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July 31, 2007
Japanese Toilets
The Japanese are seriously cramped for space and their bathrooms suffer for it. But they've overcome with some toilet styles that you won't likely see anywhere else.
Power Tool Drag Racing
Take your ingenuity and power tools to the next level and get competitive.
Posted by at 1:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 30, 2007
House Painting Tips
It's generally recommended to paint your house every 3-5 years to protect your siding, stucco, or shingles, as well as maintain a fresh looking exterior.
To prevent uneven drying from painting in direct sunlight, paint the north and west side of your home in the morning hours and switch to the south and east sides in the afternoon and evening.
The best time of year to paint your house is in the spring or fall when the temperatures are the most mild.
Posted by at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usHaunted Library
This addition to your library is sure to get some shrieks (or laughs). As unsuspecting folks walk by these "books" a motion sensor causes the center book to slide back and and forth while emitting "haunting" sounds.
Possessed Books in action [Geekologie]
Posted by at 4:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usTake Back the Kid's Playroom
Whether your kids are grown or not, it may be time to reign in their playroom, especially if it starts to look like this one. Here's how.
Posted by at 1:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usBuilding Interior Walls using Metal Studs
We've presented some techniques for building interior walls but overwhelmingly the material of choice is now metal/steel studs. Besides saving trees, metal studs have many advantages over traditional lumber. They don’t shrink or split and are always perfectly straight. They’re also light and easy to store; they resist fire, insects and rot; and they are about 30% cheaper then wood. Plus you'll only need tin snips and a screw gun or a drill with a bit-holder. But remember, metal stud walls should only be considered for non-load bearing use.
Steel Studs aka Light Guage Metal Framing [Remodeling for Geeks]
Whole-House Remodeling with Steel Studs and Joists [Housing Zone]
How to Build with Steel Studs [WikiHow]
Modular Metal Stud Framing [PortaFab]
How to Cut Metal Studs [Bob Vila]
Residential Steel Studs and Joists [CSSBI]
July 28, 2007
House Flipping Goes Upscale
If someone can flip $100k into $150k why not $8.3m to $30m. Only in NYC.
Posted by at 2:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 27, 2007
Lead Paint Removal
We've touched on the dangers of lead paint and now House in Progress has started their own lead paint stripping process after highlighting the history of lead paint use in this country and makes a distinction between lead paint that is intact (safe) as opposed to paint chips and dust (unsafe). Any home built before 1978 may wish to have the paint on their walls tested for lead before performing any remodeling projects. Apartment Therapy offers some tips for finding low and zero VOC paints.
Posted by at 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 26, 2007
Transform Your Formica Countertops
If you aren't satisfied with your formica countertops you can give them a fresh look. With a little effort and creativity, who knew granite could be this easy and while you're at it, upgrade your fixtures.
Formica Countertop Repair [Bob Vila]
Posted by at 3:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 24, 2007
Tips for Remodeling Your Basement
This homeowner shares his DIY basement remodel and here are a few other resources for basement renovation.
Upgrading Below Grade [PATH]
Basement Remodel [ Contractor.com]
Top 5 Things You Should Consider when you remodel your basement [Basement Remodeler]
Basement Remodeling [DoItYourself.com]
July 23, 2007
Outdoor Sink Station
This outdoor sink station keeps the dirty work in your yard and away from your kitchen. Clean vegetables, pot plants, and wash your hands at this convenient garden stop.
Secure Your Home
Most thieves are looking for the easiest score possible so if you take just a few preventative measures to secure your home, a thief will most likely look elsewhere.
July 20, 2007
Bright and Bold Paint Jobs
There is a battle brewing across American neighborhoods. Homeowners who "toe the line" and maintain a consistent home color amongst themselves vs. those who prefer a bolder palette when it comes to their abode. HOA's limit this form of self-expression but many older neighborhoods, which often contain historical buildings, aren't bound by these restrictions.
Painting the town red, tangerine and cobalt [LA Times]
Posted by at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 19, 2007
Visit the Playboy Mansion
You may never party with Hef in person but thanks to Zillow you can at least check out a birds-eye-view of the mansion. Tony Soprano may be gone but his house is still around and who knew the Cohen's mansion from the O.C. is actually in Malibu (and available for $5M).
Famous TV Homes [Zillow]
Posted by at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usApartment Therapy's Green Home
Apartment Therapy, the authority in organizing and decorating your small home, has just launched their Green Home. There's some good stuff here that doesn't require a small home or apartment to implement. Saving water, storing bicycles, and green cleaning products, are just a few of the interesting posts we've read so far. We're looking forward to many more.
Posted by at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 18, 2007
A Gateway to a Better Garden
There are plenty of computer programs that can assist you in choosing the right plans for your home or even assist you in designing the home yourself but there are fewer to help you with the curb appeal of your home. That's where the Better Homes and Gardens Landscape and Deck Designer comes in.
The New York Times has a thorough review of the product and they state that although the computer limits the emotional connection to gardening, it does provide a spatial template for a job too large and expensive to trust to trial and error.
Are You as Handy as Your Dad?
Toolmonger turned us onto a great blog entry from the Wall Street Journal asking the question, "Are Dads Less Handy Around the House?"
I'm not a Dad and even if I were I'm certainly not as handy around the house as my Pop is. I was raised by a very handy Dad who had a tool shed to be proud of. His specialty is in electrical work and he enjoyed the puzzle of determining what's "hot" as much as the challenge of installing the light fixture or appliance. My Dad set the bar high which motivates me to keep on learning.
July 17, 2007
How To Fix a Leaking Faucet
One of the most common household problems is the leaking faucet. Fortunately it also happens to be one of the easiest to diagnose and repair and there are a ton of resources online that can help. Here are our favorites.
Video
Expert Village
VideoJug
Instructions
Hammerzone
DoItYourself.com
On The House with the Carey Bros.
Ace Hardware
The Natural Handyman
Associated Content
DIY Video Tips
The DIY Network has launched a new video section called DIY Kits/DIY Basics. They are short video clips as well as printable instructions covering tips for home improvement, crafts, gardening, woodworking, and your automobile. They are still using the Windows Media player format as opposed to the new flash players but the videos load quickly and play seamlessly.
July 16, 2007
10 Uses for Newspaper, Magnets, Steel Wool, PVC...
One of our favorite features in This Old House magazine is the 10 Uses For. Finding non-traditional ways to use typical household items is a goal of ours and in turn we consume and spend less. Here's a list of our favorites from the series.
10 Uses for Newspaper
10 Uses for Magnets
10 Uses for Plastic Milk Jugs
10 Uses for PVC
10 Uses for Steel Wool
Retractable Awnings
We invest a lot of time and money in our decks, patios, and outdoor furniture. By adding a retractable awning you'll be able to take advantage of your outside space on those hot days as well as give your skin a break while enjoying the outdoors. The Sunsetter 900XT is perfect for a small porch or patio and can be ordered in lengths of 7 to 20 feet and it extends 9 feet out from your home. You can install it yourself in 2-3 hours and it's fully manual. Sunsetter also has motorized versions that open and close with push of a button.
If you choose to go the motorized route then check out the SunShelter Elite from Durasol which offers weather-proof fabric that also provides UV protection. The Elite even has a drop valance that will keep that late afternoon sun out of your eyes.
Other features to consider when choosing a retractable awning are extruded steel (stronger) or aluminum; waterproof or canvas (breathable) fabric, motorized or non (get one with both). The top of the line awnings even offer sun, wind, and rain sensors that will open and close your awning according to the weather.
Posted by at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 13, 2007
Advice for Building Permit Approval
Applying for building permits are often the bane of many general contractors and often times work that has already begun must stop until permits are secured and the work order is approved. This wastes time and money for the homeowner but procuring all of the necessary permits before construction helps to ease this process. Here's some advice for gaining permit approval quickly and with the least amount of hassle.
Posted by at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usOutdoor Sheds
Sticking with the storage theme this week, why not build your own shed. Once again we've found some great content from Popular Mechanics which includes a comprehensive plan for building your own wood shed. If you aren't sure what materials to use for construction use this guide from DoItYourself.com.
July 12, 2007
Make Use of Wasted Space
Popular Mechanics offers 7 Tips for Utilizing Wasted Space. You may think you have a storage problem but this article may offer some relief. We especially like the how-to article for building storage in a knee-wall.
July 11, 2007
Choosing the Right Safety Goggles
Using safety goggles falls under the "ounce of prevention" lesson. Safety goggles are inexpensive and can be found at any hardware store, which means there is no excuse to not own one or two pairs. But it's also important to have the proper goggles for the job. Here are our favorites.
Clear safety-glasses
These all-purpose safety glasses from Milwaukee are lightweight and offer wrap-around protection. They are 99.9% UVA and UVB certified and are comfortable enough to wear all day.
Chemical splash
These chemical goggles from Pyramex protect your eyes from liquid chemicals and have indirect air-vents that allow air to enter but keeps liquids out.They are also fog-free and offer 99.9% UV protection.
Bi-focal protection
These safety glasses from DeWalt offer lightweight protection as well as a bi-focal lense with "reading glasses" strength.
Heavy-duty
For work that involves possible flying particles such as cutting wood, metal, or fiberglass, you need stronger protection that won't slip off your face. These direct-vent goggles fit the bill and they are super-comfortable.
Bare-bones
At the very least you should wear these clear wrap-arounds that are lightweight and will fit over prescription eyewear. You can grab these at your local hardware store for less than 5 bucks.
July 10, 2007
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
A new addition to our blogroll is the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). They have a long-standing history and their core purpose is "to advance and promote the remodeling industry’s professionalism, product and vital public purpose."
As a homeowner you can use their site to search for remodelers in your area and they give you tips for what questions to ask and what warning signs to be wary of when choosing your contractor.
Professionals are also encouraged to join NARI which they feel will give you more exposure and help in networking. You'll also be eligible to be considered as for the Contractor of the Year (COTY) award.
Posted by at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usGas Grill Buying Guide
Consumer Reports breaks down the differences between the low and high-end gas grills and what to look for when shopping for your new grill.
July 9, 2007
Tips for Temporary Storage
When painting a room, replacing flooring, or cleaning out a garage, there isn't always extra space in your home to store the furniture, appliances, or tools that usually occupy that space. Plus, bringing garage storage bins inside can be messy and storing furniture appliances outside is asking for trouble. PODS have been around since 1998 and they are a portable moving and storage solution. They are a great solution as temporary secure storage while you remodel or organize. The ground level entry also makes it much easier to move items into and with PODS you can have the entire POD picked up and stored off-site.
If you are looking for a cheaper solution then plastic tarps are the way to go. And if you've got access to palettes thats even better. Place the pallet on the ground then the tarp over that and then place your items on the tarp and then cover it with another tarp. This should protect your things from the weather but anything outside is typically not considered very secure.
Posted by at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usArchitectural Record
We are honored to have been selected as an Editor's Bookmark for June 2007 by the Architectural Record. The publication has been a leader in the industry for over 100 years and their new website is as content rich as you'll find anywhere.
Victorian Restoration
If you've got a Victorian-era home that needs restoration or you are just curious as to what defines a Victorian and what it takes to return them to their former glory, then the Old House Web has a great article for you.
Renovate With Elaborate Details Of Victorian Style [Old House Web]
July 6, 2007
The Top 10 Home Improvement Movies
After watching the Money Pit for the first time in about 10 years time we decided to compile our "Top 10 Home Improvement Movies". Remodeling may not be the central theme but the home definitely plays a role in these films (kinda). Here we go...
10. Made ~ This film is a reach for this list - in fact it shouldn't really be on this list but we were having a hard time coming up with 10. But the movie starts with one of our all-time favorite scenes as Favre and Vaughn work as part of a construction crew and negotiate taking "breaks" and take lip from an snooty interior designer. If you like these two you'll love this scene.
9. Poltergeist ~ I only moved once as a child and after watching this film I never wanted to move again.
8. House of Sand and Fog ~ By far the most dramatic film on this list. The passion portrayed by two parties fighting for a home they believe is rightfully theirs is gut-wrenching.
7. Under the Tuscan Sun/A Good Year ~ Who wouldn't' want to take time out from their life to enjoy renovating a villa in the South of France or Italy???
6. Home Alone ~ Mac turns his house into a pranksters dream and we still don't know how Daniel Stern survived the paint bucket to the face.
5. Christmas Vacation ~ From the overdone lights to the DIY tree, this is a yearly must-see.
4. The Notebook ~ Rachel McAdams had us at "Hello" and Ryan Goslings transformation of his dream Victorian was impeccable. Bonus points for the gorgeous Greek Revivals shown throughout the film.
3. Field of Dreams ~ Not quite a home remodel but definitely a spectacular addition.
2. The Karate Kid ~ We all ached for Danielson when he had to "Sand the Floor" or "Paint the Fence"
1. The Money Pit ~ Tom Hanks at his comedic best. This should be mandatory viewing for anyone tackling a renovation, not for what you'll learn but strictly for the laughs. And if you've got a cool $7.9 you can buy the house! It's a 9-bedroom 1898 Colonial located in Lattingtown, NY.
Remodeling Tips from the Fool
We've long been a fan of the Motley Fool and consider their financial advice to be sound and reasonable (and sometimes amusing). They even saved us a few thousand dollars on a new car purchase we made a few years ago.
They've got a fairly active message board with topics such as Building/Maintaining a Home and Buying or Selling a Home. Another great way to communicate with homeowners who may be facing a similar situation.
Maintaining and Remodeling Your Home [The Motley Fool]
Posted by at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 5, 2007
Repair Lawn Burn
Lawn burn is characterized by unsightly brown patches of grass and is typically caused by dog urine and over-fertilization.
Once your lawn is "burned" you'll have to replace the grass but there are measures you can take to prevent this from happening again. You may have to confine your dogs urination space and the easiest way to do this is to build a proper outdoor dog run. You should also take care in fertilizing your lawn and immediately cleanup any spilled fertilizer.
Posted by at 2:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 4, 2007
House Painting Tips & Techniques
Improve your painting skills with these tips that will help you choose the right brush for the job and the correct brush stroke technique to use.
Brushes, Rollers, Pads and Specialty Tools [DoItYourself]
Secrets of Smooth Brushwork [This Old House]
Interior House Painting Rules [About.com]
Why House Paints Fail [Old House Web]
Home Equity Stripping
Please be aware of an increasingly common type of fraud called "equity stripping". With foreclosures nearing record levels there are many homeowners willing to do anything to keep their homes. Under no circumstances should you transfer your deed to anyone or any organization especially if they promise to help solve your financial troubles.
Posted by at 1:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usJuly 3, 2007
The Anti-DIY Duo
The backlash to the home decoration/renovation tv shows has begun and is being led by one of the leaders in this show category, HGTV. This network will launch two Canadian shows hosted by Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan called, How Not to Decorate and Home Heist. If these shows prove popular to our Northern neighbors we're sure you'll see them here soon.
How Not to Decorate seems like the home version of What Not to Wear and although these shows only scratch the surface of the home remodeling process, they've touched a nerve with folks who prefer the DIFY (Do-It-For-You) approach.
Of course homeowner renovations can go horribly wrong and it's very easy to get in over your head, but that doesn't mean you should not attempt a project, especially if you've armed yourself with the proper knowledge of how to execute and complete a project. It also helps to communicate with other homeowners who may have faced similar projects, and the venerable Houseblogs.net remains the best forum for this.
Posted by at 12:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usJuly 2, 2007
NIBA Home
We typically leave the reporting of great home decorating stores to Design*Sponge but after a quick trip to Miami we have to give a shout to NIBA Home. Although they've only been around a couple of years they have garnered much buzz that we agree is well-deserved.
The choice pieces of crystal bowls, lucite chandeliers, and Luis Pons furniture, make this store a must-see when visiting the design district in Miami.
Posted by at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.us
