stash of galvanized pipe for the legs and supports. It was pretty quick and easy to build, though it did take some time to figure out. I need to find some good baskets to fit on the shelves, and stock up on nicer towels! But we really like the vanity and so far its worked out great. Step by step tutorial on my blog.

EVERYTHING to get sleep and nothing works.

SO, I am yearning to build a soundproof sleep pod over/around my bed. Has anyone done it? Do you have any suggestions for wood, soundproof supplies? Anything?I'm a bit stumped but, it will happen!:)Thanks much.

fun internet searches and did my research so I was prepared on the day of painting/updating. (I live 5 states away, have crazy hours at work and take care of my toddler, so I needed to be efficient in a wknd.)

Sure, there are things that could use more updating in the pictures, but didn't have time. She also need to get a new fridge - but will let the buyer deal with that!

Overall: Smoky Slate (Green/Gray) paint to walls, painted over flowery tile, and island. Changed cabinetry hardware. Didn't have time or money for overhauling cabinets or changing the overhead light fixture. May have to make a few more trips.

Details: For the tile and island - used bonding primer first (2 coats for tile, 1 coat for island oak). Measured 4 fluting wood at Lowe's - painted both sides with bonding primer, then used Liquid Nails and 4 real nails for each fluting wood to put on island. Then painted island completely in the Smoky Slate.

For the cabinet pulls - they were 80's brass. Sanded lightly while still on cabinets, unscrewed, laid out on flat surface outside (my youngin' helper), spray paint gray primer, spray paint brushed nickel. The brushed nickel looked gray and horrible when on the cabinets and didn't match anything! So re-did spray primer and spray paint - Black Flat - looked much better with existing black appliances. Tedious - since we had to do it twice - but a pink power screwdriver helped!

Total time- 2 people, prepped before, 6 hours. $100.00

Effect - Toned down the formica crème cabinets and all that (good) oak wood!

A quick and inexpensive DIY. More to come on other parts of the house!

now lanais. My art supplies usually get scattered all over the house. Well, my husband suprised me one day last year and found a construction trailer a friend of ours was getting rid of and brought it home.

He said " Here you go honey...your new studio!!"

"We are honored to be recognized by our peers in the remodeling industry for our work" said Roone Unger, EXOVATIONS founder and President. "This award is one that our entire company takes great pride in receiving". Contractors from seven regions around the country vie for CotY Awards on an annual basis, and all regional winners will now be eligible for the National CotY Awards. National winners will be announced at NARI's Evening of ExcellenceSM on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Conference Center, located in Grapevine (Dallas), Texas.

All projects submitted for judging were an improvement or an addition to an existing structure, with the exception of one category, "Residential Exterior Specialty." Otherwise, new construction projects were not eligible.

Competing projects were completed between July 1, 2010, and November 30, 2011, and were not submitted in previous NARI National contests. An impartial panel of judges, experts within the remodeling industry and associated fields, selected winners based on each entrant's binders, which include "before and after" photography and project descriptions. Judging focused on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, degree of difficulty and entry presentation.

EXOVATIONS' submitted project was for a 1970's barn style exterior with a Gambrel style roof. The client had envisioned upon purchase of the home a more craftsman-style look. The first call of action was for an EXOVISION™-Architectural Rendering which included a detailed drawing for the new front portico, redesigned front stoop, shake siding, roofing, shutters, columns with stacked stone pedestals, carriage style garage doors, gutters, downspouts, and a metal shed roof styled eyebrow return to better blend the brick and siding juncture. All of the work was completed as drawn and desired and in a very timely fashion. Upon completion of the project, the client had this to say," I am shocked that my house now looks exactly how I envisioned it. For the first time in 10 years, I actually love my home. I think my neighbors must like it too, because they drive by, then slow down, really take a look at my house, and then give me a thumbs up. This was a huge project and it was finished ahead of schedule, on budget, and without any problems."

To be considered for a CotY Award, a company must be a NARI member in good standing. The entries of this year's competition totaled nearly $90 million worth of remodeling projects. NARI members represent an elite group of the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as remodelers.

EXOVATIONS was founded in 1996, and is one of the largest privately owned and operated home renovation companies in the Southeast. Other honors and awards for EXOVATIONS include being the 2005 Chrysalis Award winner for Best Exterior Facelift, Qualified Remodeler Magazine's 2005 Master Design Award winner, Consumers' Choice Award winner in 2009, 2010, and 2011 and being named to Remodeling Magazine's "Big 50" class of 2010. With its headquarters in Cumming, Georgia, EXOVATIONS serves the entire metro Atlanta and Middle Georgia markets, offering a complete line of home exterior products and services for homeowners including the design and installation of siding, windows and doors, roofing, decks, screen porches, front porches, gutters, gutter protection, and much more. For more information visit EXOVATIONS.com.

About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. The Association, which represents member companies nationwide-comprised of 63,000 remodeling contractors- is "The Voice of the Remodeling Industry."™ To learn more about membership, visit www.NARI.org or contact national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Ill., at (847) 298-9200.

Homeowners are estimated to spend a total of $110.1 billion on home improvements in the U.S. through second quarter of 2012.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics.

Consumers can also call the NARI National hotline at 847-298-9200 and request a free copy of NARI's brochure, "How to Select a Remodeling Professional," or visit www.nari.org and click on the homeowner's guide for more information. For information on green remodeling, visit www.greenremodeling.org.