Install ceramic tile over a vinyl floor

Install ceramic tileover a vinyl floor
Ceramic tile is a most attractive floor covering and, believe it or not, can be installed directly over a vinyl floor. It's easy.
First, use a belt sander to clean and score the vinyl. Next, apply two coats of bonding agent. This will help the mortar stick to the floor.
As with any tile job, the most important step comes next -- layout lines. Always start laying tile from the center of the floor and outward toward the edges.
Keep it simple by using premixed mortar and work on one small area at a time.
A day of drying is needed before applying grout.
After grouting, apply a light vinegar wash; it will make your job shine.
Set up a tropical paradisein your own back yard
Picture yourself on an exotic tropical island. Living in paradise in your own little world. Relaxing, savoring the sun, sipping something tasty. You could have the life -- well, almost -- in your own back yard. Yes, your own back yard.
Home designer John Hardy, who has lived in Bali for the past 27 years, has created a backyard paradise for average folks. OK, not exactly average folks. But for homeowners who can afford to toss around $15,000.
Hardy's creation is a Bale, an open-sided bamboo pavilion with grass-thatched roof. The Bale is 13 feet high by 10.5 feet wide and features four mattresses, pillows and a low serving table, as well as cotton sheers on its perimeter.
The Bale can be assembled in your garden or back yard in just one day. The cost includes the Bale, delivery and on-site installation.
Call 866-4JHARDY or visit www.johnbali.com/bali.asp.
Tocca Beauty offerssmall, versatile candles
Send out the announcements -- there are eight new little additions to the Tocca Beauty family. Candelina, a line of eight individually packaged miniature candles, has just joined the Tocca candle family. At about a third the size of Tocca's Candela candles, Candelina candles (2.85 ounces) are ideal for travel, gift-giving or using around the home.
Each Candelina comes with its own Tocca matchbook, burns for about 20 hours and retails for $14. Candelina fragrances include Feu de Touch (gardenia and pomegranate), Cleopatra (cucumber and grapefruit) and Havana (sugarcane and rum).
They are available at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores and at www.beautyhabit.com. For more information, visit www.tocca.com or call (212) 929-7122.
Here are 101 waysto decorate 4 rooms
Sometimes all your next decorating project needs is a jolt of inspiration.
That's what you get with Hydra Publishing's new "101 Series," four little books, each with 101 suggestions for decorating schemes for a particular type of room.
The books -- "101 Bedrooms," "101 Living Rooms," "101 Kitchens" and "101 Bathrooms" -- give the reader a single photo for each scheme and a bit of information about the elements that went into creating the look. The designs are divided into themes, such as "Classic," "Creative," "Budget" and "Around the World."
The books aren't heavy on the how-tos, but they point do-it-yourself decorators in the right direction and include sources for furniture, paint, wallcoverings and the like.
The "101 Series" was written by Julie Savill. Each of the paperback books sells for $9.95.
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