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September 29, 2006
Building Green
Inhabitat always chooses to highlight the most interesting books and this week is no different. They've selected Building Green: A How-to Guide to Alternative Building Methods. This book seems to cover the soup to nuts construction of a "green" residence and at $20 you can't go wrong.
Posted by at 1:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 27, 2006
Housing Bust?
A year ago every magazine and news channel was touting the never-ending real estate upswing and why you should get in NOW! Boy have things changed. Since the National Association of Realtors announced that home prices are expected to continue falling through 2006, there's been a flury of "real estate bust" news. The truth probably lies somewhere in between and Brownstoner has found an interesting article from BusinessWeek that states, homes are actually adjusting back to their true value and when looking at the bigger picture this adjustment is better for the economy in the long run. But this news offers little relief for those who borrowed heavily on their home or were counting on the increase in value to bankroll their retirement.
Posted by at 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 26, 2006
Tankless Water Heaters
If you've been considering going tankless then the time to act is now. Through 2006 and 2007 you can receive a $300 tax credit if you purchase a tankless water heater. Here's a rundown of how a tankless water heater works from the Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission lists some pros and cons to going tankless.
Posted by at 1:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 25, 2006
Time for Wallpaper
As Shelteriffic points out the time for wallpaper is now, or so it seems. Home design blogs such as OhJoy and Design*Sponge seem to have kicked off the trend and now you can't pick up a home design magazine without a story profiling the prettiest paper or great designer. We do enjoy the hand-printed designs of Twenty2 and Rachel Kelly, but you'll never find wallpaper anymore unique then at Rollout which creates custom wallpaper from a variety of artists.
About.com seems to have covered most wallpaper installation scenarios covered but if you are looking for more check out our Rollyo search for hanging wallpaper.
Posted by at 12:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 22, 2006
Porter Cable Compact Belt Sander
At last month's International Woodworking Fair, many new products were introduced but our favorite is the Porter Cable Compact Belt Sander. This guy weighs about 8 lbs. and is only 2 1/2 inches across. Some features include flush sanding (right up to perpendicular surfaces), dust port, and a powerful 5 amp motor. This little dynamo can get all those hard to reach and narrow spots and should keep you from having to reach for the sandpaper until the very end of your project.
Posted by at 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 20, 2006
DIY Safety Tips
Just a friendly reminder to take measures to protect yourself when working on projects around the house. An ounce of prevention...
Posted by at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usDriveway Oil Stains
Your car or truck might be spotless but if it leaks oil your driveway will be the worse for wear and a stained driveway can ruin an otherwise sharp looking home exterior and even lower the value of your home. Here are some tips for cleaning oil stains but most importantly fix that leak for the health of your driveway and your vehicle.
Posted by at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usDuct Tape
The ubiquitous duct tape has roots in the trenches of World War II. The tape was government issued and used by soldiers to keep boots and ammo boxes dry. They called it "duck" tape for it's water repellent properties. After the war soldiers brought it home and used it throughout the house including holding together heating and cooling ducts, which brought about it's current name "duct tape". There is still a trademarked brand name Duck Tape and some people have even made duct tape into a fashion statement.
Posted by at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usBlown-In Insulation
When insulating a new home or a room conversion such as an attic or garage, you have a choice between batt or blow-in insulation. There are advantages to both but if you are going to go with the batt fiberglass you need to make sure your installation is precise. Here's a breakdown of the materials needed and cost of blow-in insulation. Easy2DIY has an animated How-To for blown-in insulation and Fixer-Upper shares some real-life lessons in doing your own blow-in insulation install.
Posted by at 1:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usKid-Proofing Your Home
It's impossible to remove all hazards that your child may get into because kids are kids and hopefully they are curious about the world but not too curious about the outlets. House in Progress has a cute pic of their little one getting into dresser drawers and they've got plenty of suggestions from their readers for kid-proofing their home.
Posted by at 1:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 19, 2006
Install a Garbage Disposal
Growing up with a garbage disposal that will chop up scraps of food and keep your pipes clear of junk is a luxury we no longer have and definitely an adjustment when even a bit of rice will stop up the drain. Here's a How-To for installing a garbage disposal in your own kitchen.
Posted by at 2:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSlate Roof Protection
A slate roof is one of the most durable of roofing materials that can last hundreds of years. There are slate roofs in buildings across Europe that have survived centuries with little or no maintenance. We don't recommend neglecting your slate roof and Traditional-Building has a great article for repairing and maintaining your slate roof.
Posted by at 2:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApartment Therapy
We're proud to say that Charles and Hudson has been added to Apartment Therapy's blogroll. If you aren't familiar with Apartment Therapy they are a daily blog whose goal is to connect people to the resources they need to redecorate their home, while reducing their reliance on stuff. This mission is vital when considering the design of a living space as small as a New York city apartment but the same mission applies to a home of any size. Apartment Therapy has sister sites based in the urban cities of San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles. But no matter where you live you'll find ideas/inspiration that will speak to your living situation.
Posted by at 1:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 18, 2006
The Sky Factory
These virtual windows and skylights from The Sky Factory give that home office or bedroom the view you've always wanted. The backlit screens open up enclosed interior spaces with soaring views and natural light. The wall images range from island beaches to mountain lakes and the ceiling views include skies with clouds, overhanging trees, even early morning light.
We're curious as to where these are the most popular as we might've stayed in Seattle a bit longer if we had these in our office. As any local will tell you it ain't the rain but the months of overcast days that can get to you. Is Sky Factory the solution?
Posted by at 1:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usCork Tiles
We've highlighted the benefits of using eco-friendly cork flooring, and now Design*Sponge has showcased some great looking cork tiles that are made from reconstituted cork. You can use the provided temporary adhesive tabs or install them permanently with proper cork flooring glue. These modutiles can also be waxed, oiled, or stained to provide better protection as well as new colors.
Posted by at 1:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 15, 2006
New York Times Design Blog
Allison Arieff (former editor-in-chief of Dwell) has joined the network of New York Times Blogs with Living Design. In the spirit of traditional print media moving towards online, Allison is one of the bright stars in the shelter field and this move is significant as she was probably courted by many other shelter magazines before deciding to join the New York Times. But the beauty of blogging is that she may still get that editor job and continue to contribute to Living Design.
Posted by at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | post to del.icio.usTop Service Pros
There are many ways to find the right professional for your home improvement job. We always go with personal referrals but sometimes its hard to source for a contractor who has an obscure talent or you're new to an area and don't know anyone to ask. ServiceMagic has been around awhile and they will match you up with contractors in your area. Now they aren't the only game in town as Top Service Pros has entered the market. With an easy-to-navigate and fast running website they should catch on quick. If anyone has experience with either service as a contractor or a homeowner let everyone know by leaving a comment.
Posted by at 2:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usDark Wood Paneling
If you love the old library look of dark and rich wood, you can install it in your own home. Steve Maxell of Home Envy suggests you start with Cherry which darkens on exposure to light. Mahogany and oak should also be considered depending on how dark you'd like your walls to be.
Posted by at 2:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 14, 2006
Kitchen and Bath Design
Beyond the consumer kitchen and bath design magazines there are two trade publications that are geared towards professional designers and builders. With the line continuing to blur between designers and consumers and with more manufacturers selling direct to customers you deserve to find the latest and greatest products without going through a middle-man if you so desire. Check out Kitchen and Bath Business as well as Kitchen and Bath Design News. You won't find these at your local newsstand but if you ask the right people or have access to showrooms you may be able to grab one. Owned by the National Kitchen & Bath Assocation and sponsored by Kitchen Bath and Business, the K/BIS - Kitchen/Bath Industry Show is the largest kitchen and bath tradeshow where the latest products and design are showcased.
Posted by at 1:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usOn Demand DIY
If you have Time Warner cable and live in the New York/New Jersey area, you probably have access to their On Demand service which not only includes movies but features from the lifestyle channels of DIY Network and HGTV. There are full-length episodes as well as 10-minute DIY segments. It's channel 1006. Check with your local cable or satellite provider as you may have some great DIY shows at the touch of your remote.
Posted by at 12:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 13, 2006
Flippers in Trouble
Everyone knows the market has cooled and Flippers in Trouble has posted depressing figures on what homes in Sacramento sold for and what they are asking now. Maybe it's not so depressing as this correction was bound to come and now the numbers are getting closer to the true value (but CA is still crazy). I hope our friends at Fliperati are taking notice.
Posted by at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 11, 2006
Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater
Thanks to Hewn and Hammered to showed us the way to this great video tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater house. If you're a fan of his organic architecture it doesn't get any better than this.
Posted by at 3:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usReplacing a Drill Chuck
You love your trusty drill but the chuck's worn out and the motor could use some maintenance. Why throw it out when you can just replace the chuck yourself as well as gain access to the motor for cleaning. Here's a helpful guide for removing the chuck and gaining access to the gearbox or torque selector collar.
Posted by at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | post to del.icio.usFinials for Hooks
A reader submitted a great idea for a decorative wall of hooks. Instead of the standard metal hooks or coat racks she suggests using finials as hooks and attaching them to a board coming straight out of the wall. In the right home they can provide more of a period feel and be painted or stained to match wainscoting or existing curtain rods and finials.
- thanks Kozbi
September 8, 2006
Design-Build Demystified
Dwell magazine explains and highlights the reasons why design-build firms have come to the forefront of new construction. Design-build is simply the process of the team that formulates the plan and project is also the team that constructs the project. Applying the saying "soup-to-nuts" to the construction process.
There are many advantages to having the same firm tackle the entire process and in an era of eco-friendly construction the designers often know the materials and suppliers more intimately than a contractor who just landed a bid on a plan that's unfamiliar to them. This can save a lot of time and frustration during the construction process and many of these firms also recognize that homeowners may feel costs are higher because subs are already locked in but Tom MacGregor or ABDNY insists that skeptical homeowners bid out the jobs to make certain they aren't getting ripped off.
Posted by at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usPreserving Heat
With the Fall season just around the corner there are some easy steps you can take right now to preserve the heat within your home and give you a bit more time before firing up the heater.
Add Insulation - Not to your walls but to areas that are largely unseen such as your water heater, ducts, exposed pipes.
Install a Door Shoe and Weatherstrip Your Door - The door shoe will prevent drafts as well a protect the wood along the bottom of your door from the elements and weather stripping your front door will make sure the heat stays in and the cold out.
September 7, 2006
Xeriscaping Your Yard
Xeriscaping (zer-i-skap) is a buzzword used throughout the Southwest and is defined as landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment; utilizes native plant selection, practical turf areas, efficient irrigation, and mulches and appropriate maintenance (Green Alliance).
Here are some examples of how you can apply this eco-landscaping plan in your own yard.
The Principles of Xeriscaping [High Country Gardens]
Xeriscape Tips and Plants [Eartheasy]
Garden Flowers for Xeriscape [CSU]
Bathtub Bliss
You don't need a vintage clawfoot tub to enjoy a relaxing bath but there are many steps you can take to ensure you've chosen the correct tub for your space, the tub is installed properly, and the tub is regularly scrubbed and cleaned.
Tip: Make sure you consider your water heater capacity when selecting your tub size or you'll end up with lukewarm baths and when installing a new tub, fill it before you begin caulking so you can fill the gap that the water weight will cause or else you can have problems later with the caulk separating or cracking.
Posted by at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usPocket Doors
Pocket doors are those space saving gems that builders often overlook when designing new homes. Pocket doors do not swing out on hinges like traditional doors rather they retract into a "hidden" space within the wall when open and slide out when closed. Installing a pocket door after construction can also be done. Here's how...
Pocket Doors: Buying and Installation [Hometips]
Install a Pocket Door [Doityourself.com]
Pocket Doors in the Basement [Asktooltalk.com]
Gimme Shelter Construction
September 6, 2006
Broken Window Tip
Here's a tip from Bob Vila for handling broken windows.
Always wear thick gardening gloves when handling broken glass, and use goggles if you have to break any glass. Carefully crisscross pieces of masking tape over a broken windowpane. Cover the glass with a heavy cloth, then tap with a hammer to break away the pieces from the window without splintering. Dispose if broken glass in newspaper.
Houseblogs New Community
Big news in the houseblogs world as Houseblogs.net has launched a new section called Houseblogs Community.
You can now create your own profile on Houseblogs.net and bookmark various houseblog entries that you may have found helpful. You can also sort through the entries by tags and find the most popular and most recent tags.
There are many other new features that are outlined here. The new section is currently in Beta so let them know if you find any buggies.
Congratulations Aaron and Jeanne for providing houseblog enthusiasts more motivation to blog as well as learn from others.
Posted by at 2:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 5, 2006
Steam Paint Removal
Removing paint from wood has traditionally been done with chemicals or sanding which can both adversely affect the underlying wood as well as the surrounding environment.
Using heat has always been known to soften up paint so it can be easily scraped away but steam is making a resurgence as a practical and safe way to remove paint.
View this video from Historic Homeworks for a demonstration of steam paint removal.
Posted by at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usWood-Slat Doormat
Here's our post as seen on Readymade.
Instead of buying a fashionable wood-slat doormat, why not make one of your own. You’ll need 3/4-inch lumber (any type) and the tools to cut and fasten the pieces together. You can customize this doormat to fit your needs by adding paint, finishes, or carvings. You could even monogram your custom made doormat with a personalized branding-iron.
Posted by at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 2, 2006
Prefab Penthouse
Living in a dense urban environment requires making use of every bit of space available and those with money usually have the resources to take advantage of this. Case in point, penthouse prefabs. First Penthouse in London will build a prefab off-site to your exact specs in accordance to your building codes as well as building out any amenity you wish. All plumbing, hvac, and electrical systems are tested before installation which is finished in a day and ready for immediate move-in. If you've got roof rights or happen to own your own building in New York, Top Penthouse can also set you up with a prefab in the city.
Posted by at 12:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 1, 2006
Wiring and Cables Defined
There's a wire or cable that's best suited for any application that you need. The challenge is determining which cable or wire to use and when. You should start with a basic grasp of your home's electrical system and forge a plan of action for what you need to accomplish ensuring all safety standards and codes are followed.
Here's a basic glossary of the different types of wires and cables and how they are used. If in doubt call in an electrician, it could save your life.
Posted by at 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.us
