1. On the Wire - Mudroom Mania
2. Ask Tom & Leslie - On Location
3. Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
4. On the Air - iPod, uPod, We All Pod!
5. Dot Common Sense - Recycling Rechargeable Batteries
6. Fun Fact - The Right Stuff
7. Short Cuts - Time to Change
8. Share This Information With A Friend!

ON THE WIRE

From contemporary castles to classic cottages, new construction to tear-down remodels there is one must-have item right now: a mudroom. It doesn't even have to be an actual room. You can convert a coat closet, enlarged hallway or even the space under the stairs with a few coat hooks and a bench. Mudrooms serve as a sort of way station from outside to inside, a place where you can shed your coat and shake of the rain before going in the house. Fine Homebuilding recommends the key design elements for a hard-working mudroom, suggesting stone, tile or concrete floors; wainscot walls; and plenty of storage nooks and cubbies and good ventilation.

Location: Mudrooms often wind up in the back of the house, becoming an informal entry between the garage or driveway and the kitchen. This is the path most people typically follow, and having a mudroom along the way offers a measure of convenience.

Flooring: What's underfoot is a big concern because it will be exposed to a lot of foot traffic as well as a mix of dirt, sand, salt and water. Ceramic tile, stone, and concrete are tough enough but should be sealed carefully. Sheet vinyl is also a durable choice, which costs much less.

Storage: Cabinets should be planned around their indented use. Outdoor clothing required lots of dedicated space; lockers handle coats, hats, and book bags, while sweaters, mittens and gloves go on shelving. Pegs are another, less formal option.

Ventilation: You need air flow for drying wet clothes. Mudroom storage, whether cabinetry or hanging, should be spaced fare enough apart to allow wet clothes to dry.

Wall Surfaces: Keeping walls from getting battered by flying book bags, rambunctious dogs, or the random boot toss is important. Painted surfaces show dings and scrapes more readily than stained or natural wood; dark colors show less wear than lighter shades. Stained-pine tongue-and-groove paneling is a common solution that fits the bill.

Size: Generally, a mudroom design should allow for a minimum of 24 in. of storage plus walking space, or about a 5-ft. wide hallway. An additional 24 in. of width would yield space for a bench.

Read more in the current issue of Fine Homebuilding, on newsstands now, or on the web.

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ASK TOM & LESLIE

This week's question comes to us from Dennis in Bridgewater, Connecticut. Dennis says, "I've heard something about a big show in Las Vegas that features the latest in home improvement products. What can you tell me about it?"

Dennis, one of the really fun parts of our job is that we get to cover the big trade shows where we learn about all the new home improvement products, sometimes well before they even hit the store shelves. The show we think you are referring to is the National Hardware Show. It is one of the largest home improvement events in the world and is being held May 9th to the 11th in Las Vegas. While that show is not open to consumers, we will be there for you, so to speak, learning and reporting on all the wonderful new products being rolled out from the show. We will also be hosting a special remote broadcast of our program from the show floor that will air the weekend of May 13th. For more information on the 2006 National Hardware Show, please visit their web site at www.NationalHardwareShow.com.

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GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?

1. The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
2. Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. Weíll get back to you with the answer ñ or even call you back during the show!
3. Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.

ON THE AIR

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DOT COMMON SENSE

All big do-it-yourselfers are likely to have a full arsenal of power tools. The newest ones have a single battery that can be interchanged with different tools. So, what do you do with all those rechargeable battery packs from old power tools? If they're just lying around your garage or shed, there is a better way to deal with them. You can recycle them. The Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation can help you recycle used portable, rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. RBRC is dedicated to keeping cell phones and rechargeable batteries out of our nation's solid waste stream and preserving natural resources. Click here to learn about drop off sites in your area.

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FUN FACT

If you're hiring a contractor for your home improvement project, YOU should pick the products to be used. Most people choose their own brands of exterior paint and stain, but allow contractors to make buying decisions about products like asphalt roofing and vinyl siding. Don't do that! When YOU are doing-it-yourself - YOU are the one who shops for and chooses materials, right? You should have just as much input on materials for your DIRECT-it-yourself project as well. There are significant performance differences among products, and homeowners would do better to make the key decisions themselves.

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SHORT CUTS

Peter Brady said it best, "When it's time to change, you've got to rearrange". But, don't grab that sledgehammer just yet. You can make a big difference with just a little change. If you're decorating-challenged you don't have to do something as drastic as knock down a wall to get that whole new look. You could just paint walls a different color, re-arrange furniture or just change lighting to make a room look dramatically different. In fact, think "LIGHTSCAPE." Just like a landscape complements your home's exterior, arranging a light scheme can improve your interior. Mix and match task lights - like lights on your kitchen counter or desk - feature lights - like lights that feature art or highlight the area above your cabinets - with room lighting to come up with a perfect mix. Using dimmers when hooking these up can give you endless possibilities as well. And, if you'd like a bit more color but just don't know where to begin, here is a little tip that can help you decide. Use a compass to find out which way the windows in your room face. Then follow the sun. Your house, the quality of light in each individual room will change and impact which colors work best.

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