Back at the governor's mansion, some gorgeous silk drapes are being hung in the ballroom, and Bob visits the shop where they are made.

Bob and interior designer Leslie Curtis discuss the window treatments in this episode. Curtis is working in the dining room, where Kevin Murphy from Smith + Noble is on site finishing up the installation of the company�s window treatment hardware. Curtis chose a twisted rod made from mahogany and located the curtain rod brackets outside of the window�s frame for a better view of the home�s landscaping. The curtains are shipped with the rings attached and are ready to hang once they are unpacked. Bob screws the first finial into the predrilled hole in the curtain rod and slides the rod through the curtain rings. Then, the second finial is attached and the rod is simply placed on the wall brackets. Curtis ordered curtains slightly long to create a slight puddle of fabric at the floor for a more formal look.

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. Before you add to your electric bill trying to keep cool this summer, add something to your windows instead. The first principle of passive cooling is to keep the heat from getting inside. Even though it seems like a wintertime activity, weatherstripping your windows and doors and caulking gaps can really make a difference in summer, too. There are lots of ways to shade your windows from the sun, and if they seem a little old-fashioned, it s because they worked even before there was air conditioning. Large roof overhangs and porches, awnings, shutters and louvers can all be seen on old southern homes. Awnings can actually reduce summer heat gain by up to three-quarters. And you can remove them in winter to let the sunlight in when you need it. Light-colored awnings are best because they deflect more heat. Solar screens are another option. Installed outdoors, they can cut heat gain in half, and you can still enjoy the view. Interior window treatments aren t quite as effective as the outdoor methods, but they re better than nothing. Densely woven fabric drapes, Venetian blinds or roller shades will control some heat gain just by keeping out direct sunlight. Again, lighter colors are most effective. If you re replacing your windows, ask about low-E glass. A low-E, or low-emissivity coating, depending on which surface of the window it s applied to, can keep heat where you want it and keep your costs down year-round. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Staging your home or creating a clean, well-presented space that draws positive attention can add 15 to 20 percent to the selling price. You can hire a professional stylist or do it yourself. Here are the basics. First, clear the junk. Ruthlessly trash clutter and pack away personal items like family photos and knickknacks. Rent a self-storage space for half your furniture. Empty closets and most of the kitchen cabinets and rearrange rooms to show more floor space. Re-paint areas that show wear and tear or where expressions of personal taste might be distracting, and make the obvious repairs like leaky faucets and cracked window panes. Extra storage space in sheds, attics, basements and garages is a very good selling point, so clear them out as well. Junk removal services can save a lot of backache and disposal hassles. Scrub everything, including the windows, and let in light and fresh air. open the drapes. If they re worn or outdated, take them down. Imagine you re taking photos for a magazine: Fluff the pillows, set the dining room table and never underestimate the power of fresh flowers. Don t forget the yard. Get rid of any piles of debris, re-seed the lawn, weed the garden and lose that old patio furniture. Who knows after all that, you might not want to move! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. To get your home ready for entertaining, first look at it with the eye of a realtor. Does it need a little TLC to feel more welcoming? Do you need to update your wallpaper or change the paint color? Re-upholster the furniture? Are your drapes worn or do they just need washing? Maybe purchasing a key new piece of furniture or just some throw pillows will be enough of a change to freshen up a drab house. Remember, not everything has to match or be perfect; it should just be clean, uncrowded and inviting. Also, remember that lighting can make or break a room. This is a great time to add dimmer switches or a new floor lamp in that dark corner. Halogen track lighting gives you the control you need to wash a wall or focus on your favorite artwork without making your guests feel like they re in the spotlight. Clear off as many surfaces as you can. Framed photos make great conversation starters, but arranging them on a wall instead of your coffee table will clear the way for food, drinks and games. If you re going to have overnight guests, pay special attention to the spare bedroom. First, get rid of the clutter that always ends up there. Add a fresh coat of paint, an area rug, new bed linens, all in one color family or theme. Simple touches like putting bottled water, fresh towels and guest soap in a large, wicker basket will make your guests feel pampered. With a few updates, you ll enjoy having your friends and family over and you ll love it even when the party s over! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Bob and our designer, Robyn, take us on a tour of the master bedroom and Bath. Starting in Bath Bob points out the simple extravagant Mexican tile peacocks on the wall of the bathtub surround and shower. Jim Schneider uses ultra glass to mold glass into a pattern. In the Bedroom Robyn found a new hand painted chest from Peru. It is decorated inside and out. The fabrics in the bedroom linen pillows with a hand stitched pattern and 100% cotton Battenberg sheets. She used unbleached twill for the drapes that match the sofas downstairs. The Antiqued wood cabinetry adds warmness to the bedroom. The painting over the mantel is The Dancer by Juan Jose Seguro from Madrid in 1941.

Bob tours the front vestibule, highlighting the beautiful stencil work done by Kim Sweet. The stencil work replaced moldings in many homes of this nineteenth century era. The stencil work is not just on the wall but extends to the ceiling. This small vestibule will take the artist four days to complete using oil based paint. Greg Rochlin meets with Bob to discuss a few architectural pieces that borrow modern technology, combine stock pieces to antiques to create an authentic paneled wall and inlayed flooring. Bob meets with Susanne Csongor and Christine Lane of CLC Interiors to discuss some of the choices made in decorating the dining room and front hall. They used dense busy patterned wallpaper in the small dining room to give it an intimate feel. Combining it with red cotton chintz drapes with goblet pleats to accent the berries in the wallpaper. A Russian rug on the floor in the hallway was the color palette inspiration for this room as well as a blue Greek turnkey pattern for the runner up the stairs.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Kids grow so fast, it doesn t take long before their rooms can feel pretty small. But before you plan an addition, here are some simple solutions that might help. One way to make a bedroom feel larger is to cover cluttered shelves and TV and computer screens with cabinet doors or a simple fabric panel. If two kids over age 5 share a room, bunk beds work wonders and can be lots of fun dressed up with curtains or canopies. Or for long, narrow spaces, take your cue from nautical berths or Swedish box beds with a short dividing wall between the beds and curtains for privacy. Often what feels like lack of space is just clutter taking over. You might want to give the toys their own space: an alcove, an enclosed porch or a wide hallway is a great place for built-in shelves or benches with toy storage underneath, keeping the bedroom just for sleeping. To make shelves neater and more efficient, try installing slide-out baskets or organizing toys and art supplies in clear bins with labels. Store some toy bins away and then re-circulate them after a while to keep them interesting and your child amused. It might seem like overkill, but the kid in all of us benefits from having a place for everything and bins and labels eliminate a lot of excuses when it comes time to clean up! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Bob is joined by Kara Roberts of Smith & Noble, who shows the newly installed metal blinds and curtains. The blinds have a brushed metal finish to coordinate with the rest of the apartment and were ordered custom from their online catalog. Smith & Noble also supplies custom bedding, like the linens and slipcovered headboard selected for the Miami condo. The X-shaped table at the foot of the bed is a reasonably priced accent piece of split bamboo, also from Smith & Noble.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. While washing day has come a long way since the tub and washboard, it can still feel like drudgery if your laundry area needs help. Because it s so often relegated to the basement, garage or shared space in a bathroom or hallway, the laundry room needs small-space solutions to make washing a more pleasant and efficient chore. Make the best use of the floor space you have like they did a century ago in the great American bungalow: Install a drop-in ironing board or work surface and hide them away when they re not in use. A wall-mounted, accordion-style drying rack can provide 25 feet of hanging space without using any floor space at all and it saves energy. If the floor is concrete, painting it and adding an area rug would help underfoot. Keep the floor clear by using laundry sorting bins. Use shelves and labeled baskets to catch laundry that is set aside for mending or donation. If your laundry s in the mudroom or hallway, work it into the d cor by installing a countertop over the machines and hanging a curtain or louvered doors in front. If it s time for new machines, many new models have storage pedestal drawers to hide the detergent bottles and save your back while you load and unload the laundry. And remember to always look for the energy star label to save water and energy costs. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008