We've been in for 4 1/2 months now and overall are very happy with how our new home turned out. Things I love: Wood floors - Ours are 4" white oak, site finished in a medium stain color, satin finish(not shiny). Dover white laquer painted woodwork, mouldings, and cabinetry. We have stained cabinets in a couple of bathrooms, and I'm glad I didn't go stained in the kitchen and rest of the house. The stained acts like a dust magnet and washes out the paint color on the walls. But most of all, white wood against painted walls and hardwood floors just makes me happy.:-) Love my kitchen. Thank you kitchen forum! Definitely pay a visit over there if you're just getting started. -It turned out beautiful(white custom cabs, arched hood, wood floors) -Lots of well placed lighting all on dimmers -Functional, large layout with specific work zones -Danze faucets and pot filler -Silgranit sinks(love the big single basin and the round prep!) -Bosch ovens -Dacor 36" gas cooktop -Kitchenaid DW and Fridge -Giallo Ornamental granite -Microwave built into the island -Trash pullout -Tons of deep drawers instead of cabinet doors -Step in pantry Smart Strand carpet - feels and looks great - LOVE IT!!! Love our huge paved, curvy driveway and walkways. Lots of room for the kids to ride bikes, scooters, and play basketball. Huge covered porches front and back Exercise room off of master for treadmill and weights Walk in attic access from upstairs Huge bonus room upstairs Big laundry room with 2 washer and 2 dryer hookups, quartz folding countertop, deep stainless sink, and plenty of storage. Love that the dryers vent right outside, not up through walls and then to the roof like our last house. Makes cleaning the duct a huge pain and cuts down on effiency. Sound system with speakers throughout and on back porch Paint colors - Tobacco Road(main), Dover White(woodwork) Lots of lighting throughout almost all on dimmers Schlage door hardware and deadbolts Love being out in the country on a little land with tons of trees and a pond. Peaceful and lots of room for the kids to play and explore. Things I'd do differently - Insulate wall where upstairs bath plumbing runs downstairs for sound reduction. Put in sprinkler system - On the list to do next spring Wish we would've upgraded to satin or eggshell paint in the bonus and kids rooms. Went with flat to save money figuring we could always repaint later.

Hi there - I had one (actually, I think I still have it somewhere). It worked well, and I used it quite a bit at first but then the interest just faded away after about a month. It was one of those "seemed like a good idea at the time" things. However, your question was whether they work. In my experience, yes, quite well! Hmmmmm....maybe I should dig it out again. I wonder where it is! LoL. Suzieque

I travel with one carry-on and a tote bag, even for a three week trip to France, Italy or the UK. I stopped using packing cubes many years ago as they add to the bulk. I roll my clothes and make sure everything works together to make different outfits. In Paris, it's easy to have a wardrobe based on black in the cooler months and navy blue in the warmer months. I stay in a Paris apartment with a washer, so I can do laundry when needed. Shoes = difficult decision. I now use one pair of Italian Aquitalia short boots (I have both black and tan, depending on the season) that are stylish, comfortable and waterproof. I also take a pair of AGL ballet flats (I have black and nude, depending on the season). I have a pair of navy Repetto sneakers that I bought in Paris two years ago. I haven't yet taken those back with me. When I was in Paris in July 2014, the weather was HOT and HUMID. I had to wash my clothes a lot and I had comfortable gladiator sandals with me, too. I have a spinner, but I take that only if I'm on a carrier from the US. It's too large for European planes. If I'm connecting from a US airline to a European, I have to take a smaller carryon bag, such as a GoLite (went out of business).

My father was an attorney and instilled in me a health respect for legal problems. He never hired an occasional laborer without checking on licensing and insurance. If they didn't have it he arranged for a small fee a rider on his policy. He also made me in the 90's get a million dollar umbrella policy and I never had a million worth of anything.. Imagine the amount one should have now. In my current condo the organization hired a company to fix some outside flood lights. They arrived without the appropriate ladder and the super gave him the condo's. Of course the ladder slipped and he fell. The laborer claims he hurt his shoulder, but didn't lose a single day of work. He sued the condo and the condo insurance settled for $75,000. The condo is now having a hell of a time finding insurance because of this black mark. Now no-one works in the condo with out proof of insurance and our condo specifically included. In short you are not being to careful. I would be leery of any company that had workers, but no insurance.