There are a myriad ways to select paint colors. Fashion, fabric, furniture, other textiles, magazines, movies — the sources of inspiration are seemingly endless. And here’s another idea to chew on (pun intended!); paint colors inspired by your favorite…
Monthly Archives:
November 2010
We’ve got some tips for choosing the right Christmas tree for your home. Choosing the right Christmas Tree Make sure you measure accurately the area you will keep your tree. Not just the ceiling height but also the diameter…
No that’s not a microscope, it’s a first-look at the Dremel Trio. This unique tool has almost as many functions as looks. Dremel has designed the Trio to work as a spiral jigsaw, edge sander and detail router. There…
They’ve been nearly inescapable the last couple of weeks, unless you’re (lucky enough to be) living under a rock. Commercials touting the latest holiday retail deals are filling airwaves and print media with declarations of stunning bargains, one of…
Cordless drills/drivers should be included in any list of required do-it-yourself tools. The applications and uses are endless and they are extremely simple to use. If you’re going with the convenience of cordless you can use the tool to…
The hot tool of this year has to be the oscillating tool. Almost every major manufacturer has produced an oscillating tool as the demand has begun to skyrocket now that the public realizes the many uses and advantages of…
It happens to all of us — you get out your holiday decorations, are all stoked to trim the tree and create a celebratory light show to be seen from space when lo and behold, one (or many) strings…
You know that awesome Black & Decker 24V Cordless Trimmer/Edger that we reviewed last week? It’s our next Giveaway and is only for our Facebook friends so head over to our Facebook page and “Comment” and “Like” the photo…
The alternative post for this was going to be “why design students never cease to amaze me”. Designed by Kristin Laass and Norman Ebelt from Germany, this clever project (spotted on freshome) is called “Small Type” and it has…
John Lewis is one of the most popular retailers in the UK and they are well known for their wide selection of kitchen offerings. You can now find John Lewis Kitchen offers on a special section of their website…
Milwaukee tends to breed a certain type of brand loyalty as their inked fans have proven. The Milwaukee Hackzall M12 follows in the grand tradition of Milwaukee tools but at a smaller size. This review of the Hackzall M12…
You’ve got a dilemma. Maybe you live in an urban environment and are starved for lush landscaping. Or you live in an arid climate in which grass is minimized to require less water. Or you really, really love the…
One of the more fun (and yet so frustrating) parts of making little people is creating a space for them in which to eventually reside. Yet once the furniture is built, the impossibly small clothes are folded, and the…
The RYOBI TEK4 Digital Inspection Scope is the latest entry in a “getting crowded” inspection scope/camera category. Inspection cameras and scopes were once the domain of trade professionals and the cost vs. use was prohibitive to most homeowners. Not…
We’ve been looking forward to the 2010 Greenbuild Expo in Chicago for a few months now and it definitely didn’t disappoint. The show keeps growing year after year and not only are the numbers of exhibitors increasing but attendance…
We’ve got a thing for handy no-nonsense knives so it makes sense that we fell in love with the SOG Flash II so quickly. From the comfortable handle to the serrated edge, there are a number of small details…
At Greenbuild this year, Kohler introduced it’s its popular Wellworth toilet which has undergone a redesign both cosmetically and internally. They’ve been selling the Wellworth toilet since 1936 and at a retail cost of $261 it is one of…
TOTO is well known for creating stylish toilets that have multi-functions such as the washlet. They were on hand Greenbuild this year sharing their latest innovations, two of which we found fascinating. Their eco-power faucets and double cyclone flushing…
We were looking forward to checking out the AirRenew Gypsum Board from CertainTeed at Greenbuild this year and had an opportunity to speak with Ashwin Himat of CertainTeed about the board. Here’s what he had to say about the…
We want to shed some light on a little known danger in the kitchen. Recently a one-year old child was killed when he climbed onto the open door of a stove and the range tipped over and killed him.…
The latest project on Instructables is an amazing kinetic marble track a Dad built along the perimeter of his son’s room and runs along the wall. As you watch the video the marble challenges seem to get more difficult…
Because so many people spend Thanksgiving Day cooking large amounts of food, it may not come as a surprise that the Red Cross reports that the holiday sees more than double the number of home cooking fires than a…
Recently we posted about DIY Dads and their declining numbers. While the article wanted to point out that today’s young men aren’t learning trade and fix-it skills from their dads as much as decades past, I think it’s only…
The Craftsman Experience showroom is perfectly located almost under the “L” train in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. The urban industrial setting is the ideal backdrop to prepare you for the Craftsman Experience. We had an opportunity to…
We don’t want to completely bypass Thanksgiving to get to Christmas, but many people opt to break out the holiday decorations the weekend after Turkey Day. And if you have Christmas lights hanging on a tree, elsewhere in your…
Maybe you’re trying to set up house for guests this holiday season. Maybe you’re in the middle of a room renovation and the budget’s a wee too tight to get the ideal piece of furniture. Or maybe you’re just…
Black & Decker has introduced an upgrade to their cordless trimmer/edger with a 24V model. It’s still light, strong and maneuverable but with much more power than their 18V offering. Hits: Ease of operation, Battery life, Clean, Power Boost…
If you’ve had the unfortunate task of calling for a bedbug exterminator, the guy or gal that shows up at your door could be the next Jake Gyllenhaal or Anne Hathaway. An odd article from the Wall Street Journal…
DIY home security the way to go if you are traveling next week for Thanksgiving, take the time this weekend to make sure your house is in order so you aren’t scrambling last minute to secure your home. Follow…
There is no doubt that gaining LEED certification can play a major impact on the value of a property and there is one guy who doesn’t think this is fair. In fact he is so adamant that LEED certification…
A pile of trash stacked on the curbside. Seems rather innocent, doesn’t it? Yet you may want to monitor what’s in the trash before you haul it outside. Now is the time of year for gifts, and often, that…
We talk a lot about energy conservation, yet water conservation is just as important for both homeowners and commercial building owners. Besides making good environmental sense, monitoring your water consumption is an easy way to reap savings on your…
Interior painters are not on most peoples speed dial as the process of painting a room is one of the most basic do-it-yourself jobs a homeowner can tackle and often times the most rewarding. From selecting the paint colors…
We often think about donating non-perishable food, gently used clothing and other household items to help those in need. But what about tools? Thanks to an organization called Tools For Self-Reliance, you can donate your gently used tools. Each…
OK, we know — the iPhone as an actual home improvement tool? It’s a bit of a stretch. But with so many DIY-focused apps on the market, handy devices like the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad can increasingly service…
Greenbuild is really buzzing today. The energy is as high as the attendance seems to be and the Expo has filled the McCormick place to the brim. We’ve already had great chats with folks from Glidden, Kohler, Certainteed, Sylvania,…
That wonderful day of eating and giving thanks is a mere week away! You’re probably busy planning your menu (and devising your grocery store plan of attack), but if you have any spare time, consider one (or several) of…
For most of us, one of the hardest parts of a large-scale renovation is dealing with the mess, confusion and chaos created by the project. Take the kitchen, for example, which is often the center of the home. If…
The green building industry is at the cutting-edge of the construction trade and is no stranger to early adoption. Sustainable manufacturers and retailers were some of the first companies to share their message via social media and the online…
As the temperatures finally begin to drop, it’s ever more apparent that winter is just around the corner. While it may be easy to keep your spirits bright during the holiday season, once January hits, the weather and our…
Outstanding candidates for Home Depot jobs are always in demand and as one of the largest retailers, the Home Depot must fill a variety of full and part-time positions in stores across the country. They are hiring for in-store…
Greenbuild 2010 takes over Chicago this week and we’ll be on the ground covering it from top to bottom. Colin Powell kicks off the conference and tradeshow as the featured keynote speaker and there will be over 1,000 manufacturers…
With autumn drawing to a close, it’s time to address the arduous task of cleaning up all those gorgeous fall leaves strewn about your yard. However, many waste management companies and municipalities are requiring that yard waste be bagged…
As our lives become greener with every action, purchase, and eco-conscious decision, sometimes it’s easy to assume just about everything is recyclable. Unfortunately, that’s not entirely the case, and as responsible DIY’ers it’s our responsibilty to educate ourselves on…
The Japanese are known for creating tiny efficient electronics and now they’ve refined the small home with the ultra-small home. Forget the fact that Fuyuhito Moriya is 39 and still lives with his mother. He’s taken small space living…
We’ve got news from Viola Park which is now offering countertop packages designed to work in tandem with its base units, that they hope helps simplify the process of buying a kitchen. This eliminates the need for templating or…
Kitchen and bath company Native Trails has a new line of hand crafted, artisan products made with FSC certified wood and recycled copper. Sustainability is a large part of the Native Trails philosophy and products are made with LEED…
Hoping to start a revolution in drywall, the Certainteed AirRenew gypsum board cleans the air by capturing indoor formaldehydes and other aldehydes and converts them into inert compounds that remain within the board. The drywall also includes M2Tech, a…
If you follow along with DIY blog Young House Love, you’ll know that they have decided to move and are selling their home themselves. After three years of renovations, decoration, tweaks, and even adding a baby to the mix,…
Weekend projects from DIY bloggers around the web. Install a Moen Envi watersense showerhead Sort out your power plugs for safety Setup your urban garden Mastering caulk gun skills Install free-standing kitchen cabinets…
Did you know that the 13th annual America Recycles Day is coming up? According to Earth911.com, it’s “the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling programs in the U.S.” By visiting their website you can find…
Craigslist can be the virtual mecca for DIY enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for the perfect vintage dresser, discount kitchen cabinets, or gently used children’s wares, the free online classified posting site is ripe with deals to be had and…
The Telegraph raises an interesting point that we continue to hear whispers of each year. Are current 20-30 year olds less capable as do-it-yourselfers than their fathers? One could argue the modern man has many more resources to turn…
Have bedbugs impacted your favorite pastime of rummaging through used items? We love a great thrift store find as much as the next person. The thrill of the hunt, the rush of adrenaline when you find that “perfect” item,…
You know the ubiquitous pink fiberglass insulation? That’s Owens Corning and although everyone continues to seek out a better and more green insulation, fiberglass insulation isn’t going away anytime soon. Owens Corning isn’t sitting on their laurels as they…
Home Depot is offering free shipping on Christmas and holiday decor so load up your (online) shopping carts and save some money while getting everything you need to decorate this Christmas delivered right to your doorstep. Free Shipping on…
Last year, we featured some nice photos from one of the winners of the myMarvin Architect’s Challenge. This year’s crop of winners is equally as impressive. Ten outstanding architects from across the United States had their work honored as…
With Halloween barely behind us, it’s hard to imagine the holiday season being around the corner. However, as retailers advertise Black Friday sales and grocery stores closing out their turkey order lists, you’d better believe ’tis the season indeed.…
The most underrated tool in the DeWALT 12V MAX cordless lineup is the DeWALT DCL510 12V MAX LED Worklight. We’ve been using it for about 3 months now and here’s why we love it. Hits: lightweight, free-standing, 12V MAX…
HUD recently contacted us and wanted to share some videos they produced that they feel will help prospective home buyers with their home shopping experience. The videos are a bit dry but informative and get to the point. Watch…
We trust your clocks are now one hour behind (the extra sleep is glorious, the early darkness is not!) Daylight Saving Time is also the ideal time of year to swap out the batteries in your smoke detectors —…
It’s an obscure tool that really deserves some time in the limelight. A wet tile saw has a unique purpose that is incredibly valuable when working with ceramic tiles. Whether it’s a back splash, flooring, wall tiles or counter…
What’s the hardest part of a project? For some the toughest obstacle can be just getting started. We want to know where you seek DIY inspiration and in what form? Magazines? Books? Websites? Blogs? Stores? Please share with us…
It probably doesn’t need to be said but without proper illumination you’re basically in the dark. And all portable lights aren’t ideal for all jobs. So if you need to cast a quite a bit of light consider blasting…
If you’re serious about conserving energy and making sure your home is performing as well as it can, then consider a home energy audit. A few of our blogger friends are going through the home energy audit process and…
Regardless of where you stand politically, we think everyone can agree that campaign yard signs are an eyesore, especially after election day. They remain long after the ballots have been counted, sometimes lasting until spring elections. They get dirty…
Going green has never been so stylish thanks to Hover Houses, created by Glen Irani Architects. The third in the series (pictured above), built on the Venice Canals in Los Angeles, continues a trend of “maximizing outdoor living environments…
Are you looking to give your shutters, doors or wooden furniture a timeworn, antique look? Pass over those “crackle” paints that promise fancy results and give off chemicals with even fancier names. Try milk paint for a green alternative…
ReadyMade Magazine recently announced a big contest called the ReadyMade 100. This ambitious contest is seeking to celebrate the best 100 projects from around the world of DIY. They’re calling on the DIY community to submit their most “functional,…
Designing your kitchen space can seem overwhelming at times, especially in the beginning stages. You can save A LOT of time, stress and angst if you hire a kitchen professional that works in this field of design. Once you…
Getting to know your neighbors. can be one of the simplest ways to keep your home safe and secure. But what happens when your neighbors aren’t willing to cooperate? That photo is of my backyard, which shares a fence…
Bosch has introduced an update to their venerable break hammers with the new Brute Breaker Hammer. It promises to provide up to 60 percent more impact energy than the the previous model, while reducing vibration levels by up to…
Temperatures are falling quickly and before you blink the first winter storm will hit your home. Before that happens you need to take steps to ensure your home is properly winterized and that starts with making your home energy…
This week’s Giveaway is only for our Facebook friends so head over to our Facebook page and look for the Home Depot Gift Card photo and “Comment” and “Like” the photo for a chance to win the $100 Gift…
Oh, the holidays — such a magical time of year! And unfortunately, the latter half of November and December generally see a rise in home burglaries as a result of more people traveling out of town and the temptation…
With many people downsizing their homes in order to save money and/or the planet, giving up square footage means making the most of the space you have. As someone who lives in a 1,250-square-foot house with my family of…
KILZ has introduced a zero-voc interior/exterior primer, sealer and stainblocker called KILZ Clean Start. It’s also low odor and and water based and cleans easily with soap and water. If you plan on re-painting a wall you should definitely…
There’s a real-life green building trend coming to life in the Miami Valley. A brand-new local green construction company, Generation Green Building, is in the process of constructing Ohio’s first Passive House. According to the website, The Yellow Springs…
Water on the outside of your pipes is always a bad sign. But before you dread a sizable plumbing bill or dig out your soldering kit, think about this – you may have sweating pipes instead of leaking pipes.…