We're pleased to announce the launch of 5 more blogs which will focus on Kitchens, Paint, Green Building, Tools and Home Security.
The depth of these categories is huge so we felt they needed their own websites.
You can reach these other blogs from the navigation bar at the very top of the page and don't forget the content on every blog is also segmented into specific categories which you'll find along the right-hand side of the website.
We can now offer direct advertising opportunities across our entire network or on a single blog within the network.
We'd like to thank Maggie Hong of Pixrelated for creating our great crest logos and Chad Everett for his Movable Type mastery in developing the back-end of our blogs.
We'd also like to thank our bevy of bloggers who pump out great content on a daily basis, Katy Ryan, Tabatha Muntzinger, Laura Serino, Diana Dart, Deren Monday and Jennifer Volland. You can also check out the rest of our team here.
If you're interested in blogging for Charles & Hudson or have a product or service announcement you think would be a great fit for our home improvement blog network please contact us.
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoy our new blogs.
Out of all the work trucks we saw at the 2010 Builders' Show the Carmix One was the coolest.
It's a self-loading concrete mixer that's perfect for when you need a lot more concrete than a wheel barrow can provide and you need it in multiple spots quickly. It's also small enough to be more nimble and manageable than a full-size mixer truck which is overkill for most projects.
Every builder needs a truck and the big 3 did not disappoint as they had their burliest and baddest trucks on display but none were as cool as the DeWALT Ford F-350 we saw at CES this year.
Surprisingly the truck lineup at IBS 2010 didn't include any foreign options. Toyota and Nissan have both made significant inroads into the full-size truck industry with the Tundra and Titan and we would've like to take a closer look.
If you love looking at the latest trucks then this photo gallery is for you. We took photos of every truck on the floor and to our surprise the new Dodge Ram had the most impressive styling changes. The more aggressive forward sloping grill is a nice touch and the interior was more luxurious than Ram's of past.
Digging a bit deeper and looking beyond the monster displays at the Builders' Show, we're looking forward to visiting these 4 booths that might be small on space but deliver big on product.
Parasoleil
If these architectural panels are as beautiful in person as on their website, we're sold!
RipCart
We're hoping they have a demo setup. Would love to see a circular saw rip some stuff up at IBS 2010.
Stilleto Tools
We'd love to take a swing with their TBII-15. Is the most expensive hammer out there worth it?
Carhartt
This clothing company keeps it simple yet rugged and stylish. We always pine for their latest but our current Carhartt coats never wear out.
We'll follow up with live tweets from these booths and blog posts later next week.
In the film Thomas Crown Affair, we loved how Pierce Brosnan hid stolen paintings behind an electronically controlled faux piece of art that would raise and lower which provided him access to his secret stash.
The Art Screen from Vutec works in a similar way and instead of hiding contraband it will conceal your big screen TV.
There are numerous pieces of "art" to choose from and they will even do a custom piece of your choosing but that could be costly. The frame styles are also customized by the homeowner and everything is controlled by IR remote.
MSRP is $1,099 and you can install the unit yourself.
We asked our editors for some gift guide ideas and the first to respond was Deren. Here's his gift guide that is perfect for home improvement newbies.
In our part of the United States, low-priced "starter homes" are selling right and left. Impressive deals abound and new home buyers are rightfully benefiting from great market conditions.
In the spirit of new-home ownership, I assembled a list of 6 tools perfect for home improvement newbies. With these items you will be well on your way toward a comprehensive workshop for an array of products.
A few comments on selection criteria:
1. I have used all of these tools myself (or perhaps a slightly older model) and find them impressive to say the least.
2. My selections are based on VALUE. I hate pointless product features; they only appeal to people who don't know what they are doing. My selections are not top-of-the-line, all the bells and whistles, have-to-take-out-a-loan-to-purchase tools.They get the job done for a great price.
3. Below I will share the product link, but I won't explain every last facet of the tool. I figure Amazon does a better job at this. I simply tell you why I find the product to be such an impressive buy.
So, here we go!
Zircon StudSensor i60 Center-Finding Stud Finder
What It Is: A stud finder is, quite simply, a tool for pinpointing the location of wood (and in some models, metal) structural elements behind drywall, tile, or most other wall surfaces.
When You Use It: A stud finder is essential for many home improvement projects. Installing crown molding, baseboard, chair rail, putting in closet inserts, hanging heavy items on the wall; all require identifying solid backing.
Why I'm In Love With The Zircon i60:
1. The Zircon i60 is light-weight. Since you will be holding it to a wall or ceiling repeatedly, light-weight and maneuverability are essential for comfortable use.
2. The electrical current sensor. The Zircon i60 notifies the user when an electrical current is present in the wall, allowing you to avoid penetrating wiring when installing the fastener.
3. The Zircon i60 uses LED lighting displays, not LCD. LED (you know, the little colored light) is much more durable than LCD (like your digital watch screen). My stud finder takes a lot of abuse, and LCD would just not last in my toolbox. Besides, unless you want to download music videos and watch them on your stud finder, an LCD is overkill.
Bessey D-BKWH Quick-Change Folding Utility Knife
What It Is: A utility knife is an all-purpose cutting tool that uses removable, disposable razor blades.
When You Use It: Ummm, any time you cut something? I use mine to sharpen a pencil, cut through plastic sheeting or cardboard, open a tube of caulking, etc.
Why I Am In Love With The Bessey D-BKWH:
1. Extremely quick blade change. I mean, I can change a blade in under 6 seconds, no joke. (I actually timed myself. I admit, I am a total tool nerd...) Simply unsnap the lock bar, slide out the main clasp, change the blade, slide the main clasp back in and snap the lock bar in place. Done. No need for a screwdriver or any other tools.
2. Safety. Throughout the blade-change process, you are never exposed to difficult movements that create a cutting danger. I have used utility knives that force you to slide locks adjacent to the blade. Can't tell you how many times I nearly severed tendons trying to open a stuck slide lock.
3. The Bessey D-BKWH folds in half when not in use, allowing for safe and simple storage in a pocket or a tool belt. When working on my projects, I simply slide this knife into my jeans pocket at the beginning of the day, and never think about it again until I need to use it. When a need arises, I just grab it from my pocket, flip it open, and I'm ready to go.
4. Once flipped open, the knife is ready to go. I can't stand the knives that force you to slide the blade in and out. So often the slide gets stuck, creating great annoyance when you have to disassemble the knife just to fix the sliding mechanism. No hassle like this with the Bessey D-BKWH.
Newborn Bros & Co #111 1/10GAL Hex Rod Caulker
What It Is: A caulking gun, or caulker, is a tool used for dispensing any product out of a tube container.
When You Use It: Use a caulking gun for an array of projects that require caulking or adhesive. I use mine mostly for caulking paint-grade trim and adhering wall paneling.
Why I Am In Love With The Newborn Bros Caulker:
1. Durability. I dare you to break it. It's more durable than Tiger Woods' image. Oh, wait...
2. It showcases a whopping two features: A puncture tool and a spout-cutter. Both are used to open a new tube of caulking or adhesive.
3. I love simple tools, and this is the poster-boy for simple and effective tools.
It's our final week of the Great Gift Challenge sponsored by Martha Stewart & eBay. Previously we had discovered some great gifts on eBay ranging from a garden tool set, hideaway hitch-safe, wet/dry vac and laser range finder.
Our friends in Vermont bought an old barn and have spent the last 6 months converting it into their new home. It was in rough shape but they got a steal on the property and the barn had too much character to tear down. The process has been a learning experience and their collection of tools and equipment continues to grow (good thing they will be living in a barn!).
This week our price point is a gift at $300 (minus shipping) and this really expands the possibilities. The great thing about the perfect gift is to receive something that you normally wouldn't spend on for yourself but once you get it you'd wonder how you ever got along without it.
We think the Warn PullzAll fits the bill as a gift that you may never consider buying but becomes indispensable once you receive it. The PullzAll is cordless and will lift or pull up to 1,000 lbs. at the press of a button. The applications are numerous but become apparent especially when working alone or with little help.
Earlier this year we tested the Energizer Hard Case Headlamp and came away thoroughly impressed! So why not give it away!
Energizer Hard Case Professional Headlight
* 100 lumens of light
* 4 light modes: 1 white LED (high & low), 2 red LEDs, 1 green LED
* Survives 15' drop test
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
HOW TO ENTER
You've got 2 ways to enter to win this headlight from Energizer:
1. Leave a comment on this post with the words "I see the light!".
2. Tweet this post. See the green "retweet" button above. Just use it and tweet away!
Only one entry permitted per email address but each method of entry counts and so you'll increase your chance of winning if you comment and tweet. Please use a real email address so we can contact you if you win.
GIVEAWAY DEADLINE
The random winner will be chosen at 12 midnight EST on Dec 11, 2009 and will be notified immediately.
COMMENT HERE TO WIN
