We often share videos from Lou Manfredini’s HouseSmartsTV program here on MLuxe. They’re chock-full of great tips and advice for home improvement, household products, working through a remodeling process, and more.

Occasionally, viewers write in to HouseSmarts and have Lou help them with their questions and problems. In this installment of “Ask Lou,” viewers ask about termites, a squeaky dryer and backed-up drains. A little something for everyone!

Be sure to check out the HouseSmartsTV YouTube channel and future MLuxe posts for more tips from Lou.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, says the description of this remodel case study video from Lou Manfredini’s HouseSmartsTV. And who’d argue?

In this segment, HouseSmartsTV talks with an interior designer about a recent remodel that gives a bland kitchen space back its soul. The most significant change was to remove a peninsula that unfortunately cut the space in half and to add a stylish stone island.

A drawer-style microwave and refrigerator (with panels to match other cabinetry) are a clever way save space that can be better used for other purposes. Other nice touches include under-cabinet lighting and glass decorated with gold leaf. Watch the video to see the before and after photos, and see more from HouseSmartsTV on YouTube.

Often times, the hardest part of a successful remodeling or redesign project is knowing where to start. A blank slate — “If we could do anything with this room, what would we do?” — is daunting.

In this video, a case study of a living room interior design project from Lou Manfredini’s HouseSmartsTV, the designer talks through her process — and notes that the process started with her clients asking to incorporate an Asian influence. That tidbid helped inform the design approach, setting the tone for the room without becoming too obvious or overbearing.

Watch the video for more tips ideas on how to best tackle your own interior design project, and of course, you can find more videos from HouseSmartsTV on YouTube.

In this video from his HouseSmarts TV series, home improvement expert Lou Manfredini shares a couple of great home innovations that you might find useful in your own house.

With visits to a couple of interesting product manufacturers, Lou shares details about how tankless water heaters work — even when demand for water is high — and about the impressive features offered by a new digital thermostat that does much more than control the temperature in your home.

Watch the video below, check out the HouseSmarts YouTube channel, and be sure to read all of Lou’s articles here on MLuxe for more tips and information.

In a recent episode of HouseSmarts, Lou Manfredini and a crew from Woodland Windows & Doors of Roselle, Ill., demonstrated the window replacement process from start to finish using replacement windows by Marvin. We learn how the homeowner spearheaded the project by shopping around meeting several contractors before agreeing to work with Woodland.

Ken Mariotti, president of Woodland Window & Doors, encourages consumers to consider starting small with window replacement projects, focusing on rooms that can be revitalized with as little as a single replacement.

Watch as the Woodland crew shows how to replace a window in a single day:

At this year’s International Builders Show, a major trade show for the construction, design and remodeling industries, Marvin and Integrity Windows and Doors showed off several new and improved products for 2010: the Ultimate Lift and Slide Door, interior doors, a retractable screen for our Ultimate Casement and Awning windows, the Ultimate Push Out French Casement and the Integrity All Ultrex Casement and Awning windows.

Home improvement expert and Today Show contributor (and MLuxe contributor!) Lou Manfredini was on hand to check out these and other products from Marvin, and he shot this video tour of our 8,800-square-foot booth. The video gives you a chance to see these products in action, taking a close-up look at their exceptional form and function.

And if you want a closer look, you can always visit your local dealer.

You’ll find the rest of Marvin’s IBS 2010 coverage here — it features interviews with show organizers, highlights of innovative products on display at the show, and details on Marvin’s own new products.

I have been building and renovating homes for more than 20 years, and the comment I get a lot is how people are so surprised by how expensive remodeling can be. While this is true, the real spending comes after we builders leave and the decorating starts. The furniture, artwork, lamps and the piece de resistance: window treatments.

I would come back to a home that we had built and see these beautiful window treatments with custom valances, and layered shades that cost thousands of dollars. What always irked me was that we spent all the time building or renovating the home and the guy who put up the window treatments got all the glory. Well, that has changed over the last few years. Nice looking window treatments are now available to the do-it-yourselfer and at truly affordable prices.

Now, of course, the sky is the limit as to what you can do, so I narrowed it down to four of the most popular choices, which you can customize them any way you desire. You should consider three things when selecting window treatments:

1. Style: What’s the room’s general décor? Contemporary, traditional or something else?
2. Color and design: Will it blend with the room or become a focus?
3. Function: What kind of light control are you looking for? Do you have safety concerns or want more energy efficiency?

Here is what’s hot these days in window treatments:

Cellular shades. These are one of the most versatile treatments around. They come in a variety of colors, fabrics and cell sizes. These two-sided shades offer great accents to your rooms, or you can match the fabric to the room color to really get that custom look. These shades are also available in cordless setups, which are easy to operate and are a safe alternative in homes with children and pets.

Mini blinds. They continue to be a great choice but more interesting options have been available for quite some time. Larger slat wood blinds were the rage a few years ago but some issue occurred with the wood being exposed to all the sunlight and sometimes warping would occur. So faux wood blinds came along and look great and stay true under almost any condition. They can also be used in moist application like bathrooms.

Woven wood shades. Look in just about any home magazine and chances are you’ll see these window treatments being featured. A rise in popularity has occurred recently that accents textures both in the material and the light that is shown through. Many of these window treatments are actually made from real bamboo reeds and can come in a variety of patterns and colors.

Plantation shutters. This treatment definitely will be a focal point in your rooms. These custom fit units when sized correctly will be an extension of your trim-work and will change the look of your room. These by far are the most expensive window treatment and also expect a lead time of at least five weeks, but boy does it look sharp!

All of these do-it-yourself window treatments have one thing in common: You are the one doing the measuring. This is important because the size you give to whatever company you choose to do business with will be the size they send you. Here’s an overview of some key terms that will come up when measuring a window for new treatments:

Inside mounting: emphasizes the actual size of the window and allows the trim work to be visible; can make the size of the window seem smaller

Outside mounting: lengthens and widens windows and makes narrow windows look wider; might be necessary if buying a stock item that will not fit within the inside measurement or if the window is not deep enough to contain the mounting brackets

Here are some other items you will need to do it yourself and get it right:

• A good tape measure that will stay straight to give you exact measurements
• An electronic stud finder to locate framing behind the drywall or plaster to ensure a strong hold
• A level to make sure what you are installing is level to the rest of the house; laser levels do a great job if you are hanging multiple window treatments in one room, helping to keep them all consistent
• Quality hollow-wall anchors if finding the stud is not available; this is key because there is a lot of junk out there that claims it can do the job

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After spending the week with architects, builders and suppliers at the International Builders Show, Lou Manfredini files this report on the industry’s outlook for 2010.

Kevin Morrow, senior program manager for NAHB, foresees growth in “green building” — perhaps no surprise, driven by consumers’ desire for green products.

Susan Marvin, president of Marvin Windows, is excited about the positive response to the company’s new products. She says 2010 is going to be another challenging year, but the way to fight through a challenging year is to continue to listen to what consumers want and to deliver high quality and good value.

Jeff Seidel, a builder from New York, says he’s optimistic but realistic about 2010. His company is well-positioned, he says, with a dual purpose: building and remodeling. The firm’s remodeling business was strong in 2009 and will continue to be strong in 2010 — a reflection of consumers’ increasing desire to update what they have rather than try to buy new.

Continuing his reporting from the International Builders Show, Lou Manfredini uncovers some of the more innovative products on the show floor.

He meets with a representative from Bosch Appliances to learn about their new dishwasher, which operates with a focus on efficient use of energy and water. Lou also gets an introduction to a home automation system by Leviton.

Kevin Morrow, senior program manager for NAHB, talks with Lou about the National Green Building Standard.

Happy New Year! As you are attempting to carry out your New Year’s resolutions, don’t forget to make a few for your home. It deserves a little TLC and there’s never a better time to start than the new year! Shelterpop offers some great ideas. Here are a few of their hints:

• Green your house. Get an energy audit and adjust your thermostat. You’ll help the planet and save on energy costs. We have a few additional tips from home improvement expert Lou Manfredini on getting your home green.
• Clean it up! Clutter is annoying and unsightly. Getting your home truly cleared out will keep it company-ready.
• Go paperless. It will help make you green and clutter-free.
• Regularly bring in flowers to beautify your newly green, clean home.

Visit Shelterpop for more!