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April 28, 2006
Draw Your Own 3D Models
Lifehacker has turned us onto yet another amazing application from Google called SketchUp. No longer is home 3D modeling reserved for the architects and CAD experts of the world. SketchUp allows you to easily put your 3D ideas onscreen and work with the elements of texture, color, and shadowing to enhance your dream home or castle.
PC version only (for now).
SketchUp [via Lifehacker]
Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usVacation Homes
According to the New York Times, the sales of vacation and weekend homes continues to boom.
Walter Molony, a spokesman for the National Association of Realtors, said that second-home purchases less than 100 miles from a primary home have risen significantly in just three years, to 47 percent of all second-home purchases in 2005, up from 33 percent in 2002.
With the revitalization of urban city centers across the country more and more people are buying condos or renting downtown but are still seeking refuge and space within an hours drive. Folks in New York City have been doing this for years and now it's catching on in a big way everywhere else.
Getting Away Without Going Too Far [New York Times]
Posted by at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 27, 2006
Building and Installing a Screen or Storm Door
Let the spring air flow through your house and listen to the birds sing, while keeping out the bugs and pollen. That's what a screen door will do for you. Here are some sources for building and installing your own. If you are looking for a pre-made door we suggest a storm/screen combo that will allow you to remove or slide the glass down in the summer and replace it with a screen. We particularly like the Larson storm doors as they have retractable screens so there's no need to search and store the seasonal door panels.
Screen Door Reborn [Popular Mechanics]
Build a Screen Door [Trusite]
How to Install Storm Doors [Home Depot]
Installing a Storm Door [HGTV]
How to Install a Storm Door [eHow.com]
Steps to Installing a Storm Door [Home Accents]
Install a New Storm Door [Ron Hazelton]
Can I really install a storm door in as little as 60 minutes? [Metafilter]
Installing a Storm and Screen Doors [Lowes]
Storm Doors [Larson Doors]
House Hardware on eBay
With some time and persistence you can usually find exactly what you need on eBay. Over at the houseblog Devil Queen, the homeowner shares a success story when searching and bidding for matching grills. If only it worked out like this all the time.
It Never Hurts to Ask [Devil Queen]
Posted by at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 26, 2006
Strengthen Your Floor By Joist Sistering
Floors in old homes can tend to sag or bounce as they get older. The only way to fix this is through "sistering" the joists located below the floor panels. This involves attaching joists of a similar size alongside the existing joists. This technique can also be used to make an attic floor livable.
Sistering Floor Joists [Hammerzone]
Floor & Ceiling Anatomy [Black & Decker]
Yard and Lawn Tips
Here are some tips from Lou at Ace Hardware to keep your yard and lawn looking fresh and green year-round.
Make Your Yard Thrive [Ace Hardware]
Posted by at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 25, 2006
Japanese Saws
The Japanese have been creating exquisite and extremely precise saws for centuries. Every woodworker should have at least 2 or 3 of these saws in their quiver. Japanese saws are distinct from western style saws in many ways. They typically have a bamboo wrapped handle, much sharper teeth and cut on the pull-stroke instead of the push which allows for a thinner and less rigid blade. Therefore the kerf is narrower and the cutting line is slimmer. The Ryoba (rip and crosscut teeth), Anihiki (curved rip saw), and Dozuki (dovetailing saw) are the most common among western woodworkers.
Four-piece Japanese Saw Set [Garrett Wade]
Posted by at 9:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usBuild a Sandbox
You're landlocked, so what. Take the kids to the backyard beach. Here's a how-to on building your own sandbox. Location is a key consideration when planning your sandbox - partial shade is nice but beware of digging near trees and damaging roots. Lowes recommends using cedar as it's waterproof and less likely to splinter.
Throw in a pail and shovel and maybe even a plastic pool and you've got a urban (or suburban) paradise.
Build a Sandbox [Lowes]
Posted by at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usRepairing a Wood Fence
A wood fence requires regular maintenance to prevent rot and discoloration. Proper paint or stain should be used regularly and rotting fence posts should be repaired or replaced immediately. If installing a fence for the first time you can go with a time-saving pre-made fence made of wood, metal, or plastic.
Repair a Picket Fence [eHow.com]
Installing a Pre-made Fence [Hammerzone]
First-time Fence Install [DIY Network]
April 24, 2006
Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are the single most important piece of safety equipment in your home. They are vital in protecting you and your appliances from surges in electricity that can cause electrical fires and destroy electrical appliances. Whenever the circuit senses too much power it cuts the circuit before any damage is done. This allows you or an electrician to troubleshoot the problem.
Before working on any live outlets its advisable to cut that breaker or even cut the main power circuit if you aren't sure exactly which circuit the outlet is on.
How Circuit Breakers Work [How Stuff Works]
Posted by at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usPower Washing a Pathway
Damp surfaces on decks and pathways can remain slippery and dangerous even after they are dry because algae begins to form wherever water settles. Shaded pathways are particularly difficult to keep dry and they are often times the most heavily used.
Your first step should be keeping your path or deck as dry as possible. Your second should be renting or purchasing a power washer. A power washer shoots a stream of water at a high velocity which will clean many porous surfaces of dirt, grime, oil, and in this case algae, without damaging your stone or wood. After using the power washer it is also advisable to run diluted bleach over your stones to kill any remaining algae spores. You may need to repeat this process every few months but consider it an ounce of prevention.
And don't forget to use your safety glasses.
Power Washing Decks [DIY Doctor]
Pressure Washing Driveways [Ultimate Washer]
Power Washing Your House [Tri-city Herald]
April 23, 2006
Window Types
Andersen Windows has provided an easy window selection tool that explains the different types of windows and how to identify them.
Window Types [Andersen Windows]
Posted by at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 21, 2006
Ant Control
An old friend recently brought to our attention an ant problem that she's been having which brings to mind our own ant episodes from a few years back. Prevention is the best weapon and removing the source of Ant food should be your first step.
We recommend going the non-pesticide route which is safer for you, your family, and your pets.
Solving Nuisance Ant Problems Without Pesticides [NCAP]
Getting Rid of Ants [The Frugal Life]
All-Natural Ant Repellent [Stretcher]
Seed Starting Chart
Here's a seed starting chart for the laziest of gardeners from one of our favorite websites, You Grow Girl. Download the chart then enter the "Frost Free Date" for your region and the chart will automatically calculate the sowing and planting dates. It doesn't get any easier than that.
Seed Starting Chart [You Grow Girl]
Posted by at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 20, 2006
Clean Your Deck
It's BBQ season and if you live in a cold weather climate your deck and BBQ have probably been covered with snow or it's been too cold to spend much time in your yard. Part of your spring cleaning should include prepping your yard and outside area for the coming months and you should start with giving your deck a good cleaning.
Cleaning and Sealing Your Deck [Lowes]
How to Clean a Deck [eHow.com]
Laying Carpet
One of the fastest ways to rejuvenate a room or house is to lay down new carpet. A fresh color or texture on your floors can change the overall impression of a home. Putting down new carpet is easier than you think but it does require some physical strength as well as some time mastering the use of carpet stretching tools.
Installing Wall-to-Wall Carpet [DIYNetwork]
Carpet Installation [Doityourself.com]
How to Lay Carpet [Repair Home]
Do-It-Yourself Carpet [Flooringknowledge.com]
April 19, 2006
Cleaning Out Your Closet
Moving coats and jackets to make way for your spring and summer clothes is a necessary chore if you have a small closet or storage space. The chance of losing clothes is increased the more you move them and just misplacing an item is as good as losing it when you want to wear it. Why not get rid of those guess jeans from 91' and those bulky sweatshirts you'll never wear again and create more room for your current wardrobe. New York Magazine has a method for the madness.
Closet Confidential [NYMag.com]
Posted by at 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usUnclogging a Sink
Bathroom and kitchen sinks will inevitably clog. Over time objects such as food, hair, and dirt will build-up and settle in the trap or somewhere else along the line and you'll notice your sink draining much slower.
Before your sink completely backs up, take this as a warning and clean out the trap (the U-shaped pipe under the sink). Some traps have a clean-out plug that can be opened with a wrench and allow you to get to the blockage without removing the entire trap. But if you do have to take out the trap its an easy process with the use of a towel and wrench. Remove the slip nut at each end and remove the trap then remove any blockage and replace the trap. If the trap is clear you may need to use an auger or snake to clear any blockage further into the pipe.
It's advisable to clean the trap before you the sink completely clogs and it's not always wise to rush to the plunger as that can push a clog further into the pipe and make it more difficult to clear.
Posted by at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 18, 2006
Caring for Antique Furniture
After meeting Leigh Keno of Antique Roadshow he impressed upon us that antiques should be handled with care but we should also use them and present them as the centerpiece of a room, not treat them as museum pieces to sit in the corner. Here are some tips to keeping your furniture around another 100 years.
Antiques Care[BBC]
Cleaning Antique Furniture - British Museum Recipe [Woodcentral]
The Care and Preservation of Furniture and Wooden Objects [Henry Ford Museum]
Easy Mirror Upgrade
Mirrormate embellishes a plain flat mirror and adds details and framing that will brighten any room. Thanks Alix.
Posted by at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 17, 2006
Fancy Lamps
We're not sure how much light these lamps provide but they will definitely start conversations.
Lamp for Every Room [NY Magazine]
Posted by at 6:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usThe Most Wired Home
The most wired home we've come across has been created by Pluto. A Pluto Home system is operated by your cell phone or from a landline. Once you're home has been outfitted with their system you can control everything from the temperature of your bedroom, lighting arrangements, view security webcams, and schedule tv recordings. I'm sure you can also schedule your dinner to cook and maybe even have your dogged walked.
Posted by at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 16, 2006
Cast-Iron Doorstops
The ubiquitous brown rubbery doorstops may be effective but they remain unsightly with a distinctly utilitarian (corporate office) feel. Why not go with the more traditional cast-iron doorstops that can add a bit more flair to your floor. Shelterrific, a new home blog from the editors of Budget Living, show you the goods.
Cast-Iron Doorstops [Shelterrific]
Posted by at 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJute Rugs
Natural Area Rugs has started a blog about, what else, rugs made of natural fibers. Including sisal, seagrass, jute, bamboo, and wool. Jute rugs...sounds interesting.
Jute Rugs [Natural Area Rugs]
Posted by at 5:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usPet Resistant Carpets
New York Times explains new textiles and carpets that are resistant to pet stains.
Posted by at 5:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usCave Dwellings - The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Solution
Western designers are starting to look East and more specifically at how cave-dwellers in the Shaanxi province of China live without impacting their environment.
Sustainable Design [Seed Magazine]
Posted by at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 11, 2006
Vacuum Cleaning Tips
Make the most of your time pushing the vacuum and maximize the vacuums pulling power by going over this vacuum checklist. We still love our Oreck XL Deluxe. It's low on frills but it's got mad skills.
Vacuuming Tips [Mrs. Clean]
Oreck XL Deluxe [Oreck]
April 10, 2006
Build a Porch Swing
What's better than sitting outside, swinging along to some music, and drinking your favorite cool beverage. You know you want to do this - so why not build your own swing now and make it happen. Think of how much more relaxed you'll be.
How to Make a Porch Swing [Buildeazy]
Posted by at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usApril 9, 2006
Multi-tool reviews
Before you buy your next multi-tool check out some reviews of the most popular tools around.
Multi-tool reviews [Backpackergeartest.org]
Posted by at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 8, 2006
Sawing Tips
Making accurate cuts in wood can be difficult but also vital when measurements leave no room for error. Here are some tips to cutting once and right.
Tips for Sawing Wood [Sawtips]
Posted by at 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApril 5, 2006
Best Places to Live
We love lists and most lifestyle magazines now publish their "Best Places to Live" articles annually. We couldn't agree more with the selections from Men's Journal and we think Tucson could be the next Austin.
50 Best Places to Live [Men's Journal]
Lifestyle Optimizer (chooses your best place) [Homefair]
April 4, 2006
Organize your Closet
If your closet looks like this (see above) then maybe it's time you rethink how you organize your closet. With your clothing wedged so tightly, not only is it difficult to find clothes you want to wear but when you do manage to yank them out they most often are wrinkled or damaged from being shoved in there in the first place. Try building this closet organizer and your clothes and significant other will thank you for it.
Build a Closet Organizer [Doityourself.com]
April 3, 2006
Ladder Safety
From the 3-foot stool to the 15-foot extender, a fall from any height can be disastrous. Follow these OSHA guidelines before making any risky calls when using your ladder. Reading through these guidelines can also refresh your memory on ladder safety.
Ladder Safety [OSHA]
April 2, 2006
How to Hold a Hammer
According to Habitat for Humanity, the average beginner carpenter uses almost 30 strikes to pound a nail when it should take 3-4. Start by holding the hammer at the base and swing with your shoulder and use your forearm, but don't use your wrist. If your wrist gets tired you're doing it wrong. Here are some more how-to's.
Hold a Hammer [Real Simple]
Tips for Better Hammer Use [Hammernet]
Hammer Hints [iAfrica]
April 1, 2006
Concrete Countertops
Here's a nice photo set of a concrete countertop installation.
Posted by at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.us
