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February 28, 2006
Outdoor Stone Lamps
Land+Living brings us the latest in funky outdoor lighting. As alien-looking as these boulder lights look, they might work in the right "Life Aquatic" inspired backyard.
Antler Chandelier
Sensory Impact has found this unique Antler Chandelier made of ceramic. "Another exemplary product of bringing the outdoors inside"
Hot Water Heater Maintenance
How much do you rely on hot water? More than you think and when it's gone you'd wish you had followed these basic maintenance steps.
DIYnetwork
Improvenet
Mygreathome.com
Home Sprinklers
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends home sprinklers be installed in all new home builds as well as retrofitted to existing homes. They cite the cost of installing sprinklers in a new home is approximately 1 percent of the total cost of the home. "Home sprinklers are smaller than commercial and industrial sprinklers, and they can be aesthetically coordinated with any room décor".
Moisture Control and Ventilation
A well insulated home in the winter is a must, but you don't want to just seal yourself in your home. You also need open-ventilation which prevents mold, controls moisture, and is energy efficient.
Posted by at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usHeight Restrictions
This information comes from New Zealand but it's very relevant to American home renovators. Before you remodel or renovate the exterior of your home and plan to change the footprint or build up, you must first check the local codes. Failing an inspection costs time and money.
Posted by at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usFebruary 27, 2006
Storm Preparedness
Personal safety is the number one concern before a storm of any kind reaches you. But the precautions you take to protect your home should also be a top priority. Whether it's lightning, rain, or high winds, make sure your house is prepared both inside and out.
February 26, 2006
Hearth Improvement
The fireplace is making a comeback thanks to better construction through the use of safer materials as well as more energy efficient models. Gas options have expanded and wood burning fireplaces no longer have to be as dirty or dangerous.
February 25, 2006
Toekick Drawers
Make use of the extra space below your cabinets. Toekick drawers are perfect for pans, untensils or linens.
February 24, 2006
Garage Door Maintenance
Garage door maintenance is often overlooked, especially considering how often they are used. So before those tracks start to rattle or you burnout that motor do some basic upkeep on your garage door.
Building a Raised Plant Bed
For you greenthumbs, Gardenweb shows how to build a raised plant bed.
Posted by at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usStylish Humidifier
Finally a humidifier that doesn't scream "HEY LOOK AT ME I'M A HUMIDIFIER".
Weekend Fixes
Popular Mechanics lists 14 shortcut repairs to maintain your home. Any of these could be completed this weekend, so what are you waiting for.
Homemade Cleaning Products
Home cleaning products can not only release harmful chemicals but they can also be expensive. Organized Home recommends some everyday homemade cleaning recipes that will be easier on your wood and tile as well as your wallet.
Posted by at 12:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usFebruary 23, 2006
PreFabulous
Prefabs are all the rage and for good reason. "The promise of affordable modern housing through prefab design. It’s a concept that is cost-efficient, often environmentally sensitive, and likely to offer practically instant gratification." - GQ
Wired
Time Magazine
GQ does prefab
Washington Post
Treehugger: Push-button prefab
Brownstone Renovation
For all the remodel and renovation geeks out there who can't get enough, here's a peek inside a New York brownstone during mid-renovation.
Vintage Trough Sink
Bathrooms are tough enough for adults to keep clean and for kids...fugghedaboutit! Brownstoner installed a vintage trough sink for the kids bathroom that is both fun and functional. All surface areas to clean are inside the sink and when the kids get dirty (as kids sometimes do), they can easily wash all the way up to their shoulders.
Foyer Tables
Who knew selecting the right foyer table could be so difficult. From the contemporary acrylic to the classic wood, and don't forget the natural wood and Texas style.
Posted by at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usEssential Tools
What tools can't you live without? Here are some lists to "essential tools" that you may be overlooking.
DIYnetwork
About Home
Lowes
Old House Web
Contractor Guide
For the ladies:
Her Home
February 22, 2006
10 Tips for Cutting Energy Costs
I know Spring is just around the corner (or at least it feels like it with the longer days), but it's never too late to save on your energy bill for the remainder of winter and to maintain these cash-saving habits throughout the year. Hip Home has ten tips for cutting energy costs.
Posted by at 1:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usFebruary 21, 2006
Freestanding Room Divider
Creating cozy spaces is difficult to do in large open rooms or small studio apartments but the project files on the Trading Spaces website shows you how to build a freestanding room divider from start to finish that can even support lighting and artwork.
The Brass Knob
Our friends in DC are renovating their 1/2 baths and tipped us to a great architectural salvage shop called The Brass Knob in NW DC. They are specifically searching for pedestal sinks of which The Brass Knob has many. If you've got a favorite local shop let us know.
Posted by at 6:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usRepairing Drywall
Dyrwall, sheetrock, plaster board, whatever you call it odds are it's in your home and you've probably dinged it moving furniture or you've made holes hanging shelves or pictures. The great thing about drywall is that it can be easily repaired fairly quickly. Here are Bob Vila's suggestions for repairing drywall.
Posted by at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usFebruary 20, 2006
C&H Ultimate Toolbox
"The right tools for the job" couldn't ring more true when it comes to your home improvement project. When you need a mallet a ball-pen hammer won't do and not all screwdrivers are created equal. We are compiling our list now but we'd like to hear from you. What are the most indespensible tools in your home toolbox and why?
Green Kitchens
Treehugger picks their killer kitchen designs that are not only cool and sleek but also environmentally conscious. The use of recycled materials and zero-emission appliances doesn't hinder the beauty and functionality of any of these designs.
February 19, 2006
Material Calculators
How much carpet do you need for the den? What BTU is right for your AC? Will my renovation pay off? Stop guesstimating and use these online calculators that will save you tme and money.
HGTV Calculators
This Old House Calculators
Improvenet Calculators
Converters and Calculators
Better Homes and Gardens Material Estimator
Renovation Wizard
Helpful Links
Please refer to the many links along the right side of this page. You can search the categories to help you find exactly what you're looking for. The ten most recent postings are also easily viewed. And our evolving blogroll contains helpful links to msm (mainstream media), design, remodeling, and renovation websites. We've also included some individual blogs to some great projects that are well documented and may help you with your own remodel or renovation.
Posted by at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usDigital Home DIY
We don't touch on home technology very often but we think that the Digital Home DIY feature from CNET is a one-stop website. Detailed reviews on any home technology purchase as well as customer reviews and price comparisons really make CNET the 800-pound gorilla in this sector.
If you're an early adopter and seeking the latest technology then Engadget is for you. There are no price comparisons and the reviews are sparse, but this site focuses on breaking the latest tech gadget news and most products on Engadget won't appear on CNET for months. Visit the home entertainment category and prepare to drool.
February 18, 2006
Clean Kitchens
Company is arriving in 1/2 and hour and those dishes from last week are still there as is last nights take-out. Lifehacker has found a great way to clean your kitchen when you have precious little time.
Posted by at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usInternational Builders Show 2006
The Builder's Show was bigger than ever this year with over 100,000 industry professionals and at least 1,600 exhibitors. This year's show was kicked off by Colin Powell who brought a bit more press than what we normally see.
Some of the products and materials to look out for this year are; Northwest Manufacturings line of outdoor wood and corn pellet furnaces, the Inclinator Company of America will debut its range of home elevators without the necessity of a machine room, Warmboard Inc. will showcase its Warmboard Radiant Subfloor, the only radiant system that combines a structural and radiant panel in one, and JELD-WEN will showcase its variety of hurricane resistant products—both windows and doors, including some available with ImpactGard, an optional glass package.
February 17, 2006
Interior House Painting
One of the least expensive ways to change the look and feel of a room is to paint it. But what is often overlooked is the prep time to prepare a wall or surface for paint. The proper pre-paint prep will ensure your paint adheres correctly and you'll enjoy the full life-span of the paint. Please follow the links below for prepping and painting interiors.
DoItYourself.com
Hometime
Benjamin Moore
The Secrets of Pro Painters
MyGreatHome
House Styles
If you've always been curious about the differences between Victorians, Colonials, and Federal styles, About.com has a brief description as well as photo gallery of 22 different American home styles.
February 16, 2006
Modern Sources
We love modern design and one of the current print vanguards is Dwell magazine. Not to be overlooked but their sparse online component is buoyed by excellent forums where you can discuss the latest beds from Flou, to building "green". The forums are also divided geographically so you can find and share with local modernists.
Wood Floors...aaah
Hardwood floors can boost a homes selling price by at least 6%. That may be enough for you to consider pulling up that 80's shag that should probably be replaced anyway. Who knows - you might already have that oak floor you've been coveting.
Posted by at 8:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usDream Kitchens
These days you've got no excuse not to have the kitchen of your dreams. Check out these Dream Kitchens from DIYnet.com, HGTV.com, AOL Home, and IKEA.
February 15, 2006
Bathroom Designer
HGTV.com has a new interactive tool that makes choosing a new bathroom design both fun and interesting. It's advertiser heavy but beyond that it get's a thumbs up from us.
Posted by at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usBudget Living
One of the better home and lifestyle magazines is closing. Budget Living provided an excellent resource for beautiful and modern home designs which are also reasonable and don't break the bank. Get your last issue while you can.
Posted by at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.us
