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Here's a fun paint project you can do with your kids to help them personalize their space:Use a base of latex paint and let your kids choose there favorite acrylic colors to mix in. Mask off a chair rail line and fill in with natural sponge. Roll on stripes with a 4" sponge roller, using a yard stick as a guide. Use a rubber stamp or sponge to apply an accent design.

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. If you re looking for ways to personalize your space and you re ready to go a step further than a simple coat of paint, try faux finishing. Faux, French for false, finishing techniques were developed centuries ago to evoke the feeling of expensive, elegant finishes without the extravagant expense. With just paint, glaze and a few simple tools, you can create the look of marble, leather, malachite, parchment, silk, even gold leaf on walls or furniture. You could even wood-grain a plain white door to look like mahogany. The possibilities are endless, but you ll want to develop your technique on practice boards first. Also, it helps to have a sample or a close-up photograph of the actual material you re imitating to use as a guide. The best tools are the simplest. Start with everyday paint supplies. You ll need an angled 2 nylon brush for cutting in, cotton rags, painter s tape and a good multi-purpose ladder. The tools for faux finishing are often things you already have at home such as a natural sea sponge, cheesecloth, combs, rags and feathers. Your biggest investment will probably be a variety of artist s brushes for veining, stippling, color washing and a badger brush for softening. Most techniques are variations on the same process. First, carefully clean, prep and prime your surface. Then, apply the base color using good-quality latex paint and let it dry completely. Apply a coat of untinted, faux technique glaze mixed with water and latex paint in the color you want. Then, tool it, sponge it, rag it, drag it or blend several colors according to the technique you re going for. Blend with a badger brush to soften any hard lines. Add veins, details or stippling last, and seal with a coat of polyurethane to protect your hard work. There are lots of great faux finishing books and web sites where you can find instructions for painting just about any finish you can think of. Or, try making one up yourself! Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Because it s one of the things we use the most, there are lots of reasons to replace an older toilet. Even if you don t mind that outdated shade of avocado, you re probably paying for twice the water you need for each flush and Old Faithful will inevitably fail when you least expect it. But never fear: Toilet replacement is usually a simple job for the do-it-yourselfer with basic skills. Here s how: First, close the water supply valve, then flush, bail and use a sponge to completely empty the toilet and tank. Uncap and remove the nuts from the base of the toilet. Then, detach the water supply line, starting with the tank end. If your toilet is a real antique, you may need to unbolt the tank from the bowl. Lift the old toilet off its bolts and check that the waste line is still attached to the floor flange. Make sure to repair any water damage to the subfloor. Clean out the remains of the old wax ring. And don t scrimp on a new one because that wax ring is what seals and stabilizes your toilet. Then follow the manufacturer s instructions to install your new water-saving toilet. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008