at the cement shingles, and they were good, but they weren’t the real thing…and I wanted the real thing! And the best part of Cedar Valley is that they offer panels…one course (row), three courses (rows),or four or five courses (rows) for quick installation. Think of all the time and money saved over installing individual shingles. I love Western Red Cedar…now I can experience it everyday!

If you are looking for creative ways to revitalize tired or worn furniture, you definitely need to check out what Rust-oleum has got going on. Their line of American Accents Decorative Finishes have made it easier than ever to get that stylish look in a fraction of the time. Everything you need is in each kit to create a masterpiece. My favorites are the wide color choices of their Distressed line: Ivory, Antique Black, Heritage Blue, Cottage Green, and Vintage Red. Whether you like the distressed ivory look or the Pewter , Copper, Patina, or Gold finishes, you can transform everyday items into works of art! Find your inspiration at paintideas.com. You are going to love the artist in you!

Here in Georgia, we are no strangers to natural disasters. Tornado watches and warnings are common, especially in the spring. After seeing all the devastation in Florida in 2004 from the countless hurricanes, I realized that I needed to protect my family in the event of a power outage. That’s when I turned to the nice folks at Honda to learn all about their generators and how to chose the best one for my home. They were able to guide me in determining how many lights and appliances I wanted to be powered during an outage, the size to accommodate the power load, and how to safely operate it. Now I know that no matter what Mother Nature brings my way, at least the lights will be on!

I met Herb Stanley and his lovely wife, Shirley, several years ago at a home show on Long Island. When I saw his tiles, I knew that he had a hit. These tiles are so versatile. From the bath to the kitchen, their beauty is unmistakable for that contemporary or retro look. Plus, they are a snap to install with the easy adhesive squares you apply to the back. Check out his web site and you’ll see what I mean!