Many of us like to listen to music, podcasts, or the radio while we administer our daily ablutions in the bathroom, on that we can agree. But there are a few bathroom entertainment topics which bring out differences in opinion: whether or not we sound good singing along in the shower and just which features our bathroom audio devices should sport.

Before my husband and I bought our house, the real estate developer covered the beat up original floors upstairs with low quality carpet. I've hated it every day we've lived here, and this Saturday we got fed up and tore it out. Doing it felt great!

A magnetic chalkboard is a new addition to the back hallway, on the wall next to the refrigerator.

Name: Andi Forker
Type of Project: Kitchen Renovation — full gut remodel
Location: San Francisco, California
Type of building: 1890's Victorian condo

Each year Consumer Reports comes out with their latest pick for best interior paints. Judged on performance, value, washability and durability, this year a new brand emerged with the highest scores of 65 paints tested. Find out who, after the jump.

It’s difficult to read design magazines and blogs and celebrity living profiles without silently ticking off the things one would put in one’s dream home, assuming, of course, that one were to win the lottery or publish Harry Potter before moving in. Sure, we might think we'd be living in nice little cottages with just as much as we need, but then one day a bathroom renovation goes too far and suddenly there's a water slide in the house. 

Q: I am a contractor and have been asked to freshen up the exterior of this semi-detached house. I was thinking window boxes, grass and a horizontal railing for the top deck... The skylight/door/window/deck exit needs some love, as it's seen better days. Looking for suggestions or advice, color schemes and bright ideas.

Name: Seth & Allison 
Type of Project: Kitchen/Family Room renovation 
Location: Ventura, California 
Type of building: Mid-Century, multi-level, single family home

We've been following along with Seth and Allison's renovation for some time, and now that the work is over and the dust has settled, it's time for the big reveal. 

This week was an exciting one for fans of our Renovation Diary series. Andi has countertops, Seth and Allison are on the home stretch, and Claire and Jeffery's renovation wrapped up, and we got to see the exciting results. 

• Seth & Allison's Kitchen: The Home Stretch
• Andi's Kitchen: Countertops and Construction Noise
• Claire & Jeffrey's Kitchen: The Big Reveal