Versatile cordless drill is a must-have tool

By Matt Fox

Matt Fox and Shari Hiller created"Room by Room," the first show to airon HGTV. For more information,visit www.mattandshari.com.If the drill you are considering purchasing doesn't come with two batteries (which, thankfully, most do now), think twice. It is almost a necessity to have two batteries. Most of the chargers have a fast charge or a slow charge, and even though the fast charge may sometimes come in handy, opt for slow charging if you have two batteries. The battery on fast charge can generate a lot of heat, which can damage the battery. If you really need a fast charge, look for models that have "smart charge." These chargers have temperature sensors that protect the battery from overheating.When I purchased my first cordless drill the choices were slim, and as far as power was concerned, the highest voltage available was 9.6 volts. In cordless drill terms, higher voltage means more torque or power for the drill.When purchasing a cordless drill the battery is a big concern. When I purchased my first cordless drill it had a nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery (and charger, of course), and only one came with the drill. It held a charge for only a short time, and since I only had one battery, I often had to wait for the battery to charge or I pulled out my electric drill and found the nearest plug.Then do your price checking and see what you can afford based on the type of drill you want and need. The cordless drill is by far the one tool I wouldn't be without, and there should be one in your tool bucket, too.The handle of my first drill was a pistol type grip, with the handle located behind the motor forming the shape of a six-shooter. Newer models have a T-handle, with the handle below the motor and a battery compartment at the bottom of the handle. With the battery centered under the weight of the motor, the T-handle is well balanced and easier to control. I use both types, first because I'm frugal and hate getting rid of tools, but also because the pistol grip handle can fit into areas the T-handle can't because of the battery pack.By far the must-have tool for any home improvement junkie is the cordless drill. This is the tool of the hour when trying to install shelves, drapery rods, valances -- almost anything that needs a screw driven or a hole drilled. The cordless drill is all about having power at your finger tips, and it's the first tool you should purchase that isn't a hand tool.Speed is important, too, and cheaper models usually only have one speed. Higher-end models have two fixed speeds (in the 300 rpm to 800 rpm range), and a simple trigger on the top or side of the drill lets you select low or high speed. Low speed is for driving screws, high speed for drilling holes. A variable speed drill, which can go from zero rpm to top-end speed with the press of the trigger, comes in handy if you are doing a lot of fancy carpentry.Now, with the new nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, your cordless drill will run longer and is even smaller, making the battery pack on the drill handle smaller, as well. The batteries are also easier to dispose of. The old NiCad batteries contained cadmium, which is toxic and should not be thrown away (all batteries should be recycled). It should be easy to find a drill with NiMH batteries as most manufacturers make this type of drill and battery.As with any tool purchase, you need to take it out for a test drive. Visit a local home center store or hardware store and look over all the models -- actually lifting and testing the drill. Some stores offer demos and classes on tools, so take advantage of those to really test the drill before purchasing. If you are near a job site where there are contractors working, ask them what type of drill they prefer. If they are like me, they have tried them all, from small cordless drills to the big muscle types.If you're like me and do a lot of carpentry-type work, a 9.6- to a 12-volt drill is the better choice. These drills usually have more power, variable speeds and a clutch, and the T-handle shape. The price for a drill in this range will be about $60 to $140.Nowadays, drills range from about 6 volts, which is perfect for smaller home improvement projects, to an impressive 18 volts, which is enough power to use on big jobs, from installing cabinets to framing out a house.The major difference between an electric drill (one you plug in) and a cordless drill -- besides the obvious cord running out the back -- is that a cordless drill has a clutch. The clutch is located behind the chuck, which is where the screwdriver and drill bits are placed. The clutch disengages the drive shaft of the drill. When a pre-set resistance is selected, a clicking sound will occur when the resistance is met. The motor is still turning, but the screwdriver bit isn't. What this does is stop the cordless drill from stripping a screw or overdriving it once it is snug. The number of clutch settings varies by drill, with higher-end models having as many as 24. Most clutches also have a drill setting, which allows the motor to drive the drill bit at full power.The trade-off, of course, is how heavy the drill will become with a bigger battery. My first drill was 9.6 volts and weighed about 3 pounds. Newer, 18-volt models can weigh up to 10 pounds, and that is a lot of heft to haul around if you are installing simple bookcases. So balance the power (volts) you will require with the types of jobs (house building or decor projects) you will be performing.MATTANDSHARI.COM

Matt Fox and Shari Hiller created"Room by Room," the first show to airon HGTV. For more information,visit www.mattandshari.com.

Transform Your Room For Less

Sometimes making dramatic changes to the look of a room by re-decorating can be expensive. However, one way to easily transform or update your d�cor on a budget is to change the drapes or curtains. You will be surprised at the dramatic difference new drapes can make to freshen up your home. Creativity and knowing where to go for the best quality and price can also make this an easy and inexpensive project.

The total impact of your drapes, curtains, and window coverings can be very enriching and add the perfect finishing touch to your d�cor. Doing it for less will enrich your bank account too ! For more information on window coverings or to use free design tools and decorating tips, go to http://www.factorydirectdrapes.comFactory Direct Drapes.comMany times, a valance with your existing window treatments will highlight the drape or curtain and �top� it off adding a perfect frame to your view. If you have mixed types of window coverings in a room, valances on all of the windows also provides continuity to really bring the room together.Begin by deciding if you will use the existing hardware (rods) or would you like to replace them with something more modern. Oftentimes, you can use the same rods in a different way to alter their appearance. For example, you can take a stationary rod/pole (non traversing) with curtains on it and simply add designer ring clips. This will allow you to use a classic pinch pleated drape on the rod and save money to put towards other drapes. Adding a second rod behind your existing hardware will permit the use of a sheer drape or curtain as an economic way to change your window treatments. Or, purchase cost effective standard heavy duty traverse rods in a neutral off-white color that blends in nicely with practically all styles of furnishings. In many cases, the rod can be covered with a new valance leaving you the perfect reason to keep your existing rods.Choosing a drape or curtain style to suit your environment should be exciting. With the number of options available to the consumer, it is easy to get carried away with trendy brick-a-brack window treatments that can leave your windows over dressed and your pocket book empty. Pick classic styles such as pinch pleated or tab top drapes and add a stunning valance to define the style of a room. If you want to create a more formal look, include a pinch pleated sheer that can be opened and closed to create an airy look as well as adding privacy. Finish with simple tie backs in the same fabric as the drapes to hold the drapes or curtains back away from the window.Bridgette BodineThe most important way to save money on home improvement projects is to buy directly from the manufacturer. Often, their websites offer free tools and ideas to help you pick the perfect options. Purchasing directly from the factory ensures you are getting wholesale prices without costly mark-ups. You can receive the highest quality by purchasing American made products.Bridgette@factorydirectdrapes.com

Bridgette@factorydirectdrapes.com

The Elegance of Vertical Blinds

Vertical Blinds are the most stylish and decoration for the home. These days� vertical blinds are considered to be the necessity for the home d�cor or the office decor. We have different kinds and styles of blinds available in the market like wooden blinds, aluminum blinds, roller blinds, vertical blinds, roman blinds and so on. But the most famous among them is the vertical blinds. Previously these were made up of metals and the wood.

They are very strong and durable. The best thing of the vertical window blinds is that we can use them as a replacement of the curtains. They are cheap, inexpensive and we can use them to avoid sun light. Sun light damages our furniture, fades the color of the cloth as well as the furniture. So, they are made to blind lights and the people who hate dust can easily clean the dust from that. Cane blinds is also used to d�cor home but generally they are made up of bamboos and the stick so it is very difficult to clean and also these are not completely avoid the sun light especially who are looking to blinds light.But now vertical blinds are made up of paper and the designs which are created by using different- different materials and the look is very classy and very rich in shape. We can easily clean and wash them out and its reusable and comparatively in fact very low in cost. Designs are very unique. Paper are comes under different � different style, sheets and the colors.Suppose if you have a window but which is not at all used so wood blinds are the best option for them. Because wood is easily available and they can be repainted and designed. They are the best for blinds (avoiding) the sunlight. And they can be used in an attractive way to keep sun out and looks good too. Basically these blinds are made up of canvas, wood, metal, and synthetic fibre. And always look for the vertical blind in which valance is included. And do not buy or make a deal without that. Various kinds of valances are available in the market so you can choose as per your standards.

These are available in the form of single valances and the double valances with rounded corners, edges with fancy materials. In short we can say that without a valance the use of vertical blind is total blind.

..On the grapevine

AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

ISSA won the award for best Fashion Week front row.PARTY of the week was Alice Temperley and Selfridge's fusion event for London Fashion Week. The bash saw Courtney Love perform and Trinny Woodall arrive with Guns 'n' Roses star Slash. How random is that!LADY Gaga and Cyndi Lauper will tomorrow announce a partnership with MAC Viva Glam to talk about HIV/Aids and be interviewed live by Sharon Osbourne. See it at www.facebook.com/ MACcosmetics. Buy a Viva Glam Cybdi or Gaga lipstick to help women and girls living with, or affected by HIV/AIDS.THIS week's Warehouse Utility event was a welcome escape from the fashion crowd. Jason Gardiner took along has-been TV star Holly Valance, Mica Paris tried on a rail of clothes and Zoe Salmon told me she wanted to replace Nadine Roberts as the Irish member of Girls Aloud. Zoe, I think Nadine would have a word to say about that!

LADY Gaga and Cyndi Lauper will tomorrow announce a partnership with MAC Viva Glam to talk about HIV/Aids and be interviewed live by Sharon Osbourne. See it at www.facebook.com/ MACcosmetics. Buy a Viva Glam Cybdi or Gaga lipstick to help women and girls living with, or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Rory's chance to dance

RORY Bremner will be hoping to make a good impression on the judging panel in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

A BBC spokesman refused to comment on the show's line-up, which will be unveiled next week. This year's show will definitely see one new face, with Zoe Ball taking over from Claudia Winkleman as the host of BBC2's Strictly Come Dancing spin-off.Winkleman, 39, had hosted the show - with behind-the-scenes interviews and gossip - since it began in 2004.The funnyman is one of the celebrities lined up for the hit BBC1 ballroom show which starts next week.Other stars rumoured to be appearing include former Neighbours stars Jason Donovan and Holly Valance, ex-MP Edwina Currie and One Show host Alex Jones.Jones will be able to get a few tips from fellow One Show host Matt Baker, who was runner-up last year behind eventual winner Kara Tointon.

Winkleman, 39, had hosted the show - with behind-the-scenes interviews and gossip - since it began in 2004.

Creating A Unique Window Valance

Windows come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes offer a beautiful view. When it is important to let in the most light and not obstruct that perfect view, a window valance can be just the right touch. Window valances come in many different styles and can be used alone or with other window treatments such as drapes, sheers, blinds, or shutters. There are no-sew options as well as the carefully crafted sewn valances that have a real professional touch.

The Swag: A swag also looks like it sounds. A swag valance can be short or extend to the floor where it can even be pooled. The swag is held up by two decorative brackets. The width of the fabric is folded accordion style and then draped across the brackets. On wider windows, it may be necessary to support the centre of the swag with a hidden pin or bracket so that it doesn�t swoop too much. Here sheer or very light weight fabrics work well and even some heavier fabrics.How to Make the Most of the WindowPleated Valance: A formally shaped valance is best made of heavier fabrics that can be formed and will hold their shape. Lighter weight fabrics may work if they are lined with a stiff enough lining. A pleated or scalloped valance needs to be carefully cut and lined so that when it is pleated and folded the underside fabric shows in equal increments. This style is probably best left to the professional decorator or experienced seamstress. The pleated valance can be hung using a frame made of 2x4� board and L-brackets to that a shelf is created at the top of the window. The fabric can then be stapled to the board once it is shaped, then hung onto the brackets.Window valances can be made by anyone with any amount of decorating experience. Some styles require little or no sewing. The important consideration is what type of design is going on in the rest of the room. Remember, window treatments should accent the room and not serve as the focal point.Window valances can be formal or casual. They can be crafted of rich, heavy tapestry fabrics or light, airy cotton. They can be shaped and formed to have a stiff shaped look or be free flowing and informal. The following are some of the more commonly used window valance treatments and how they are made.Placement of the window valance is almost as important as how it is made and what type of material is used. If windows are short, then the valance can be hung high enough that the bottom just covers the top of the window.Balloon Valance: The balloon valance looks like its name. It normally has a gathered ruffle atop the rod and then the doubled up fabric is pinched in increments so that the areas between the pinches balloon out. Often the puffy areas can be stuffed with tissue paper or even old newspapers if the fabric is thick enough to hide the print. Lighter weight cottons are best for this window treatment. Patterns and stripes, as well as solids, work well to.To bring down the height of an extremely tall window the valance can be hung lower or made longer. In general, a valance should not hang more than one-third of the way down the window for the best aesthetics. Two-story windows can be cut in half by the window valance making it a part of the d�cor of the room on the lower half. By dividing the room�s windows in this manner then the ceiling will not seem so high.

Window valances can be made by anyone with any amount of decorating experience. Some styles require little or no sewing. The important consideration is what type of design is going on in the rest of the room. Remember, window treatments should accent the room and not serve as the focal point.

Cabinets

1. Poggenpohl has introduced colors not usually seen in a kitchen. They are deliberately neither loud nor shrill, yet consciously reflect the current trend toward more color, the company says. The names of these new colors are derived from the mineral colors on which they are based: Cubanite, a beige tone; Oxide, a light blue; Fluorite, a modest green; and Curite, a fresh coppery orange. Poggenpohl. Circle 78

9. Merillat recently introduced Chiffon, the first painted white finish available in its Classic line. Chiffon is described as having a creamy white tone and a comforting and inviting color infused with a hint of warmth. The option is one of more than 100,000 SKUs introduced to the Classic product line. Offerings include new finishes, a new door style and product enhancements. Merillat. Circle 8611. SieMatic recently announced the addition of 15 new wood veneers to its selection of surface options for the S2-H, SL 505, and SE 4004 kitchen collections. The veneers feature new colors and wood species that include different shades of oak, cherry and walnut in addition to teak, rosewood, pine, wenge, and a black fineline multilaminar wood veneer. SieMatic. Circle 886. Element Designs' Green Series aluminum frame cabinet doors are made with at least 70 percent post-industrial recycled aluminum. They are available in two frame styles and a variety of insert options (Serengeti insert shown here). The doors can be used with both framed and frameless cabinetry. All products are manufactured to order with a two-week lead time and no minimum order quantities. Element Designs. Circle 838. QualityCabinets recently added to its finish options with the introduction of Cinnamon, which provides a reddish finish and reflects the latest in sophisticated style and design. It's also available with a Licorice glaze, adding to its depth and richness. Available in Quality Cabinets' WoodStar Series, Cinnamon is offered on the Seacrest and Harborview door styles in birch. QualityCabinets. Circle 8510. St. Charles Cabinetry announces the production launch of a frameless, full-overlay line of steel case work, available in brushed stainless steel and 23 colors of powder-coated cold-rolled steel. The product line utilizes soft-close hinges and tight seamless joints to create a sleek and contemporary appeal. Wall cabinets have integrated interior lighting and under-cabinet lighting, as well as adjustable shelves in tempered glass with integral stainless steel edges. St. Charles Cabinetry. Circle 872. Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. recently introduced four new door styles: Aberdeen, Emerson, Monterey and Ridgecrest. Taking inspiration from four of their bestselling raised-panel doors, the company has increased the stiles and rails to 3 in. It has also added 11 new mouldings and light valances, including various sized bull-nose, beaded, round and square options as well as corner ogees and filler and panel mouldings. Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. Circle 793. Minimal design characterizes the look of Calibra, a contemporary slab door style from Armstrong Cabinet Products in solid Plantation Hardwood. Slightly radiused edges on all four sides of the doors and drawers combined with full overlay cabinetry styling make simple doors elegant. Calibra is available in five contemporary finishes, including Espresso, Honey, Mocha, Chestnut and Bordeaux. A wide variety of hardware and convenient accessories is available. Armstrong Cabinet Products. Circle 807. Rutt HandCrafted Cabinetry announces the introduction of seven finishes that compose its new Furniture Collection. The finishes are specific to the wood within the finish name. These finishes have a romantic charm and are vintage in their appearance. The finishes in this collection include: Estate Cherry, Montana Pine, Plantation Maple, Treasured Maple, Low Country Cherry, Ski Lodge Pine, and Bozeman Brown which is placed on poplar wood. Rutt Custom Cabinetry. Circle 845. The Hidden Kitchen is part of Allmilmo's "DesignArt" line and combines book-matched and veneered teak wood with contoured black lacquer finishes. Its closing mechanism, built on a curved (retractable) track, allows for complete concealment of the kitchen's cabinets and appliances, creating a seamless and contiguous wood surface. The kitchen concept explores philosophies connected with concealment and contiguity in design and living. Allmilmo USA Corp. Circle 8212. Wellborn Cabinet has added a new Heirloom Technique to its wide array of finish options. Available on all stained finishes with glazes, the Heirloom Technique creates a distressed finish by adding small dents, wormholes and dry brushing. Done by hand, Heirloom is a random effect that offers an antique look and brings out unique character within each product. Wellborn Cabinet. Circle 89Use the reader service card for more information on these products. You can also request more information NOW using our online reader service: www.qualifiedremodeler.com/einquiry

Use the reader service card for more information on these products. You can also request more information NOW using our online reader service: www.qualifiedremodeler.com/einquiry