Monthly Archives:

October 2010

Transform Your IKEA Furniture with MyKEA

We’ve discovered a brilliant concept in the decor world called MyKEA. The beauty of IKEA furniture is in their simplicity, value and modern design, but at times the design itself can be so drab that we often wish the…

Viking Appliance and Range Rebates

If you are serious about cooking and need industrial grade appliances, you’ve probably considered a Viking range. Now might be the best time to pull the trigger on a purchase as they wanted us to share some rebates from…

Top 5 New Tools for Your Wish List

Envy. Awe. Uncontrollable desire. Warning – you may experience all of these things when you get a load of these tools. New to the market or just improvements to tried and true favorites, these tools are true must-haves. OK,…

How To Make a Halloween Spider That Scares Everyone

Visit any big box retailer and you’re likely to see no shortage of blow up monsters, ghosts, goblins and other creepy creatures for Halloween. But we were impressed by this massive-sized homemade monster of the eight-legged variety. Whether it…

The Dyson City Is Oh So Pretty

New from Dyson this year is the DC26 Multi floor or better known as the “Dyson City”. As with all Dyson vacuums the Dyson City uses Root Cyclone technology which means Dyson vacuums don’t lose suction power as you…

Seeking Fall Interns

We’re looking for a motivated, blog-savvy, college student who enjoys all things DIY and has a strong interest in remodeling, green building, tools or home design. Internship responsibilities may include but not be limited to research, blog management, outreach,…

How To Install Baseboard Molding Around A Corner

Beautiful hardwood floors, check. New sheetrock walls, check. Baseboard molding, around a corner; not as hard as it seems. Molding and a quarter round will hide the fact that the floor and wall don’t quite meet up. Here’s a…

Schnepf Farms for Pumpkins, U-Pick, and Family Fun

Driving the I-10 corridor from Tucson to Phoenix isn’t where you’d expect to find an amazing organic farm and pumpkin patch but if you ask anyone in Arizona, Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek is the place to be in…

How To Clean Your Gutters

As we mentioned in our fall maintenance checklist, cleaning gutters is very important to the overall health of your home as gutters blocked by debris such as leaves and branches will cause water to buildup on your roof as…

Projects That Use Leftover Paint

You have a dilemma, and I have an answer. You were so inspired during Charles & Hudson’s Paint Month celebration that you went on a painting spree, expertly coating your walls for a fresh, colorful new look. And now…

Your Fall Maintenance Checklist

I love a good list. It keeps me organized and focused, and I savor the sense of accomplishment when I can draw a big line through a completed item. Thanks to Kiplinger’s newly released fall and winter home maintenance…

Stock Up Now On Winter Supplies

Yes, I said it — the dreaded “w” word! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but freezing temperatures, snow and ice will be here before you know it (for a lot of the country, anyway.) Before…

Crank It Up: A DIY Soundtrack

What’s a good, messy renovation project without music? In the spirit of all things DIY, we’ve compiled a suggested soundtrack to get you through even the toughest of home projects. Warning: May cause spontaneous singing and dancing instead of…

NeverFade Paint A Sure Bet For Exterior Projects

One of the best ways to increase your home’s curb appeal (and give it a whole new look) is by painting the exterior. And if you’re looking for a paint that can withstand tough temperatures and the elements, NeverFade…

Marble Countertops Are Built To Last

Although granite countertops continue to be the most popular choice in the kitchen, marble is also a great option if you seek an all-natural stone option. One of the biggest deterrents to using marble as a countertop material is…

Before Renovating, Put This On Your To-Do List

So you’re planning for a renovation — congratulations! You’re probably up to your neck in sketches, plans, samples, swatches and other necessary materials. But before you proceed with the actual work, make sure you accomplish this crucial first step:…

Must-Have Tools For Home Repair Success

A DIYer without tools is like an artist without a paintbrush; a writer without a pencil; a blogger without a computer — well, you get my drift. The importance of tools to home improvement projects is undeniable, but the…

How To Hang Art On A Concrete Wall

Oh, what a happy day it was when I stumbled across Amy Devers’ new “Hands On” column for ReadyMade magazine. As she guided a couple of Brooklynites on hanging art and pictures on a seemingly impervious concrete wall, I…

Git R Done with our DIY City Guides

Have you checked out our DIY City Guides? We’ve gone coast to coast and pulled some great resources for do-it-yourself types in the following cities. Seattle Portland Oakland/East Bay Los Angeles Tucson Chicago…

Build A Fire Pit In Two Hours Or Less

What better way to celebrate the crisp weather of fall — especially those delightfully chilly evenings — than with a backyard fire pit? And thanks to a DIY version featured in this month’s Fresh Home magazine, you can be…

A Successful Lighting Plan Starts With Layering

You already know that, just a few years ago, I was woefully ignorant when it came to lighting. I existed solely on pre-installed overhead lights, relishing a soft, ambient glow only when the Christmas tree was lit. I’ve now…

A Settlement in the Toxic Chinese Drywall Case

At least one Chinese producer of drywall has agree to fund home repairs in response to the lawsuit of toxic drywall poisoning people and their homes. From CNN: A company that imported Chinese-made drywall that American homeowners complained made…

Caring For and Cleaning Your Pellet Stove

An excellent choice for alternative heating, a pellet stove is just like any other household appliance. It requires maintenance. Since you can’t hide and hope the fireplace fairy takes care of things, it’s best to know exactly what sort…

Illuminate The Way With Luminescent Light Switch Covers

I’ve always loved things that glow in the dark. As a kid, my ceiling was peppered with stick-on stars and planets, transforming my room into a veritable planetarium. And now, I’ve got a small glow in the dark skull…

Insulate the Safe Way With Sheep Wool Insulation

Think about how warm and cozy that wool sweater keeps you in the middle of winter. Now imagine how comfortable you would be if your home had a layer of wool to protect it. With sheep wool insulation –…

The Lowdown on LED Light Bulbs from Home Depot

Home Depot invited us to check out their lineup of LED light bulbs which we’ve been wanting to investigate since watching an episode of This New house that profiled some offerings from Philips Lighting. Blake who has been a…

Ultimate Home Builders on DIY Network

We’ve got word from the DIY Network that they are casting for another show called Ultimate Home Builders and they are seeking contractors, builders and homeowners. Details below: Ultimate Home Builders DIY Network is searching for homeowners, builders and…

Combat Electrical Overload With New Line of Amprobe Tools

Like it or not, the holidays will be here before we know it! If you prefer to channel your inner Clark Griswold with an over-the-top holiday lighting display (or simply want to troubleshoot your existing electrical devices), the new…

Stay Safe When Repairing Garage Door Springs

It happens every time. Your garage door springs decides that the chilly nights of fall are the perfect time to break. Figures. The question is – are you able to tackle the garage door spring repair? Replacing torsion springs…

Painting Stripes Made Easy With U-Stripe-It & Design

Painted stripes have a transformative power. Wide, colorful stripes add a bit of whimsy to a room, while narrow, more muted lines exude a certain sophistication. Yet when it comes to actually painting stripes, the precision work can often…

Giveaway: AutoCAD Freestyle Design Tool

We’ve listed our favorite virtual room design tools and near the top of the list is the AutoCAD Freestyle. This software lets homeowners create accurate, professional-looking drawings that can be shared with contractors and even input into professional CAD…

Trade Up During The Home Depot’s Drill Recycling Event

Has your drill seen better days? This month, take your well-worn tool to your nearest Home Depot location for recycling (battery, too). The recycling event runs through October 27, during which Home Depot recycles drills using an environmentally safe…

Denim Insulation: Mr. Green Jeans has Arrived

Denim insulation has people excited about an alternative to cellulose insulation and in simple terms anyone can understand the construction of denim insulation. Typically the materials for most natural cotton fiber insulation types are sourced from scraps at the…

Cellulose Insulation: Choose This Green Option Carefully

Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newspaper that has been treated with either sodium borate, boric acid, or ammonium sulfate. These chemicals are required to make the cellulose insulation fire resistant and also to repel rodents, mold and insects.…

Embrace Contrast With Dark Grout

During this morning’s perusal of ApartmentTherapy, I stumbled across a fantastic idea: combining gleaming white subway tile with dark grout to create a vivid yet polished contrast. I love the way the grout makes the tiles pop — this…

How To Prep Plaster Walls For Painting

If you live in a home built before World War II, chances are that you have plaster walls. If you’re considering painting your walls a new color, or simply refreshing the existing hue, here are some tips to help…

Quick Tip? Install A Furnace Filter Whistle

That’s right — now, your furnace can whistle while it works! Or, rather, doesn’t work, as the furnace filter whistle emits noise when your furnace filter is 50 percent clogged. Knowing when to change your furnace filter can go…

October Is The Best Month To Buy Appliances

The brilliant minds at Lifehacker are back with their “Best Things To Buy” list, and this month, kitchen appliances are one of the featured items. Much like clothing and other stores swap out seasonal merchandise, appliance stores are trying…

The Most Common Green Home Project In 2010

This year’s most popular environmentally friendly project? Window replacements, according to a study published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. The study surveyed service professionals in the top 50 markets as ranked by the U.S. Census…

Should You Make The Switch To Radiant Heating?

The majority of homeowners use a forced-air system to provide heating and cooling. Yet more and more are turning to radiant heat for several reasons, including its superior heating power, energy efficiency and, in the long-term, reduced energy costs.…

Spare Change Equals New Floor

I can’t get enough of unconventional materials used in a DIY project, or even ordinary objects used in extraordinary ways. My latest inspiration? Flooring created from pennies. What a brilliant way to use something that is really kinda worthless.…

Proper Disposal of Extra Paint & Paint Containers

Disposing of paint is always a chore and now that you’ve spent the warmer days of autumn getting to all those paint projects you meant to do all summer, your garage, basement, or shed probably looks an awful lot…

Illuminate A Small Space With These Lighting Tips

If you’re DIYing on a budget, it’s all about making thoughtful decisions that will enhance a room without leaving you penniless. Making a few lighting changes, especially if you find yourself in a small space, can go a long…

Where To Install Smoke Alarms In Your Home

Installing smoke alarms throughout your home — and keeping them in proper working condition — is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family and pets. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly…

October Is Green Building Month at C&H!

I can’t believe how fast 2010 is flying by, but October is here — and at Charles & Hudson, that means the spotlight centers on all things green building. Green building, an all-encompassing terms that includes both environmentally friendly…

Attend Homes Tours For Inspiration, Ideas

This weekend kicks off Kansas City’s annual Parade of Homes, a two-week tour that features 199 homes throughout the metropolitan area. Homes tours such as the Parade of Homes are generally geared toward prospective buyers, but can also be…