Home & Garden Tips

By Sonia Gallegos

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Going Green in Your Kitchen

There are a lot of benefits of your kitchen going green but don’t think you need to do a major overhaul. Every little helps so why not take one project at a time? Such as switching out your older appliances. Appliances approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Energy Star program use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models, reducing energy costs. Also did you know the kitchen contributes its share of indoor air pollution through cooking fumes and gases from flooring, paints, cabinets and countertops? EPA estimates that Americans spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors, and the concentration of pollutants indoors is often 10 to 100 times greater than outdoors. You can reduce the pollutants by using Eco-safe paints and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-free materials. VOCs typically are emitted by paints, wood preservatives and other sources.

Besides your heating and cooling equipment, your kitchen is the energy hog of your home! You can thank your refrigerator for that along with the many other appliances in your kitchen. The easiest way to go green is to toss energy-gobbling appliances and check out what EPA recommends. It will definitely fatten your wallet in the years to come!

Here are some other ideas you may want to consider:

Cabinets – There are not many green alternatives and you may have to pay a premium in your area. Most cabinetry is treated with toxic chemicals which can give off gasses that can be harmful to your health. You should look for cabinets made from solid wood, or alternative materials such as wheatboard, and finished with nontoxic finishes from companies like Neil Kelly Cabinets and Humabuilt.

Faucets – There are faucets with aerators. The aerators push air bubbles in the water stream to attain the same pressure but uses less water.

Tankless Water Heaters – see my July 30, 2007 tip on Demand water heaters.

These are only the tip of the iceberg. Do some research and see how green you can go!

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Did You Know That Colors Can Affect Your Mood?

Are you thinking about painting your walls and can’t decide what color you should use? Or maybe buying some furniture or decorative pieces and can’t decide on a color scheme? Well did you know that colors can influence your mood? Whether you are interested in revamping your entire home or just fixing up a room, keep these following tips in mind.

If you need to focus and be productive, you should think about painting or decorating with the golden curry color. If your work is more intellectual such as writing and editing go for the deepest eggplant purple. Please don’t stray from the color with violet or bright purple. Since these colors tend to stimulate the recollection of pleasant memories and make you nostalgic. You will probably never get anything done!

If you want to create a successful business atmosphere, try a deep plum or a really dark blue. You don’t have to necessarily paint your walls this color. You could have decorative pillows, pictures on the walls or decorative pieces on the shelves or on the table using this color. Most people associate these colors with stability and wealth.

Use a limeade color or even raspberry color for a room you do the most entertaining in. If you have a study room for your children, grey is a great color.

These are just some suggestions. If you are a little skeptical, did you know some of the biggest companies spend millions of dollars to create the color scheme in their logos? Maybe you should do some research before deciding on a color. It just may change your life!

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Simplify Your Life With Decluttering

Have you ever looked around your home and wondered how did I collect so much stuff? Do you have more than one junk drawer or are your closet so packed that nothing else will fit? Do you feel overwhelmed when you look around? It’s time to declutter your home! Here are some general tips for tackling such a huge task.

Break down a large project like this into small and manageable tasks such as one drawer or one closet at a time. Of course if you are up for the challenge one room at a time. Always have a donation box and a trash bag handy. When you sort and weed through your stuff don’t keep things for the sake of keeping them. It becomes a quality versus quantity issue. It's better to have a few items you truly love and enjoy than many items you don't really like that take up so much space. Always remember "quality over quantity," and you'll simplify your life. Be discriminating. Keep your favorites, toss the trash, and donate the extras. Maybe pick a great charity that can use your extras so you wouldn’t feel too horrible of letting them go? Put the donations in your car now and drop them off as soon as possible or else it may become car clutter!

If you find broken items that you plan to fix "one day" you should be realistic. Will you ever get around to it? Chances are that you won’t. Toss it.

Paperwork, mail, and warranties litter you space? Immediately throw away papers you don’t need and file the rest. Maybe even remove yourself from mass mailings (www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html)

Give away the clothes, shoes, and any other items you haven’t used in a year.

It takes time and energy to declutter. Do a little every day or week and make continual progress. Staying organized requires regular maintenance. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Think about how wonderful your life is going to be when your environment is organized and clutter free.

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Have You Heard of Fall Vegetable Gardening?

This was my first year that I had my very own vegetable garden. A good gardener learns from mistakes from the previous year and keeps learning through research and advice from fellow gardeners. So in other words my vegetable garden left much to be desired. I threw in the towel a few days ago and assumed I would have another chance next spring to prove that I had a green thumb. Then someone mentioned to me about fall vegetable gardening. There are a wide variety of vegetable you can plant for this time of year! Apparently your fall vegetable garden may do even better than your spring/summer garden due to the decreased insect and disease problems because of the cooler temperatures. Also the fact that the weather tends to be more consistent in the fall than in the spring.

Below are some great examples of fall gardening vegetables:

Broccoli: "Packman" is a good, early maturing, broccoli variety. If you want to get multiple harvests off of the same plant, try a variety such as "De Cicco" which produces an abundance of side shoots after the main broccoli head is harvested.

Garlic: Fall is the time to plant garlic for harvest next spring! In colder areas of the country, try stiffneck garlics such as "Russian Red". For warmer areas, the spicier softneck garlics such as "Inchelium Red" are well worth a try.

Cabbage: Try "single serving" sized varieties such as "Gonzales" or beautiful, anti-oxidant rich, red cabbages such as "Super Red 80"

Lettuce: Plant "Rouge D'Hiver", "Val D'Orge", "Four Seasons", "Reine Des Glaces" and other cold tolerant lettuces for fresh salads all season long.

Kale: kale will often keep you supplied with fresh greens well into winter, especially if you plant winter hardy varieties such as "Winterbor" or "True Siberian"

Once you have decided on what you will want to grow, you will have to get the soil ready for planting your fall crops. Make sure you remove all your old dead plants from the spring. Then adequately till and amend your soil (with lime, compost, etc.) as needed.

Round two!

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Have you Neglected Your Dishwasher?

Did you know your dishwasher gets dirty too? It is often the most neglected appliance in the kitchen. You would think that the dishwasher washes itself every time you run a load of dirty dishes, right? Wrong. Dishwashers need regular routine cleaning just like every large, frequently used appliance in your home. All the gunk you leave on your dishes fall to the bottom of the dishwasher tub until they are ready to run. These tiny bits of food, grease and soap scum cling together and are deposited in corners of the dishwasher and in crevices around the door. Your dishwasher could get pretty grimy over the years. This is especially true of dishwashers with plastic tubs versus the stainless steel varieties. Although stainless steel certainly do get dirty too, the white plastic tubs just show it more.

Did you also know if the cleaning temperature of your cleaning water is too low, your dishes do not get cleaned as well and your dishwasher actually gets dirty faster? Numerous manufacturers recommend 120 degrees or higher for effective cleaning. But there are others that say for proper cleaning and disinfection, water must be at 140 degrees.

Besides the food buildup, you may also face rust, mold, scale, and discoloration. Below are some general tips using items you may have around the house. Please note that the dishwasher should be empty when you run it and do not add any detergent. Run your dishwasher on its hottest setting for all the cleaning methods below.

Rust is often found in the water in many homes and will discolor the inside of your dishwasher. To remove rust stains, run one half container of Tang Orange Drink Mix (Tang is high in citric acid). If deposits are removed but some stains remain, add a cup of bleach and run the dishwasher empty. For mold, add in one cup of bleach and run the empty dishwasher. This will whiten and brighten the tub and kill any mold that is growing. Over time water in the dishwasher will create discolorations and deposits. To clean these, add one half container of Tang Orange Drink Mix. You may need to wipe the inside of the dishwasher with a sponge to remove the rest of the scale. Cleaners will often loosen the debris, but because scale is so stubborn it may need to be physically wiped off. For discoloration and general cleaning you should run one cup of vinegar and one cup of baking soda. If discoloration still remains, add one cup of bleach and one cup of vinegar and run through a regular cycle. You should also make sure the holes on the shower arms are not clogged for optimal cleaning. There are also dishwasher cleaning agents you can buy at your grocery store.

Happy cleaning!

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Check Out Demand Water Heaters

Say goodbye to the huge clunky hot water heaters of the past and say hello to the tankless water heaters. Demand (also commonly referred to as tankless or instantaneous) water heaters are common in Japan and Europe. They have been available in the U.S. for about 25 years but are just recently rising in popularity.

Water heating accounts for 20% or more of an average household's annual energy expenditures. Traditional storage tank-type water heaters raise and maintain the water temperature to the temperature setting on the tank (usually between 120-140 degrees). The heater does this even if no hot water is drawn from the tank. With demand heaters the water is heated instantaneously on demand. It takes more time for the water to get to the faucet than it does to heat. Demand water heaters don't produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters, which can result in significant energy and dollar savings

Tankless water heaters also save money over time due to life expectancy. The average 40 gallon storage tank will last 13 years, has an initial cost of $380, and uses $179 in fuel per year. An average whole house tankless water heater will last 20 years, have an initial cost of $800, and will use $90 per year to operate. This breaks down to a per year operating cost of $208.23 for the conventional heater; and $130 for the modern on-demand tankless water heater. When you take those savings over the life of the heater; the cost savings are even more attractive.

Demand water heaters also save space. An average conventional water heater is about 60" tall, 22" wide, and 22" deep. The average tankless water heater is about 25" tall, 14" wide, and 10" deep. Tankless water heaters are generally wall-mounted, which can save even more space.

In terms of comfort, demand water heaters deliver virtually unlimited hot water. If you are thinking about replacing your current water heater and would like to consider a demand tankless water heater contact Adam Gallegos for more information and to help you find a local dealer.

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The Right House Plant For You

House plants are not only a great living decoration but helps clean the air in your home. You don’t need a green thumb to grow healthy house plants. You just need to understand the basic needs plants have for light and water.

As you know, plants process food through photosynthesis. Different plants have different light needs. There are three types of light needs. 1. Direct sunlight -- sunlight hits the plant directly, without any barrier. 2. Indirect sunlight -- light shines in a room but not directly on a plant. 3. Diffused light -- light is filtered through a screen or sheer curtain before reaching the plant. When purchasing a houseplant, you should consider where you would like to place the plant. Once you have found a location, you need to figure out what type of light is in that area and buy a plant accordingly.

Too much or too little water will kill your plant. Different plants need different amounts of moisture between watering. Some like moist soil between waterings, while others like to dry out completely. This is another important factor to consider when deciding on a plant. If you travel a lot or know you will forget to water it often – choose a plant that doesn’t need much water..

When buying a plant check for insects by looking at the underside of leaves and avoid plants with drought stress which is indicated by yellow foliage. Also be sure your container has a drainage hole in it. Without it, the roots may rot and in turn kill your plant. If there are no drainage holes, you could add gravel to the bottom of the pot and set the plant on top of the rocks.

The following are plants that don’t require a lot of attention:

Chinese evergreen has bright foliage that works in low-light conditions. It doesn't flower, but the silver in its leaves offers nice contrast in dark spots in the home.

Corn plant is a great choice for a sunny spot near a window. It comes in several forms, one with a broad leaf and white trim, another with spikier leaves and color variations. Another form of the dracaena is the false palm, which looks like a miniature palm tree.

Devil's ivy is one of the sturdiest and easiest plants for indoor gardeners to grow. Slow-growing, it has trailing leaves and foliage marbled with either green or white.

Peace lily has broad dark green leaves and bears a creamy white flower with a yellow center. It needs more moisture than some of the other upright plants and does well in a moderate light conditions.

Prayer plant has dark green spots on its leaves with red or white veining. It does well in low-light conditions but needs consistent watering.

Snake plant a succulent that needs very little water, can thrive in a variety of conditions.

With this basic knowledge you should have no problem keeping your houseplants alive and healthy. Though if you still manage to kill your plants, maybe you should consider buying a fake plant and an air filter to make up for it.

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Tips for Wine Storage

Are you thinking about purchasing a wine rack or wine cabinet for your home? Not sure where would be the right place for it? Understanding proper storage will help you make a smarter decision.

When selecting a location for this storage/display furniture, you should keep light and temperature in mind. A perfect location will have a cool temperature and little light. Temperature is very important since heat affects the aging of wine by maturing it faster. If the wine matures too quickly, the fruit will develop a different taste and possibly lose its flavor. Ideally, the temperature should be between 55 and 65 degrees. If this is not possible you should select a wine that you plan to enjoy in six months or less. You also want to avoid temperature fluctuations (i.e. by a window or vent). Temperature variations may cause the cork to expand and contract, letting air into the bottle. The wine can become oxidized under these conditions. Also chill your red and white wines before serving. Even red wines should be brought down from room temperature to about 60 degrees.

Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, it can be harmful to your wine! This exposure will result in a change or loss in the flavor. If you must display your wine in a sunny room, there are many wine cabinets or wine storage racks that can help reduce the exposure to direct sunlight.

Last but not least, all wines should be stored horizontally. Laying on its side allows the cork to maintain moisture and for the sediments to collect on the bottom of the bottle. Oh and one more tip, the wine storage system you have should prevent you from moving several bottles in order to reach another bottle. You should also have the label side up so you don’t have to move it to see what it is. The less you handle the wine, the better!

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Have You Thought About Your Indoor Air Quality?

Most people spend as much as 80-90% of their lives indoors. I know I do! We work, sleep, relax, eat, drink and socialize in enclosed environments where air circulation may be limited. For these reasons, some experts think that more people experience allergies from indoor air pollution than outdoor air pollution. There are even studies that show indoor air pollution takes more of a toll on your health than outdoor air pollution.

What’s in your indoor air? Typically, there are human skin particles, pollen, dust, dust mites (microscopic creatures that feed on dust), household cleaners (full of chemicals), and even air fresheners. Another big source of air pollution is from your dry-cleaned clothes! They emit a number of chemicals that can be harmful. Strangely, our indoor air has many of the same chemicals people have spent so much time and money trying to reduce outdoors.

What can we do in our homes to create a healthier air quality? Here are just a few steps to follow:

1. Invest in an electronic air cleaner/purifier. They can be expensive. If you have one installed professionally, you’re looking at about $500-$800. But it will be worth it! If the price is too steep, than invest in a portable unit. Though keep in mind that they only clean the air in one room.

After a bit of research, I found that the IQAir HealthPro air purifier is the best overall. To prove it, this is the brand that the Hong Kong Hospital Authority chose as the only room air cleaner powerful enough to be used during the SARS outreak.

2. Try to reduce the chemicals you use in your home such as cleaning products. If possible switch to natural household products that contain fewer toxic chemicals. But if you have to use strong chemicals, use it sparingly and follow the instructions especially about ventilation.

3. As I mentioned earlier, dry-cleaned items emit a lot of chemicals. You shouldn’t put them immediately in the closet. You should take the plastic off and allow the cleaned items to air out for a day or two in a well ventilated area. Then, recover the items with plastic (or not) and store them in a closet.

4. Change the type of filters on your furnace. The traditional filters are not designed to clean the air. Its sole purpose is to catch large particles such as hair and debris from damaging the furnace blower. There are filters that actually trap enough particulate matter to help humans breathe better. Unfortunately, the better the filter the more expensive they are. Prices range from $7 to $100!

5. These days homes are so well insulated and tightly sealed that it keeps the toxins in! Be sure to open your windows regularly and let some outdoor air in. It helps to run your fans to get the air circulating.

6. Plants, plants, plants! They are great at removing toxins from your home. They say two plants per hundred square feet. Some plants work harder than others such as peace lilies, spider plants, and areca palms.

Hope this improves the air quality in your home. Happy breathing!

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Lighting 101

When most people think of decorating their home they immediately think of the color of the walls, type of furniture, art and accessories. Often ignored but just as important is the lighting. If done properly, it can truly bring a room together for a functional and finished look.

There are many types of lighting: general; task; accent; ambient; aesthetic; and natural. You should always layer a room with all different types of light. General lighting would include ceiling fixtures or floor lamps. This type gives general lighting to the room. Task lighting would include table lamps. You would use this type to create activity spaces such as a place for reading. Ambient lighting would include wall scones or those Japanese paper shades. A hidden source of light that can soften the mood in the room. Accent lighting usually directs light to art, object or architectural feature. Aesthetic lighting can be purely decorative such as a neon sculpture. Then there is the natural light which includes candle light or fire light.

Here are some guidelines you may want to follow. If a room is too tall, use low luminaries that let no light out the top to help shorten those high ceilings. If a room is too small, visually push one wall open by washing it with light. If a room is too wide, illuminate the narrow ends. Conversely, if a room is too narrow, illuminate the wide sides. Give floor lamps plenty of space. The larger the lamp the bigger the space should be. When choosing a table lamp make sure the height is right. If the table lamp is too tall, all you would be seeing is the bright bulb. Typically, you should use long-necked lamps for low tables and short-necked lamps for tall tables.

Up lights, down lights and wall washers work well together. Dimmers on your lighting are great! Balancing lights in a room will make all the difference.

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Wooden Decks – Don’t Forget They Need Maintenance Too!

Have you ever looked at your wooden deck or porch and notice that the wood just doesn’t look as great as it did the year before? Well that’s because it needs maintenance too! Wood is definitely the preferred material for decks not only for its beauty; it is also durable, stable and easy to work with. But wood can also deteriorate quickly if not maintained properly. Sunlight, moisture, temperature, microorganisms and particulates all contribute to the deterioration. For example the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight breaks down the cellular structure in the wood resulting in a "graying effect”. Moisture causes mold and mildew to grow which will cause green, black, or gray discoloration. If you notice your boards are splitting, cracking or have raised nails, this indicates a moisture problem. And when I say particulate, I mean dirt, soot, pollen, and food. Wood is a porous material and it can become clogged with all these organic particulates which provide nutrients for microbial growth and accelerate the wood deterioration.

There are many ways to clean the wood. Phosphoric acid is one method which removes the gray stains on unfinished decks and is environmentally sound. There is also bleach, which can be used to kill mildew. Power washing will strip off the outer dead cellular layers along with particulates and microorganisms. You should definitely do some research to find out what method is best for your situation.

There are two types of finishes/coatings for the deck once it has been cleaned. Those that form a film on top of the wood (often less expensive), and those that penetrate into the wood. The film-forming finishes can’t tolerate the shrinking and swelling of wood caused by moisture. Where as the penetrating film finishes absorb into the wood while saturating the surface fibers at the same time. Many penetrating products introduce preservatives, mildewcides and oils into the wood, all of which are needed for your wood deck to remain healthy for many years. Penetrating finishes are very easy to maintain. In many cases all you need to do is give the deck a good cleaning. Allow the wood 2-3 warm days to dry. Then reapply a new coat of finish.

There are additional steps you can take as part of your maintenance program. Don’t let water puddles sit on your deck/porch for more than two days, sweep them off. Do not use metal shovels to remove the snow because it can pierce or remove the layer of finish/coating. Also run the shovel lengthwise on the boards, shoveling across can scratch and cut the wood. Remove any dirt and debris (leaves, branches, etc).

You definitely need the wood properly cleaned and sealed regularly as part of your maintenance program. There are companies that offer professional maintenance contracts for your investment. Keep in mind, if the deck was just built, you should allow it to age a minimum of 6-8 weeks before applying any type of finish.

I think I may leave the cleaning and sealing part to the professionals!

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Mulch Much?

I started gardening for the first time this year. I had no idea how much there was to learn! One question I came across was mulching. Some people do it religiously saying it was absolutely necessary, some people don’t do it at all, and some people do it not knowing why but because their neighbors do it. Well this is what I learned. You should definitely mulch!

Two main reasons to mulch: 1. It dramatically reduces water evaporation from the soil surface and 2. It reduces weeds. Weeds are not only an unsightly nuisance but it competes for water with your plants. Mulching will keep the moisture in your soil more constant and your plant’s roots will grow stronger.

There are two types of mulches, inorganic and organic. Inorganic mulches include rocks, gravel, marble and brick chips. Organic mulches include bark, wood, and straw. If you can’t decide, you should pick organic. They both help conserve water and reduce weeds but organic mulch goes one step further and improves the soil. In our area we are surrounded by heavy clay dirt. Organic mulches will eventually work itself in and loosen and help drain the clay soil. When picking organic mulch keep this in mind. It is best to go for mulch highest in lignin (an organic compound in woody plants). The higher the lignin content the longer it takes for the mulch to break down. For example, bark has more lignin than wood so bark mulch will last much longer than wood mulch.

Also when buying organic mulch give it a good sniff. Yes, you read correctly. It should smell like fresh cut wood or soil not vinegar, ammonia or something awful! This means the mulch has gone bad from not enough oxygen and too much moisture. This condition could kill your plants!

Last tip, mulching is good but don’t over do it. You want just enough so it can do its job but not too much so the soil can breathe. Here are some guidelines…the less porous and more compactable the mulch, the thinner you spread it. For finely shredded hardwood, no more than two to three inches deep. Coarse nuggets, three to five inches. Loose straw, up to six inches deep.

Happy mulching and good luck!

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Feng Shui Anyone?

You hear people talk about Feng shui but what is it exactly? The literal translation…"Feng" means "wind" and "shui" means "water". Wind and Water are two of the most fundamental forms of life’s energy. Feng shui is the ancient Chinese practice of siting cities, settlements, and structures according to rules for integrating humans with their environment. Feng shui in its traditional form is not a decorating style but a discipline, with guidelines that are compatible with many different techniques of architectural planning. Feng Shui teaches us that everything is energy, and we are in a constant energy exchange with everything around us. It is about understanding the secrets of how energy moves in our surroundings and how the style of our buildings and interiors affect us at a subtle level. Supposedly if applied correctly, it will bring harmony, health, and balance into your life.

With that said how can you apply it in your home? As a perfect example, here are some guidelines you can follow to create a good Feng Shui bedroom.

1. Remove the TV, computer or exercise equipment in your bedroom.

2. Pay attention to the quality of the air in your bedroom, it could get stale and become full of pollutants. Try to open the windows often or use a good quality air-purifier to keep the air fresh and full of oxygen. Ironically, plants in the bedroom are NOT good Feng shui. This also includes flowers.
3. You should have several levels of lighting in your bedroom or use a dimmer switch to adjust the energy accordingly. Candles are the best Feng shui bedroom lighting, but be sure to buy candles with no toxins.

4. Paint your bedroom with soothing colors. The best Feng shui colors for the bedroom are considered the so-called "skin colors” or neutrals. Choose colors within this range that will work best for your bedroom decor.

5. Beds should be positioned in a way where it easily approachable from both sides. Avoid having the bed in a direct line with the door. Also remember to keep all doors in the room shut when you go to bed (bathroom, closet, etc.).

6. Never place a water feature such as an aquarium or desktop fountain in the bedroom. Put your aquariums only in living rooms, offices and studies, not in bathrooms, kitchens or bedrooms.

7. Guard your relationship from third party intrusion by taking away mirrors from the bedrooms.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg! Do some research and find out more on the internet, apply them to your life and hopefully it WILL bring you harmony, health and balance.

Good luck!

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Tempted to Paint Over Wallpaper?

I think this is a tough question. The answer will depend on the type of wallpaper, how it was hung, and its current condition, among many other variables. You should consult a professional wallpaper hanger or a painter before you start the project so you don’t run into all the possible problems that come with painting over wallpaper.

A problem you may encounter is that your finished surface may be less than desirable – not appearing smooth or even or bubbles up. Also the moisture in paints may make the wallpaper glue let go, so you are essentially painting over a surface that may no longer stay attached to the wall.

With that said, there will be instances when removing the existing wallpaper is near impossible without doing major damage to the underlying plaster or wallboard which will then require extensive repair. Along with the consultation from a professional here are some basic steps to take when painting over wallpaper.

First you should remove all the loose paper, taking special care around the seams. Using wallpaper seam glue, paste down remaining loose edges. Prime the walls with one coat of fast-drying shellac or alcohol based primer. These tend to be stinky, so make sure you have lots of ventilation! Unlike waterbased primers, these will not loosen the wallpaper. Use a short nap roller, one sold for smooth walls. Using the widest drywall knife you can find, apply drywall mud over all seams and flaws. Sand and smooth then prime over the drywalled areas. You may need to go back and re-drywall some flaws. Use a large sanding sponge rather than sandpaper. It will be easier to get a smooth, flush finish. Using clear or white caulking, caulk along the ceiling, baseboard and trim. This will help you get a nicer line when you cut in the edges with a brush.

It is finally ready for some paint! Now don’t use the cheap paint over all your hard work - buy the best quality available. Use PVA drywall primer to seal the surfaces. Since glossier paints will show up remaining imperfections in your wall, consider some of the washable flat paints, or an eggshell finish if you want lustre. Make sure to paint two coats for the best looking, most washable surface.

Good luck!