The other day I spotted a little story about Java-Logs in Rachael Ray magazine and it reminded me that I had been wanting to try them since reading about them in Time magazine’s Best Invention list years ago. The Java-Log is made from recycled coffee grounds — and surely there must be an endless supply of those! They emit 70 to 80 percent less creosote than traditional fires, and each log burns for two to three hours. Well, we finally have a fireplace at our disposable, and this weekend was just chilly enough to test it out. Our Java-Log lit in a flash, and immediately started a lovely fire. It looked like a burning Tootsie-Roll. There is very little scent, and even standing close to the fire, very little heat. But it did burn evenly and beautifully for hours, and the equivalent (one piece of wood) would have disappeared in minutes. I would definitely recommend Java-Logs ($3.49 for a single log), but if you love the smell of wood or need to generate some heat, this new invention may not be for you. — Angela M.

Are you overdue for a new washing machine? Has your dishwasher seen better decades? Does have its own 19th Century measurements for temperature? AP Wagner is hosting a contest that could be worth your while. The prizes are good — Whirlpool, GE and Electrolux goods. To enter, you must submit a two minute video of you and your ancient appliance. A few videos are uploaded already, and they’re quite funny. Check them out here. Or if you’re digging the vintage stove in the photo above, skip the contest and look at Vintagestove.com, a site dedicated to restoring old models like new. They’re gorgeous!

Here’s a sign that our marriage is off to a great start. On the day of our wedding, before anyone arrived and we were still setting up, Chad and I hit a yard sale that was happening across the street. We scored two of these wooden-upholstery lounge chairs for $20 each. We immediately knew that we wanted to strip the black paint off them; it was already peeling. Chad spent a couple of days working on it — applying the stripper, and sanding it down. We’re going to put a glossy white paint over them and think it will be quite dandy. The debate we are having now is over the cushions. They are in sad shape. It looks like they’ve been reupholstered (badly) a couple of times — you can see some kind of fuzzy flokati layer peeking out underneath this one. Here’s my question for you: Do we need to get brand new cushions (and where do you buy those?) or can these be saved (and how)? I have a lot of ideas for fabric — definitely we’ll pick something bright and with a pattern. But first we need to plot what we need, and then go from there. Anyone got reupholstery tips share? Help! — Angela M.

Reader Susan R. has decorating dilemma. Any ideas for her?

What on earth can I do with a fifties pink bathroom if I don’t want to go retro? Replacing the sink, toilet, tub AND the wall and floor tile aren’t an option right now. I can paint walls and moulding, and replace towels and curtains. What can make the pink look modern? Thanks for suggestions. — Susan R.

My daughter just purchased a home that she is going to renovate. The home has been empty for a while and the toilet bowls are black. She has tried scrubbing with all of the normal bowl cleaners with only some results. Any suggestions? Thank you, Tricia

This sounds to us like a stain that was created over a long period of time by either hard, hard water or high mineral content (like manganese) in the water. Make sure your daugther gets the water tested for all those sorts of things — they could lead to more trouble and deposits in your pipes in the future. As far as the stains go, something unconventional will be needed, though we’re not sure what. She has to drain all the water to really be able to get in there. Many people swear by pumice rocks. Honestly, it may be so much work, she may just want to consider replacing with a newer, less-water consuming update anyhow. Do you have any suggestions for Tricia and her daughter? Please help!

Chad gave new meaning to the term Labor Day after deciding to tackle the part of the roof that needed replacing on our new old house upstate. I thought he was nuts when he announced his intentions for the weekend — how could one man do this by himself? But sure enough, he got it done! It took a few trips to Lowes to gather all the raw materials — roofing shingles are insanely heavy — which cost about $350 total (including knee pads). The job was definitely hot, and smelly and exhausting, and I don’t think he’ll be volunteering for such a task again any time soon. But in the end he saved us at least $1000 by doing it himself, which is great because last week we had a surprise cost thrown a us — about $2000 for new water filter to take the excessive sulfur and yucky rotten egg smell out of our water. We had noticed it vaguely during the inspection, but it’s not till you’re taking a shower in the stuff that you realize how gross it is. Ah, the joys of home owning! (I’ll get to some decor stuff later, much more fun!) — Angela M.

One of the first things we did in our new cottage is light a smudge stick. We brought this one back from New Mexico with us in May, and have been saving it for just this thing. Mostly, I just love the smell of burning sage, but it is a nice ritual you can do to “cleanse” a new house and make it yours. I lit the sage (you have to blow on a it a bit to get it burning and to create a nice smoke trail), and then I walked along the perimeters of each room, circling it with the sage stick. The idea is that you do so to “purge negative spririts.” It sounds a little woo-ey, but it is a nice way to kick off a new place. You can read more about smudging rituals here and here. Regardless of whether you believe the spirituality aspects of them, they smell divine and make great housewarming gifts. Click here to buy some ($4/each) from a store in Taos. No plane tickets necessary!

Does anyone know how to color grout in-between cermaic tile .. I have white grout now and it got dirty was wondering if have to scrape out old grout to redo it or just put down newer grout over the old grout. Thank You! — Judy

Thanks for your question, Judy. Yes, the common thought is you should scrape out the old grout before you put down the new stuff. It’s a pain, but not as hard as it sounds. Check out this how-to over at This Old House. They say the job can be done with a simple, pointy-tip bottle opener. Over at e-How, their advice is similar. It is best to match the new grout color with the old, but that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t get rid of the old yucky stuff first.

We must say that we love the way the home design community is stepping up to create affordable, sustainable housing for New Orleans’ recovery. First there was the adorable Lowe’s Katrina Cottage Series, and now comes this amazingly chic, green house from the Holy Cross Project. Global Green, in partnership with Brad Pitt, and with sponsorship by Home Depot, held a sustainable design competition last year and selected this entry from Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen of Workshop/APD in New York as the winner. The house comes complete with water cisterns, solar panels, reclaimed wood floors, and more savvy things. Construction is already underway. Click here to read more about the houses and view the project’s progress.

I know you’ve probably seen and/or undertaken bigger projects, but here’s my little do-it-yourself experiment.

I found this chair on the street, walked by, left it, then went back and carried it home. I stripped the layers of gunky, yellow paint — I needed to get creative getting it out of the cut-outs, etc.  It took around four after-work night sessions to strip. There was a LOT of paint. My friend Curtis helped me with the cushion (I was clueless) — but in the end, it was easy. It would probably take one day if someone had the time to just sit there and scrape paint, and didn’t choke from the thinner. I the end, I stained it mahogany and then re-built the cushion and staple-gunned brown mohair (purchased at Zarin’s) and voila! I wouldn’t necessarily buy a chair like this, but it’s not bad considering it was cost me practically nothing. — Shawn T.