Tips
When spring comes and the snow melts away, dirt and grime are bound to be left behind. Pick a sunny day and get outside to give the deck or patio a good cleaning.
Make sure that the temperature is high enough to avoid freezing the diluted cleaning solution.
1) Gently clear away any remaining ice or snow patches on the patio with a broom or plastic shovel. This will remove any heavy debris as well, leaving just the stains and build up from the snow.
2) Buy a concentrated cleaner that works for both wood and concrete for the most versatility. Dilute the solution as per the instructions on the bottle.
3) Using a shop broom or a long handled scrub brush, clean the deck or patio surface. Start from one side and move all of the way across. The cleaning solution will likely foam a little (like soap) and the liquid in the bucket will get dirty faster than you think. Change up to clean solution as you feel the need to. Most brands will clean between 100 - 200 square feet of surface with each mix.
I took a recent trip over to the L.A. Times home blog where Emily Green, author of The Dry Garden column, takes on a nasty topic: weeds. The topic of weeds reminds me of summer vacations and getting "punished" for who-knows-what. I can never remember why I'd get in trouble but the punishment was always the same - helping my Mother weed the garden.
I dreaded sticking my knees in the dirt, swatting at pesky insects and sweating in the sun as my Mother would shout at me to "pull by the roots!" For those of you that consider this task just as tedious as I, read on for some clever tips by Emily Green.
Though Green's tips are for those of you in the SoCal area of the country, a lot of what she says can be applied elsewhere.
Last week, we gave you a few ideas for late-winter maintenance including everyone's favorite task: garage cleaning!
But no matter how much you dread (or look forward to) garage cleaning and re-organization, leave it to Chicago-based blogger Nicole of Making It Lovely to transform a functional, utilitarian space into a chic retreat befitting your home improvement and gardening projects.
Ah, the housing market. For those of us who have property up for sale, we're either forced to lower our asking price or take it off the market, crossing our fingers that it's only a matter of time until it's a seller's market once again. Until that happens, it's important to keep your home updated.
An upgrade doesn't necessarily mean a heavy kitchen reno or a landscape lift. DIY Network has come up with a great list of updates for under $1,000. But my faves? Some major changes for under $100. Now that's in my budget.
Here's some of their under $100 tips:
Pay A Pro
Yup. An hour consultation with a pro is usually under $100. They'll point out things you've never even thought of doing. Who knew brick linoleum was passe?
Hire An Inspector
A full home inspection will nip little problems in the bud - before they can become big break-the-bank problems. They can pick up on things that aren't cosmetic - like deteriorating roofs, termite infestation or outdated electrical systems.
As a part of my project-planning build-up, I research my idea to death. My degree is in Sociology (a very research-heavy field), so I get sort of a twisted enjoyment out of searching out information, comparing sources and methods, and divising my own conclusions about the subject at hand. This is no more true than when dealing with my home renovations.
And while the internet is obviously one of the quickest, easiest, and most expansive research tools there is, you have to proceed with caution. Just because a website says adding to existing plumbing is as easy as 1-2-3, doesn't mean really anything without the experience to back it up.
So here are a few tips on properly researching your next DIY project:
1. Check your information
Is the site you're looking at a well-respected site (like the one you're reading here)? Or is it just a Yahoo Questions page where any Joe Schmo can throw in their five cents? Make sure that when you're pulling from the Internet that some sort of expert or tradesperson is at least consulted on the project you're looking at.
Sometimes ready-to-assemble furniture is a nightmare. And by sometimes, I mean most of the time. Even for a moderately experienced DIYer like myself, identifying parts, trying to understand diagrams and figuring out where the heck part "g" is can be a total hassle.
After a recent battle with a Target TV stand (which took over four hours for me to assemble), I've decided to share some of my idiot-proof tips that I wish I'd thought of before I got started.
1. Make Space
Don't try and put together a piece right where you plan on putting it. Work on assembling something in an area where you can lay out all the pieces on the ground so that everything is visible. I'd also pick a room that you can walk away from in the inevitable moment when you'll need a breather.
2. Take Inventory
Check to see that every piece of the puzzle is there. Nothing is worse than making progress in the building and realizing you're short on a very important nut or bolt. I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me and I've had to live with a lopsided pieced together item that's waiting for a missing part to arrive.
While perusing my usual rounds of shelter blogs, I came across this post from Apartment Therapy's sister site Re-Nest, giving ideas for 25 DIY projects under $50 and thought I'd pass it along.
It's not often these days that we have an extra $50 to spend (with our son turning one this weekend and another baby on the way, we have to put the kiddos before the house) but I appreciate the idea that not every project to beautify your home has to be labor intensive and wallet-draining.
These February Favorites deserve gold stars! We've collected yours and our favorite posts from across our network for the month of February. These posts were retweeted, linked to and commented on the most.
Thanks again for reading!
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Choosing Kitchen Paint Colors
7 Simple Tips to Kitchen Faucet Shopping
Safely Living Next to a Vacant Home
The Wall Wizards Painting Tips
I'm a big fan of Craigslist. I've found lots of goodies like a vintage Formica kitchen table to a fabulous pine dresser that I'm hoping to pick up today. If you're looking to score on a great find, follow these tips before you buy.
Early Bird Catches The Worm
If you're in the market for a particular item - say a nightstand or a great vintage wing chair - search constantly. There's no rhyme or reason to when things are added to Craigslist, often it's about being in the right place at the right time. Try and do a search a few times throughout the day to get the newest updates in your area.
Get A Peek
If a photo isn't posted on the ad, make sure you email the seller and ask to see photos. If they aren't willing to provide, proceed with extreme caution.
Ask Questions
Find out about minor scratches, if the piece has been refinished, where it was originally purchased, measurements - everything you'd know upfront as if you were buying from an actual furniture dealer.
If you need extra room, but can't commit to a major remodel, consider parking a trailer in your yard. Oakland residents Zach Moser and Erica Gomes didn't have adequate space in their 2-bedroom, 900-square-foot Oakland bungalow to accommodate Zach's photography studio. So they drove lonely country roads and attended farm equipment auctions in California's Central Valley until they found this 1976 Airstream Caravanner for $2,500.
Want to find one of your own? It's not as hard, or as costly, as you might think.
First, don't look in the obvious places or you could pay a premium. Zach and Erica's unconventional tactics paid off fourfold (a similar one online is listed for $10,000). The couple scanned rural listings on Craigslist, and they weren't afraid to knock on doors when they found trailers abandoned on overgrown lots.
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