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September 29, 2007
Cleaning Your Paintbrush is Easier than Ever
Stop wasting time trying to rescue paint brushes that have become useless because they were never cleaned properly. The EZ Clean Paintbrush debuted at the 2006 National Hardware Show and operates under a concept so simple it falls under the "Why didn't I think of that" category.
After using the brush simply screw the handle end into a garden hose or utility sink and turn the water on. The brush will get clean from the inside out as water runs over every bristle. Having not actually tested this brush ourselves we are curious as to the quality of the brush and handle.
If anyone has used one and wants to share please let us know in the comments.
Posted by at 10:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usBuild a Solar Water Heater
Here's a weekend project that can teach you some principles of sustainable living by building your very own solar water heater.
Posted by at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usLED Table - Weird or Wonderful
This table looks like fun...for maybe 5 minutes. Actually if this wasn't the centerpiece of your living space I can see it working in a kids play room or game room
September 28, 2007
Existing Home Sales Slump
We wish we'd see less of these signs but alas the future for existing home sales looks bleak. But if you living in the right city/town real estate is still booming or at least people are buying and selling at a reasonable clip.
Posted by at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usTrombe Walls and Wind Turbines are Good for the Environment but Tough on the Wallet
This couple built their eco-friendly dream home that includes all the bells-and-whistles when it comes to environmentally conscious materials and design. But their fervor for living "green" hasn't come cheap. There are less expensive alternatives to every solution they chose but if money were no object this house project would be a joy to plan.
Our favorite features are the Trombe Wall, a masonry structure that stores the sun's heat from south-facing windows in the winter, releasing it throughout the living space and Shades and eaves keep it from heating up in summer, and wind turbine that generates electricity.
Posted by at 8:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | post to del.icio.usHome Sweet Highway
We've all seen random couches, chairs, or tables along the side of the road but a house?
Posted by at 1:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 27, 2007
Furnished Room Over Garage (FROG)
The Furnished Room Over Garage (FROG) continues to be one of the more popular home additions as well as the In-Law Suite. Here are some links that outline the remodeling plans motivations behind these types of additions.
Insulate Your FROG [Bobvila.com]
Your FROG is too hot! [Doityourself.com]
The In-Law Suite [Design Basics]
Plans for an In-Law Suite [CADSmith Studio]
In-Law Suites Grow With Changing Families [Zip Realty]
September 24, 2007
Using a Wet Saw to Cut Costs and Tile
Cutting ceramic or stone tile and granite countertops can be done using a wet saw. You can rent wet saws and save yourself some money by sizing and cutting the materials yourself. Wet saws use a diamond edged blade to slice through the hardest of stone and the water keeps the blade cool and the dust down.
How to Cut Tile with a Wet Saw [Popular Mechanics]
Posted by at 2:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usWorld's Narrowest Home
At least this family has a roof over their head (albeit a very, very, thin one)
Posted by at 1:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 23, 2007
Home and Garden Answers from Yahoo!
The increasingly popular Yahoo! Answers is a great reservoir of popular home and garden questions and answers. There are more specific categories that include DIY, Decorating & Remodeling, and Maintenance and Repairs.
Posted by at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 22, 2007
5 Great Reasons to Start Doing-It-Yourself
For some women (and men) DIY and home improvement doesn't come naturally. But here are 5 great reasons to start doing-it-yourself.
Posted by at 1:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 21, 2007
More Answers to Your Home Improvement and
DIY Questions
Check out these great forums that just may hold the key to unlocking your DIY dreams.
DIY Chatroom
DoItYourself.com Forums
Ultimate Handyman Forum
House Repair Talk
Yahoo! Answers - Home and Garden
September 19, 2007
Woodworking Projects to Finish in a Weekend
We've found a great how-to guide for wood working called Lee's Wood Projects that includes many wood working plans that are ambitious for the beginner but manageable by anyone with time and tools. Our favorites are the classic outdoor picnic table, toy box, and wooden planter.
Posted by at 1:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 18, 2007
55 Million Dollar San Francisco Palace
An Italian Renaissance in the heart of San Francisco. Can be yours for a cool 55 Million.
Posted by at 1:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 17, 2007
Clean Your Kitchen in 5 Minutes or Less
It's amazing how quickly our kitchens can become disaster zones. After just a few meals (or one) the plates can be piled to the ceilings and there can be numerous appliances to clean. It's tough when cooking to stay on top of the mess that you are always creating. You don't always have time to get your hands too dirty so here are some tips from Real Simple to speed clean your kitchen.
Posted by at 1:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usNever to Early for Halloween Goodies
These Skeleton Spreaders should get you and your household into the Halloween spirit.
Posted by at 1:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 13, 2007
Build a Workbench for $20
Hammerzone has a great build-it-yourself workbench that can be made for under $20 and will be as sturdy as any bench you'll find. You may want to check out the more detailed version of this project if you've never tackled a woodworking project before.
Posted by at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 12, 2007
The Ultimate House Flip
We're talking literally! Check out this house built upside down by a Polish businessman located in the village of Szymbark. Apparently he meant it to have symbolic political message but whatever his point was he grabbed our attention. Would be great to have some interior photos.
Posted by at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 10, 2007
Maximize the Profits from Your Yard Sale
If you are taking the time and energy to have a yard sale why not maximize your profits. There's much more you can do than hang a sign to get folks to stop in as well as make a purchase. These tips will help you organize your items and make them more appealing as well as provide direction as to what items are most appealing to yard sale shoppers.
September 6, 2007
Study Up on Your Home's History
All home's have a history, albeit some more interesting than others. There are a few ways to research your home's past starting with your neighbors (preferably the older residents) who may have known the previous homeowners or have photos of neighborhood landmarks or changes.
You can then check out your home's deed which is typically available at the recorder's office of the city hall. Your deed should show all past ownership as well as changes in address. Yes, your home may not have moved but your neighborhood may have been re-zoned and re-numbered causing a change of address.
If you've got an old home that you are looking to restore to it's original historical glory, the National Trust is a great resource. Listed below are some other tips for researching the history of your old or not so old home.
Tips on How to Trace the History of Your House [Toronto Public Library]
Researching the History of Your House [University of Maryland]
House History [The National Archives]
Find the History of a Home [The Old House Web]
Be an Old House Detective and Find the History of Your Home [Associated Content]
September 4, 2007
A Compilation of Green Building Videos
Jetson Green has built a Green Building video player that combines their favorite green videos from YouTube. You can watch all 17 in a row and let them know if you like the player and they'll continue to update it.
Posted by at 1:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usTechniques for Cleaning Tile Grout
We've found that oxygen bleach and water work great for cleaning tile grout but to thoroughly clean your tile you'll need to take the time to remove the top layer of old grout then re-apply new grout. This is a time consuming process and you must be careful as to not scratch your tile but you'll have a bathroom or kitchen that looks brand new.
Posted by at 1:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | post to del.icio.usSeptember 3, 2007
Top 10 Virtual Room Planning Tools
Home design and decorating websites continue the race to build the ultimate virtual room designer. In choosing our top 10 we looked for ease of use, number of choices, and bottom line how well the finished result helped design or decorate our own room.
10. Virtual Room Planner - This virtual room planner gives our list a bit of international flair. Brought to you by the BBC this is the only room planner that comes with someone in it. We can't figure out of this is a celebrity or a helpful reference to compare what a person would look like in the room. You'll have to see for yourself.
9. This Old House Digital Designer - This tool used to be free and was one of the first virtual room designers that allowed you to upload your own photos. It's now available for $10.99 so considering the plethora of other free options you should probably look elsewhere.
8. Design a Room - This product from iVillage has some great options but the photos are very small and the interface looks a bit dated. There is a focus on flooring which can be explained by it's main sponsor Armstrong.
6. and 7. HGTV Kitchen Designer and Room Planner - HGTV shares the 7 and 8 places with the best Kitchen Designer online and a Room Planner that falls a bit short. The 2D aspect of the Kitchen Designer may turn off some but it's highly detailed and provides a look that is easy to read and compare to most designers plans.
5. Arrange-a-Room - We hate the BHG pop-up ad which kills some of the goodwill it's newly designed website brings to the table but their room tool is quick and easy and allows you to enter room dimensions which provides the spatial requirements that some virtual designers overlook.
4. PointClickDesign - This virtual room designer works quickly and doesn't overwhelm with too many choices or intrusive product placement. But there is less detail and it is only 2D. (full disclosure: Charles and Hudson Editor works at PointClickHome)
3. Plan3D - This online room planner is more of a whole house design solution and is available for $2.95 per month which may be a nice alternative to paying the steep cost of some home design software. Expect comprehensive 3D interior and exterior designs and the ability to save and share them.
2. SketchUp - We've been a firm believer in this application from Google for awhile now and they've expanded their offering by launching SketchUp Pro which allows you to export your project in to CAD or other professional program as well as create full presentations that include visual and text elements. Nothing allows you the flexibility to design a complete home plan as well as SketchUp.
1. DesignMyRoom - Swatchbox technologies is responsible for building the Digital Designer for This Old House but it looks like they have kept their best product for themselves in DesignMyRoom.com. This tool offers the most variety we've seen from a virtual designer from the types of rooms you can create to the number of product offerings available for each room which if you are happy with their products you can print your shopping list and hit the store. You can also upload your own photos to re-design your room just way you like it.
Posted by at 2:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | post to del.icio.us
