What can you tell me about Paperstone? I'm interested in it for use as a work-top in a garage, and in my laundry room with my washer and dryer below.

How durable is it? Can it get wet? How does fragility or strength compare to other solutions? What about price? Availability around here?

Obviously, I'm interested in its green/sustainable characteristics, and it just sounds kind of cool ... Thanks! Great blog, btw. Your answers are more thorough than many of these things.

Jeannie S.

Jeannie,

Thanks for the complimentary remarks on the blog.  It's fun and challenging for me.  Thanks for thinking of

Mason, enjoy your articles. After 12 years in the refacing business, I finally started my own co. What do you think of the laminate and veneer process? Since I am now also doing sales, I could use any sales pitches you might have.  Thanks!

Kirk B Reno, NV

Kirk,

Congratulations on taking the jump to ownership.  Remember, you're not your own boss... now you have so many more bosses - your customers!

I confess that when I first read your inquiry, I felt a bit like Sarah Palin being quizzed on the Bush Plan.  I want to fess up "Gee, gize, I'm not likely a good source to comment on the technicalities

Everyone is familiar with those shows on cable television, following the processes wherein homes are bought and sold.  Designed to Sell, House Hunters, Curb Appeal, and others have become Home & Garden TV phenomena.

While so much of home improvement television is deeply rooted in fantasy, these shows have some real-world applications.  Richmond's own Nancy Frazier of Long & Foster Real Estate is likely one of the most experienced and successful agents in our area.  Over the course of hundreds of listings, sales and buyer representation, Nancy has learned exactly what attracts buyers, and makes

Some of the earliest signs of the present economic troubles appeared in the nation's housing industry.  Presently, new home starts (as indicated by permit activity) have dredged 25-year lows, and existing home sales have fallen even as they become seemingly more affordable amidst heretofore unseen devaluation.  As lenders tighten their practices, real estate finance has become markedly more conservative, decreasing the ability for many to obtain credit for purchases and improvements.

While the daily headlines emphasize these and other domestic economic problems, is it any surprise that

Who thought the interest in gambling would be so great that the World Series of Poker would be televised on ESPN?  Obviously, somebody's watching.

An interesting point in that regard, quoting Pug Pearson, 1973 World Series of Poker champion, made this observation about human nature:

"The real thing to know is that folks will stand to lose more than they will to win.  That's the most important percentage there is.  I mean, if they lose, they're willin' to lose everything.  If they win, they're usually satisfied to win only enough to pay for dinner and a show..."

I was thinking about this