Protect Your Sofa With Mamma Mia Couch Covers

 Has your sofa lost its original look? Does your sofa have tears or need replacing? Before you spend thousands of dollars on a new sofa, you need to give Mamma Mia Couch Covers a try. Mamma Mia Couch Covers will protect and create a whole new look, making your sofa look brand new.

 My living room furniture has seen its days. From the dry heat of the desert to kids, I am so ready for new furniture. The problem is, I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a new sofa, especially when I still have active kids living at home.

 My husband has promised me that I can buy a new living room set when the last kid heads off to college. Until then, I need a solution to make my couch look better, as the leather is worn out. There are even places on the sofa that have large holes in the fabric.

 I have been considering slipcovers for my couch and loveseat, but I have been hesitant due to my past experience with slipcovers. Many years ago, with a different sofa, I tried slipcovers on the couch, and they did not work. The slipcovers did not stay on the couches, and they were frumpy-looking. 

Meet Mamma Mia Couch Covers

 I decided to give couch slipcovers another chance, as I am embarrassed by the look of my sofa. I also can't wait until my youngest goes off to college. While I was looking online for sofa slipcovers, one brand stood out as different and unique. Mamma Mia Couch Covers was not a typical sofa slipcover. I was impressed by Mamma Mia's stretchy fabric and the way it looked.

 I also loved that Mamma Mia Couch Covers came in many fabrics and colors. I was ready to buy a sofa cover from Mamma Mia, but my husband was not. It was due to his experience with our past slipcovers. 

 So I put my purchase of Mamma Mia Couch Protectors and Covers on hold. Then an amazing thing happened. Mamma Mia reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to review their couch covers. I said "Yes!" I love it when I can review a product that I was already planning to purchase.

 Being able to try out Mamma Mia Couch Covers on my sofa will help me decide if I want to purchase another cover for my love seat.

About Mamma Mia Couch Covers

Mamma Mia Couch Covers are the perfect solution for new and old couches. These unique covers can protect your furniture from kids and pets while also giving worn-out sofas a new look.

  + Perfect Fit: Sofa covers are made of patented stretch bi-elastic fabric. Furniture sofa slipcovers fit small and large couches 86"-120" wide. 

  + Kid & Pet Friendly: Ideal for homes with children and pets. Also great for when the grandchildren visit.

  + Machine Washable: The couch covers can be washed in a washing machine. 

  + Easy To Install: This sofa cover easily stretches over the sofa and stays put. The non-slip cardboard inserts not only keep the cover in place but also give the sofa a flawless fit.

  + Comfortable and Soft: Made from soft, skin-friendly fabric and certified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, these covers are free from harmful substances.

  + Upholstery-like look: Unique texture and top-tier quality make the cover look like real upholstery.

Mamma Mia Covers Vs Other Covers

When my Mamma Mia Couch Cover arrived and I placed it on my tired old sofa, right away, I noticed many differences from my past experience with slipcovers. I was impressed at how easy it was to install. I also loved how it stayed in place, even after my teenager jumped onto the couch.

 Mamma Mia Covers

 ~ 2-Way Stretch Bi-Elastic Fabric   

  ~ Pet-Friendly & Hypoallergenic 

  ~ Protects Against Fur & Minor Scratches

  ~ Durable & Machine Washable

  ~ Buy Mamma Mia Couch Covers Here

Other Couch Covers

  ~ Loose and Baggy

  ~ Allergy-Inducing Fabric

  ~ Low-Quality Materials

  ~ Fades After First Wash

Gave my old couch a new, refreshed look

 I selected a 3 seater couch cover from the Microfibra collection in dark grey. Once I placed this cover on my sofa on my couch, I was amazed at the new, refreshed look that it gave my living room. A couple of throw pillows transformed my old torn sofa into a new piece of furniture. 

This new cover from Mamma Mia made the couch so comfortable. No longer did I have to sit on a hot, sticky leather couch in the summer. No longer will I feel embarrassed by the look of my worn-out sofa. This cover will extend the life of my couch and allow me to save up my money to purchase a new sofa, once my son leaves for college.

Even when I decide to buy a new sofa, I will continue to use the Mamma Mia covers when my grandkids visit. 

Mamma Mia Has Furniture Covers for so many types of furniture

 Mamma Mia is more than couch covers. They have fabric covers for chairs, sectionals, love seats, ottomans, pillows, office chairs, and even headboards. You will be amazed at all the different fabrics, patterns, and colors of the covers. The best part is the amazement at the price.

Buying new furniture is expensive! Mamma Mia Couch Covers will protect and create a whole new look, making your sofa look brand new.

Unique Ways To Use Motion Sensor Lights In Your Home

 Motion lights can help you spend energy wisely and help light up dark places in your home. Check out some unique places to use motion lights in the home.

 Motion lights are lights that light up when you need them but turn off when no longer needed. A simple motion light can help light up so many places in your home, even places that do not have an electrical outlet. Using motion lights can help you avoid the phrase, "turn off the light!" and save money. A motion light needs motion, from someone walking by the light, to turn on and when it does not detect motion, it turns off. So no need to remember to turn off the light.

Adding light to unique places in your home

 This past year, I did several home renovations which included replacing the carpet on my stairs with vinyl flooring. The new flooring on the stairs looked amazing but I quickly discovered that the pattern of the vinyl tile made walking down the stairs at nighttime difficult for me. So I needed a light solution that would make walking downstairs easier.

While the lights that are controlled by a wall switch gave light to the stairs, I quickly realized that it was not practical. I often forgot to turn off the lights after going up and down the stairs. If I had items in my hands, then it would be even more difficult to turn off the lights. So I realized that I needed to purchase a motion sensor light to make my stair safer. Since the stairs did not have an electrical outlet, a battery-operated motion would be best for the lighting of my stairs.

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases 

 Once I placed the Vont Round Motion Sensor Light on the wall, I no longer had problems walking down the stairs, when it was night. This motion wall light was easy to stick on the wall. It was a stick anywhere battery-operated motion light that was perfect for the staircase. The three battery-operated round LED night lights needed no tools to install. Once I saw how the motion lights worked, I decided that I needed to purchase more motion detected lights for my home.

Unique places for motion sensor lights

+ Staircase

+ Hallway

+Bathroom 

+ Kitchen

+ Cabinets

+ Garage

+ Closet

+ Pantry

+ Outdoor Hot Tub Gazebo

The motion lights not only made my home safer but they saved me money. I place some of the lights that turned on with motion in the bathroom that I converted from a bathtub to a shower. That way the kids could use the bathroom at night without having to turn on the wall light. I knew that the dark garage would be another room that needed motion lights. That way I did not have to leave the garage light on when I needed to go somewhere at night.

 These motion sensor lights from Vont are affordable so I bought several more and I quickly discovered other places that needed motion lights. My hall closet was a perfect place for a motion sensor light. I use the hall closet to store my food stockpile. This walk-in closet has no light in it and is quite dark. So it is hard to see inside the closet. So I stuck one of the round motion lights on the wall of the hall closet and now I can easily see inside the dark closet. I really love how these motion lights stick on the wall with magnetic adhesive brackets. That makes changing the batteries so simple.

Lights for the hot tub 

 Last year we decide to purchase a hot tub to make surviving the pandemic easier. We also purchased a metal gazebo with curtains for the hot tub. I love using my hot tub at night. The dark makes it hard to see my pathway to my outdoor hot tub. So I placed Vont LED Outdoor Solar Lights near my outdoor gazebo to make my walk to the hot tub safer. I also placed one of the round motion lights inside the hot tub area so I would have a source of light to open up the hot tub and turn on the hot tub lights.

 I love that the outdoor solar lights are waterproof landscape spotlights that can be used outside in so many places like near the front door. These solar-powered outdoor LED lights are wireless and ready to use. The solar lights come in a 2 pack and I am already planning to purchase more solar lights for my front yard. Solar lights will help keep my home safe.

Places to use Vont LED Outdoor Solar Lights

+ Yard

+ Walkway

+ Driveway

+ Porch

+ Patio

+ Garden

+ Outside by the front door

+ Near the trash cans

 I am glad that I discovered lights that work by motion. They are so useful in the home and so practical. I know the motion sensor lights will help me save money on my electrical bill. The motion lights will be replacing the use of other lights in my home. Since I will be using the lights controlled by light switches less, I will see the energy savings and be saving money. Check out the motion lights 

      

Dreametech H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum Makes Cleaning Simple

 The Dreametech Cordless H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum is a game-changer for cleaning floors. This device replaces your broom, mop, and vacuum. It is a pleasure to push.

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases I received a Dreametech H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum to facilitate this post.

 We recently replaced the carpet in our house with new floors. Two years ago we ripped out all the carpet downstairs and had ceramic tile installed. Then this year we tore out the carpet on the stairs and upstairs. This time we decided to install vinyl on the floors. The carpet was over 20 years old and it was a pain to keep clean. So my husband and I selected flooring choices that were easier to maintain. 

 Another reason that we decided to not install carpet was due to all my allergies. While my high-quality air purifier was helping, my asthma symptoms were still present. So not having carpet in the house on the floors made sense as it would help me continue to manage my asthma naturally without prescription medicines. Carpet tends to trap dust and all those allergens, so I was glad to see the carpet being replaced.

 Since we replaced the carpet with vinyl floors in the bedrooms, my sleep apnea symptoms have even stopped. I am loving the new floors in my home and the part that I love most is how easy the floors are to keep clean. I no longer have to vacuum or steam clean carpets. My maintenance for my new floors only requires a broom, vacuum, and a mop. My cleaning routine has become easier without having carpet in my house. Even spills are easier to clean up.

 Dreametech H11 Wet & Dry Vacuum Makes Cleaning a Breeze

 I loved that I did not have to lug out the big vacuum and plug it in. My routine for cleaning my new floors was using a stick vac followed by a wet mop. A cleaning routine that I thought was simple. That was until I received a wet and dry vacuum that was a huge game-changer in my daily cleaning. The Dreametech H11 Wet & Dry Vacuum was a more convenient and fun home cleaning experience.

 This unique cleaning device vacuums and mops at the same time. So I was able to replace my mop, broom, and vacuum with the  Dreametech H11 Wet & Dry Vacuum. The Dreametech vacuum was even fun to use. Yes, you heard that right cleaning was fun with this vacuum.

Erases household messes, both wet and dry

 + One pass. All clean.

+ Cleans up wet and dry messes at the same time.

+ Self-cleaning on the roller brush as long as it is on.

+ Automatic mess detection for deep cleaning.

+ Long runtime for cleaning large homes.

Easy to use

 The Dreametech H11 Wet & Dry Vacuum was super simple to put together from the box. My teen simply connected the handle to the vacuum and then install both the clean water tanks and the dirty water tanks. The vacuum came with a charger base so this vacuum was a cord-less vacuum. I liked that the charging base was not bulky. So it fits perfectly in my kitchen.

 After the Dreametech H11 Wet & Dry Vacuum was fully charged, I was ready to have fun cleaning my floors. A push of the button was all it took. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this wet/dry vacuum was to push. It was a self-propelled vacuum that had two different modes of cleaning ~ standard clean and deep cleaning mode. The fully charged vacuum was able to clean all the floors in my house on a single charge. I was also surprised that I did not have to refill the clean water tank.

Deep clean. Up to 2,152ft

No longer need to refill the water tank over and over. The Dreametech H11 comes with a clean water tank of 0.23gal that covers up to 2,152ft² in the lowest water flow mode.

Deep cleans floors

 I like clean floors and I usually mop my floors daily. I also enforce the no-shoes in the house rule. So my floors stay clean for the most part. So the first time I used the Dreametech H11 Wet & Dry Vacuum, I was amazed at how dirty the water was in the used water tank. I realized that my old way of cleaning the floors with a mop was just pushing dirty water on my floors. So while my grey floors looked clean, they were not clean. 

 My downstairs floors are ceramic tile so they have grout lines. The grout on my floors is grey as I selected that color to hide the dirt. The Dreametech H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum sure did show me that my floors did a great job of hiding the dirt. The water in the used water tank was black by the time I was done cleaning the floors.

 I decided to clean the floors a couple more times with the Dreametech H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum and the water still was dirty. I was amazed at how well this wet vacuum cleaned my floors. I was even able to vacuum up the sand that was by the front door. This vacuum handles both wet and dry messes. So it made cleaning up all the crumbs in the kitchen a breeze. Next time my son spills milk and cereal, the Dreametech H11 will make clean-up so simple.

Self-cleaning roller brush

 Another awesome feature of the Dreametech H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum is the self-cleaning of the roller brush. Once you are done cleaning the floors, you place the vacuum back on the charging base and press the deep-cleaning mode. The deep-cleaning mode thoroughly cleans and drys the brush roll so there is no need to manually wash it. I love that I don't have to touch a dirty roller brush.

 This wet and dry vacuum has changed the way that I keep my floors clean. Since the Dreametech H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum has a clean modern look to it, I keep the vacuum in the corner of my kitchen. The charging base keeps the vacuum fully charged so it is ready to use. So that means I am able to clean the daily food crumbs and kitchen messes. My floors have never been this clean.

 So the next time my son bakes the best Christmas sugar cookies with way too many sprinkles, he can use the Dreametech H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum to clean up his mess. With cleaning the floors made so simple, I just may let my son do more baking. No longer do I have to dread kitchen messes when I have the power of the Dreametech vacuum.

Check out some more information about the Cordless Dreametech H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum

 + Sucks up all the dirty messes in one path, combining the actions of a broom, mop, and vacuum in one. 

+ Using a separated two-tank design, the 900ml clean water tank sprays out fresh water and a cleaning solution onto the roller brush while the internal dirt separation system removes dirt water out of the brush and sends it to the dirty water tank in real-time. 

+ The self-cleaning of the roller brush in real-time, you can try the deep-cleaning mode by putting it back onto the charging base for a thorough cleaning and fast drying of the brush roll, no need to manually wash it.

+ The smart LED screen display and intelligent voice assistant provide clear and accurate operation guidance.

+ The convenience of a cordless system like this requires getting it back on the charging base at the end of use but the smart screen on top will tell you battery power.

Buy the Dreametech H11 Wet and Dry Vacuum on Amazon 

9 Simple Ways To Refresh Your Bedroom

 Check out these simple ideas that will make your bedroom feel brand new without a huge effort.

You know the feeling. Your bedroom looks outdated or you are just tired of the way it looks. Walking into your bedroom does not bring you joy. It may do just the opposite and you no longer get excited about spending time in your bedroom. You wake up every morning wishing that your room looked nicer. Then you realize the amount of time it would take to remodel your bedroom. So you don't change the look of your bedroom.

 Do you want to refresh the look of the room but you don't want to put in a lot of effort? 

 Changing the look of any room in your house can be done, without spending a huge amount of time or money. So before you start painting the walls or buying new furniture, check out these simple ways to refresh your bedroom space. 

1. Change your Sheets and Comforter

 Something as simple as replacing your bedding with new items may help the room look nicer. So change your sheets and blankets. You may have some sheets in your linen closet that you have not used in a while or you may want to purchase new bamboo sheets. Replacing your bedding does not have to mean spending a lot of money as you can buy a duvet cover to place over your comforter. Some places even sell sheet sets that include duvet covers. So replace your old bedding with new ones. While you are buying new sheets, take the time to replace your pillow. Pillows wear out and a new pillow may just help you sleep better.

2. Get a Rug

 The floor may be the first thing that you notice when you walk into a room. So adding a rug to your floor will make a huge difference. That rug can be as simple as a decorative throw rug or it can be a big rug that you place under your bed. Rugs are a great way to make old carpets and floors look new again.

3. Add Plants

 Plants and flowers always brighten up any room. It is like bringing the outdoors inside. Plants come in many different colors and will add a special touch to your bedroom. Some plants are also great for keeping the air clean. Don't worry if you don't have a green thumb. There are plenty of options for plants that don't need water or sunlight. A silk plant or a vase of silk flowers will still make your bedroom bright and cheery.

4. Swap out the Curtains

Over time curtains and blinds start to fade or collect dust. Your curtains may simply be outdated or you may no longer like them. So swap out the curtains in your bedroom with new curtains. Choose a pattern or color that makes you smile. When you wake up in the morning, the curtains are usually the first thing you see.  Bedroom curtains are an inexpensive and easy way to have a little fun with your bedroom decor. If you like your bedroom super dark when you sleep, then select blackout curtains. If you love waking up with the sun, maybe a sheer curtain would be best. 

5. Make some Shelves

 Adding shelves to the wall will not only refresh your bedroom but they will also give you some extra storage space. Shelves are great for showcasing all those small items that are special to you. You can also use a pair of shelves for books or to display photos. I like using shelves for plants and I discovered a way to make shelves from broken furniture. Shelving comes in many different sizes so think of what you want to display before you buy them.

6. Add Texture to a Wall

 So many people think that they have to paint walls to refresh their bedroom. Sure a new coat of paint in a different color will make a bedroom look nice but painting walls is time-consuming. Painting means moving furniture, covering up items with tarps, and taping up the walls.  Painting is an all-day project.

 There is an easier way to change the look of your bedroom walls without having to use paint. A wall mural is a simple way to refresh any room and it can add excitement to the look of the room. Adding a wall mural to one wall of the bedroom will brighten up your room in a big way. You can select any size for your wall mural. The mural can cover the whole wall or it can a pop of color to a smaller section of the wall. The best wall surface cover is one with texture. Surfaces & textures provide visuals that capture your attention and make the room look so beautiful. For some wall surface inspiration, check out https://www.photowall.co.uk/wall-murals/surface-textures  

7. Move Items Around the Home

 Giving your bedroom a new look does not always require a trip to the store or any money. It is as simple as taking a walk around your home. Look in the other rooms of your home for some items that may look better in the bedroom. That may mean a picture in the living room or a vase from the dining room just might add that special touch to your bedroom. Think outside the box. A teacup may be the perfect item to place on your bedside table to hold those small items. Even a piece of furniture from another room may have a different purpose in the bedroom.

 When considering adding a new piece of furniture to your bedroom, a stylish crushed velvet bed can be a game-changer in transforming the space. These beds, known for their luxurious texture and sophisticated appearance, can serve as the centerpiece of your bedroom, instantly elevating its style and comfort. Crushed velvet has a unique way of reflecting light, adding depth and richness to the room's aesthetic. Incorporating a crushed velvet bed can seamlessly blend with various decor styles, making it a versatile choice for those looking to refresh their bedroom's look with a single, impactful update.

8. Get Inspiration

Sometimes just looking at other bedroom ideas online or in stores, may give you the inspiration for your new bedroom. Head to Pinterest for ideas for bedroom remodeling. Other places to visit for inspiration are home decor stores. Some places have room displays that showcase the bedroom products. Magazines can also give you some inspiration for bedroom decor.

9. Remove the Clutter

 One of the best ways to make a room look new is simply the process of decluttering. All the extra items that you no longer use can make a room look cluttered. So, remove items from the top of dressers and take out furniture that you are not using. That exercise machine that you have not used in months or all those books on your bedside table are eyesores. Those eyesores could be making your bedroom look ugly to you. Even removing clothes that you no longer wear from the closet can refresh your bedroom. So take time to declutter.

Feather Home Furniture Rental Is Now In Texas

Sponsored post with Feather Home

  Feather Home Furniture rental makes moving less stressful

 I remember many years ago when my husband got a job offer in another state. My husband packed up the car and moved to another state while I stayed behind selling our house. While my husband was super busy at his new job, I was busy packing up our belongings. 

The first thing my husband did when he arrived at the location of his new job was to find a temporary place to live. His new employer gave him 2 weeks at a hotel but after that, he was responsible for paying for a place to live. Living in a hotel is expensive so my husband found an apartment. This apartment would also serve as a place for the kids and us to live at while we waited for our new house to be built. Since my husband did not have any furniture, he decided to use a furniture rental place to furnish his apartment. We had no idea how long it would take to sell our house.

 Settling into a new home is stressful enough on its own, from finding the right place and hauling your stuff to changing your mailing address. 

 It took a couple months for our house to sell and then 6 more months for our new house to be built. I was thankful that my husband's employer paid for the moving company and that they offered a place to store our furniture while we were living in the apartment. Having our apartment furnished with rental furniture made things so much easier. That way we only had to move once.

 This move across the states was over 20 years ago and there were limited choices for furniture rental. Feather Home Furniture Rental makes renting furniture and other home decor items so simple. No longer do you have to settle for a basic boring couch as Feather Home offers stylish premium furniture & décor rentals. I love that you can see all that Feather Home has to offer online on their website.  Feather Home furniture rental is available in 2,000+ zip codes across the United States and they have recently expanded into the Dallas, Houston, and/or Austin, Texas markets.

Furniture Rental Without Huge Upfront Costs 

 Settling into a new home is stressful enough on its own, from finding the right place and hauling your stuff to changing your mailing address. Feather Home gives consumers the option to enjoy a stylish new couch, or outfit a temporary home office without handing over a large sum of cash all at once. They make it easy to select what you need to furnish your home with a wide selection of furniture and home decor. Once you make your furnishing selections, Feather Home Furniture Rental delivers and assembles your furniture order. 

Swap Out Furniture Pieces

 When you choose to rent furniture with Feather Home, you choose the plan that fits your furniture needs. Then you start selecting the furniture that you love. The best part of renting furniture from Feather Home is can keep, return, or swap your pieces. So if later you decide that your couch selection no longer fits your decor, no problem, Feather Home will let you swap it for a new couch.

 If you decide later that you want to keep any of your furniture rental selections, you can buy them from Feather Home. So not only is Feather Home a great place to rent furniture pieces for a temporary home but it can be a great way to try furniture before you buy. So you can rent items like a couch, desk, lamp, or any other items before buying. Whether you need to furnish a place for a month or for a year, Feather Home provides solutions not only for homeowners and renters but also for real estate professionals staging houses or hosts planning events.

Take The Feather Home Style Quiz

 Feather Home makes it super simple to make your furniture selections with the Feather Home Style Quiz. The style quiz walks you through the process of figuring out your furniture needs by asking the right questions about the rooms that you need to furnish. The quiz also allows you to select the size of the room and your rental budget. Then this unique Home Style Quiz shows you plenty of furniture design photos so you can select the ones that fit your furniture style. The quiz then shows you the best pieces of furniture that fit your needs. I am sure that you will find what you love to furnish your new living space.

Keeping Furniture in Homes and out of Landfills

Feather launched in 2017 with a simple concept—furniture that fits the way we live today. City renters move on average every 1-2 years. Tastes evolve, living arrangements change, budgets fluctuate, and many can’t afford or don’t want to commit to quality furniture so they end up resorting to cheaper alternatives that aren’t built to last. As a result, 20 billion pounds of furniture end up in landfills annually (that’s about the same amount of plastic that ends up in the oceans every year). This pattern isn’t sustainable.

We believe furniture shouldn’t involve so much compromise. Affordable and well-made. Convenient and sustainable. Smart and stylish. These things are all possible with Feather. We built a more responsible approach to furniture, one that’s grounded in rental, reuse, and refurbishment. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we’re proud to be offering a more circular approach and helping a new generation of renters create homes they love even when life is in motion.

Create a home you love with Feather

1. Select a plan that works for you:  Feather Home offers a 12-Month Member Plan or 3-Month Short-Term Plan.

2. Choose furniture, art, and rugs: Rent from 200+ items (including decor) curated for an easy shopping experience.

3. Get your items delivered and set up: Feather Home delivers and assembles your items, and always does their best to work with your schedule.

4. Experience furniture magic firsthand: Instantly transform any four walls into a home you love without lifting a finger, or exchange any items to keep your space feeling fresh.

 So whether you are moving across the country or across the street, Feather Home Furniture Rental is ready to help with your furniture needs with their new locations in Texas and their other furniture rental locations in NYC, CA, VA, MD, and the DC Area. Feather Home makes moving and renting furniture simple.

The Cost of Converting A Bathtub To A Walk In Shower

 A leaky faucet inspired me to convert my bathtub to a shower 

I received a Moen showerhead to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

 Over a month ago, I just could not live with the leaky bathtub faucet anymore and I asked my husband to fix the leak. While my husband was fixing the faucet in the bathtub in the boy's bathroom, we encountered a pipe issue that required the removal of the bathtub panel. It was then we discovered that the pipes were never fixed with the last bathroom renovation in 2011. So we had to call a plumber to fix the bathroom pipes.

 While I was not happy to have to pay for a plumber, I am glad we discovered the faulty pipe before it burst, which would have cost even more money. It was a frozen pipe in 2011 that resulted in a bathroom remodel. The pipe froze in our bathroom due to the insulation being on the wrong side. We were thankful that our homeowner's insurance paid for the bathroom repairs and the cost of hiring a contractor.

 The homeowner's insurance did not pay out that much for our bathroom remake so we had the contractor install an inexpensive bathtub surround system thinking it would be easier to maintain than tile. We also thought that a hardware store bathtub surround panel would be more durable than tile. We later found out that was not the case when we were trying to fix the leaky faucet.  

 When my husband was trying to fix the leak in the bathtub spout, he heard a snap. My husband thought that the bathtub pipe had broken. So my husband had to remove the bathtub surround panel. While he was careful with removing the bathtub panel, it cracked. It was then that we discovered a pipe that was in bad shape. We assumed that the contractor changed out the plumbing when he renovated our bathroom but we found out we were wrong. All the contractor did was put the insulation in the correct place and left the old broken pipe in place. Now we had to repair the pipe and fix the bathtub wall. We had bathroom renovation problems.

We decided to convert the bathtub into a walk-in shower

 It was a recent hotel stay that convinced my husband to do a bathtub shower conversion. Since this was the only bathtub in the house, I was not sure if we should transform the bathtub into a walk-in shower. Four years ago we took out the bathtub in the master bathroom and transformed it into a huge walk-in shower. While I love my new master bathroom, I did not think the boy's bathroom needed something fancy like a walk-in shower. So I told him that I would think about his bathroom renovation idea.

 Later that weekend, while we were watching TV, I saw a commercial for a one-day bathroom conversion from a bathtub to a shower. I liked the idea of getting the bathroom fixed quickly as the boys have been using my shower for over a month. So I searched online for Bathroom Remodelers so I could get some quotes for the bathroom project.

We visited bathroom showrooms for ideas

 My husband and I went to the showrooms of the bathroom remodeling places. We like how the bathtub-to-shower conversions looked and I like that they were low maintenance. That would mean never having to recaulk the bathtub again. I was hooked on the idea of getting rid of the bathtub that never stayed clean for a shower that was easier to clean. So we set up an appointment for a quote to see how much it costs to convert a bathtub to a shower.

 The salesman said it would be cheaper than a full bathroom remodel. So we thought that this bathroom remodels idea was cost-efficient. Boy, we were so wrong! 

 The salesperson who came to our house measured the bathroom space and then started the sales pitch. I felt like I was buying a car. The salesperson talked fast and gave us lots of discounts but the price to do the bathroom remodel was over $10,000 just for the bathtub. I was shocked as we did our whole master bathroom 4 years ago for $8,000. So my husband and I decided to get a second quote from a plumber.

 I found the plumbing company while searching online for bathtub conversions. The plumbing company offered a different type of bathtub to shower change. When I spoke with the plumbing and heating company on the phone, the person reassured me that were cheaper than the other bathroom conversions and could also do a tile shower conversion. So I made an appointment to get quotes for both the wall surround shower conversion and the tile shower conversion.

Was I shocked when the quotes from the plumbing company were $12,000 for either option and they required us to do the demo work. So I made one last phone call. I called the tile store that did our master bathroom renovation to see what their price was to install tile for the shower. The quote that I received from them to change the bathtub to a shower was about $5-8000. 

Different ways to convert a bathtub to a shower

 While the one-day shower conversion looked like a nice option, we also had the plumber give us a quote for using tile instead of the one-piece wall pieces from the one-day bathroom place. So we could see which one would be the best option for our bathroom project. I like saving money on repairs but I also wanted my bathroom to be done right with quality work. So it made sense to get several bathroom quotes. Another option to do the shower conversion is buying tile from a tile store and having them install it.

 Converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower involves various factors that contribute to its overall cost. The expenses can vary based on the materials chosen, labor costs, and any necessary plumbing modifications. The expertise of a professional blocked drain plumber may be required to reroute plumbing lines and ensure proper drainage for the new shower design. Additionally, factors such as the type of shower enclosure, tiling, and any accessibility features can impact the overall cost. While the investment in a walk-in shower can enhance convenience and accessibility, it's crucial to consult with a professional to accurately assess the specific requirements and costs associated with the conversion process.

Ways to save money on a bathtub conversion

+ Shop around at different places that offer bathtub conversions. While you may think that only places like Bath Planet and Rebath offer bathtub changes, there are other places to consider like plumbing companies and tile stores. Then make sure to get several quotes for the bathtub converted to shower job. You might be surprised at the different prices.

+ Ask questions before you select the company for your bathtub renovations. Make sure that you know what you are paying for and what is included in the job. That way you are not charged for things that you don't need to be done.

+ Purchase the materials yourself if the company allows it. If you are choosing to use tile for the shower walls, you may get a better deal on supplies by buying them yourself. 

+ Do the demo yourself to save money on the job. When we converted the bathtub to a walk-in shower in our master bathroom, we saved tons of money by removing the old tile and the bathtub. The contractor told us what we needed to get done before they could start the work. My boys had fun demolishing the bathtub with a hammer.

+ Purchase the bathroom fixtures yourself at a hardware store or online. While the bathtub places have package deals on shower fixtures and showerheads, they may be more expensive or have a limited selection. I like purchasing my shower fixtures from Moen for many reasons.

 When we did a different bathroom remodel several years ago for our master bathroom, our friend, who is a plumber, recommended Moen bathroom fixtures for their cartridges. Our friend said that Moen Cartridges are easy to remove. I am glad that we took his advice. When the shower tile job was finished and I went to take a shower, I discovered that the builder of our house switched the water lines so the water was cold when I turned the shower faucet to hot. Thankfully, my plumber friend was able to switch the shower faucet cartridge to fix the water temperature problem. If we had bought a different brand of shower fixture, we would have had to remove tiles from the shower wall.

 I like the selection of Moen showerheads and decided to purchase the Moen Magnetix™ handheld showerhead. I really liked the magnetic docking and that it included a hand shower. The separate handheld shower will make it easy to clean my shower. It will also come in handy for my son, who has a cast on his foot for three months, to take a shower sitting down. The Magnetix shower hand shower will be easy for my son to release and snap back into place. So he can stay seated in the shower. I loved the six different settings on the showerhead and the way it looks. It will be perfect for my new shower.

Photo from the Moen website

Benefits Moen Magnetix™ handheld showerhead

+ Spot Resist™ brushed nickel finish resists fingerprints and water spots for a cleaner-looking bath

+ showerhead with hand shower

+ magnetix™ technology features an innovative magnetic docking system

+ meets EPA WaterSense® criteria to conserve water without sacrificing performance

+ limited lifetime warranty

+ snap to use; easy release and return, even with your eyes closed

+ hand shower always docks facing forward to avoid exterior splash outside your shower

+ hand shower features a kink-free metal hose that extends your reach and flexibility

+ hand shower features 3.75 in. spray face and 6 settings to allow you to customize your shower and desired spray performance

+ full coverage rainshower features a 6.75 in. spray face

+ ability to flow each shower head separately or combined for more coverage

+ pause/trickle button allows to momentarily pause the hand shower flow at a push of a button

Weighing all our options for our bathroom project

 Now that my husband and I have quotes for three different options for our shower renovation, we need to decide whether to do a tile install or the wall surround system on our new shower. Each option has pros and cons to them. I like the look and easy maintenance on the wall surround system. I also like that the work can be done in a day. The tile shower will be more affordable but will have grout to keep clean. 

  Right now both companies are not scheduling for the install work for 8- 10 weeks so it will be a while until we get our new bathroom shower. So stay tuned and I will update this post with which option we choose for our bathroom bathtub to shower conversion remodel job. I will also later include a link to a post once the bathroom job is complete. The only thing that I have decided on is that we will be installing the Moen Magnetix™ handheld showerhead fixture.

Update: 

We decided to do a tile install for our new bathtub to shower installation project as it was the most cost-efficient for us. The quotes for the one-day bathroom conversions were 10 - 12 thousand dollars while the tile company shower project was $5000. We did have to hire a plumber to move the drain and shower valve and that was $1700. 

The cost was not the only factor in our decision but also the durability of the materials. The more I thought about the one-day shower conversion, I realized that the materials would be like laminate countertops. My kitchen used to have laminate countertops and we replaced them due to all the scratches on them.

We were glad that we decided to do a ceramic tile shower as we discovered a leak in our laundry room when we were preparing for the plumbers to move the drain and convert pipes. The plumbers were doing the pipework through the ceiling below the bathroom and that is when we discovered the wet wall. So now we are having that work done. Then we will complete the bathroom.

Photo from the Moen website

How To Repurpose A Small Space Into A Home Office With Photo Wall

Breathe New Life Into Your Living Space With Photo Wall

I received a canvas print from Photo Wall to facilitate this post

 Since this pandemic started, I have learned how to adapt my workspace, and working from home has a whole new meaning to me. It was only supposed to be two weeks, which is what my city said when the kid's school shut down and my husband started working from home. I look back on that day in March when a lung virus called Covid-19 changed my life in a way that I would have never imagined. 

 When I learned that my three kids would be attending school from home and my husband would be doing his work from our couch in the family room, I was ready to pick up my laptop and start working from the bathroom that connected to my newly remodeled master bedroom. I knew that it would be the only way I would have a quiet space to work from. My husband was considered an essential worker and his job required him to be on the phone most of the day. I was thankful that my bathroom was large enough for a comfy bean bag chair and had plenty of windows to let in the natural light. 

 Those two weeks turned into 4 months and the five of us were spread throughout the house doing schoolwork, jobs, and me maintaining my website. My college kid was stationed in his bedroom, my husband, in the family room, myself in the bathroom, and the two boys were in their bedrooms. Finally, in July, my son was able to head back to New York to the Merchant Marine Academy. I was happy for my son but I was even more excited to take over his bedroom for my new home office. My son's bedroom was in the back of the house and far away from hearing my husband talking about the Corona Virus.

 Now with one less person at home all day, I was excited to transform my son's bedroom into my home office space. I was glad that there was a desk in this bedroom along with a queen-size bed that had organic bamboo sheets. I joked with my boys that I was working from a hotel room as I grabbed my coffee and headed upstairs. My new computer space was quiet but it was drab and dark. My desk faced a dark wall that was covered with my son's race medals and his bulletin board. The only small window is covered with styrofoam for the winter as this room is over an uninsulated garage. So I needed a way to repurpose this small space into a home office.

 

 I discovered a place that sells canvas prints, posters, and more. I was amazed at the huge selection at Photo Wall and knew that a canvas print would breathe new life into my son's bedroom to help me be more productive while working from home. My plan was to hang a canvas print on the wall that was behind my computer so I have something to gaze upon that was uplifting.

 I selected a photo of a scene from a tropical beach. The Bungalow on the Beach print was perfect in so many ways. This canvas print was so beautiful and reminded me of a trip that I took to a beach resort four years ago. The photo canvas was so realistic and all I needed was the sounds of the ocean to help me feel like I was looking at a real beach. Having a large photograph of a beach scene to look at would take my mind away from the fact that I was working in a dark bedroom and would help me focus better on my work.

 I also selected the canvas print photo of the beach to give me hope. This was the year that my husband and were planning to take a beach vacation. Well, the pandemic put a stop to that with the dangers of traveling and the fact that my husband is an essential worker who is very busy right now. So the Paradise in Front of the Sea print gives me the hope that next year will be the year for my beach resort vacation. 

This print on canvas arrived quickly at my house, 7 days after I ordered it. It was very easy to place the canvas print on the included wood frame. I think the hardest part was deciding which print that I wanted to buy as PhotoWall had a huge selection of prints. If you can imagine it, PhotoWall has what you want from the 18 categories that included people, nature, scenes, animals, fantasy, and more. This canvas print was vibrant and durable. PhotoWall allows you to select the size you need from small to large enough to cover a whole wall with their Wallpaper. You can even use your own images. You get to create your photo design on wallpaper, canvas prints, posters, or framed prints.

 I selected a rather large canvas as I wanted the whole wall space to be covered. The space that I was hanging my tropical beach photo was 53 inches wide so I selected a 51 X 44 canvas photo print. I wanted the wall to look like an ocean beach. I also selected a large wall canvas print so it would look nice in my master bedroom when my son comes home next year and wants his bedroom back. My son will be at sea until April and I am hoping that everyone will return to school and work by then. If not, I will recreate another home office in my bedroom. 

 PhotoWall makes it super simple to transform a small space into a workspace. Their beautiful prints can transform a drab and dull wall into a beautiful space. If you have a space in your house that needs new life, PhotoWall makes it affordable to remodel a room with little effort. It is truly amazing how looking at a photo can make one happy. Photos have the power to change the mood of a room. So whether you need a small print for a bedroom or a large photo for a living room PhotoWall probably has the size and print that will make your wall a work of art. Perfect gift idea for the holidays!

Use this exclusive code momknowsbest25 to save 25% off your own canvas print at Photowall. The code is valid until the 20th of December.

Surviving Summer While Staying At Home During a Virus Outbreak

This summer is going to be very different

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases 

 This summer is going to be very different for my family. The C virus pandemic has changed life for now and we are adjusting to the new normal. Two months ago when this virus outbreak started to affect my life, I knew that things were going to be different for my family in more ways than I ever imagined. It was then that I started to make my backyard a place that my boys and I could enjoy while we sheltered in place. I knew that the virus thing would cause us to have to pretty much stay home for a while so I wanted a place that made me happy. I started my yard project with the idea of planning a staycation at home.


I bought a hot tub

 I knew this virus outbreak would mean that public pools may not open for public swimming this summer and if they did open, they would probably limit how many people could be in the pool. The public pools here are usually crowded in the summer so I knew that swimming would not be an activity this summer for my kids. So when we got that extra money from the government, my husband finally agreed to buy a hot tub for our backyard. I have been wanting a hot tub for quite some time but my husband, being a health inspector who inspects pools, was not keen on the idea. So I was excited that I was finally getting my own hot tub.

 I guess a lot of other people had the same idea about a hot tub as six weeks later, we are still waiting for our hot tub to be delivered. The hot tub company said to expect another 2-3 weeks on the delivery. I know a hot tub sounds strange in the summer but I am planning to keep the water temperature low so it feels like a swimming pool.

I bought a gazebo

 I live in the desert of New Mexico and the dry heat can be brutal. The dry heat tends to destroy anything in the backyard that is wood, fabric, or plastic. So my husband said we needed something to cover up the hot tub. So I ordered a metal gazebo with a metal roof as the fabric roofs never last more than a summer. That meant it was going to be more work to put it together but with my college kid stuck at home, we had some extra help. The gazebo came within two weeks.


 The gazebo needed a strong place to rest on as we did not have a deck, also the sandy soil of the desert, which tends to grow way too many weeds, would not support a hot tub. So I had to first kill all the weeds in my yard with my homemade weed spray that works in a day and pretty much kills any weed that I spray it on. It was also time to remove the thick black plastic that I had laid down a couple months ago in the yard to more permanently kill the stubborn weeds. Read about the black plastic weed killer method HERE.

 After I took care of the weeds in the yard, my husband and older son started to prepare a space in the yard for the TRUEGRID PRO Plus Pavers. We originally wanted to have someone lay a cement patio in our yard for the hot tub to set on but it was rather costly and hard to find someone to do the work. So I am glad that I discover the Permeable Pavers for a strong foundation for the hot tub. We only had to move some gravel, level the area, and compact down the dirt. These pavers are strong and can support a shed and more.

 

A day of yard work

 The whole family helped with the yard work to get the yard ready for the hot tub. We spent a whole day moving rocks, sifting rocks, and building the gazebo. It was a typical hot summer day and the sun was out in full force, so I was glad that I had my floppy summer hat to protect my face from the sun. I had ordered this wide-brim summer sun hat online since the stores were closed at the time. I loved that I was able to virtually try the hat on before buying it. Tenth Street even had a quiz to help me select my hat. I can't wait until I can travel again as this floppy hat is so pretty for the beach. There were so many women's hats to select from, they also had hats for guys, that I had a hard time selecting which hat I wanted to buy.

Prevent face mask tan

 Are you a hat person? I never thought that I would be a hat person but once I realized how they kept the sun off my face and out of my eyes, I was hooked on summer hats. This hat will be a must this summer to avoid the face mask tan. Since my town is requiring the use of face masks in public places, I may need to wear a face mask while outside. Last week my church did a drive-up food pantry that I volunteered my time at. The volunteers had to wear a face mask and we were working in the sun. I was glad that I wore my sun hat so the sun stayed off my face to prevent a face mask tan.

 After working all morning at my church, I was so ready to relax in the hot tub. I was so glad that my husband taught me how to take care of hot tub water, so the water was perfect for a day of relaxation.  My sore muscles were soothed by the warm water and water jets.


My second office

 Now that my husband is working from home, I have been working in my master bathroom. My husband is always on the phone so I need a quiet space to write. Now that my yard is almost complete, just waiting on the hot tub, I have been sitting outside in the yard under my pergola in the purple Adirondack chair that I restored. It is a peaceful and quiet place to relax. The sounds of the birds and the water sounds from my fountain just create the perfect place to get some writing done.

I started a garden

 The virus outbreak had me worried about food shortages. So I started a garden for the first time since moving to the desert. I just planted some spinach seeds along with beets and kale seeds. I also planted a tomato plant. I had to first get the soil ready so it took a while for my compost pile to decompose into soil for plants. I don't have high expectations for my garden as I am not good with outdoor plants. We don't get much rain here so that means having to remember to water the plants.

 My indoor cherry tomato plant that I grew from a kit is doing well and I am so amazed. The tomato plant has lots of tiny green tomatoes on it and I am excited about having fresh tomatoes this summer. I will be oven roasting tomatoes if my garden overproduces. The sun-dried tomatoes will be perfect for my Rosemary and Caramelized Onion Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia.

 So with a hot tub, a garden, and a new patio space, my summer will be happening in my backyard. The only time that I am leaving my house is for my daily running and to pick up summer lunches for the boys. The city is has made the free summer lunch program a pick up instead of being at the park near us. So that means that the kids won't be able to see their friends. This is going to be a different summer but we will survive.

How is your summer going?