2010 has been a whirlwind at Charles & Hudson. We kicked off the year at the Builder’s Show and also attended the National Hardware Show and Greenbuild Expo. But our favorite events of the year were presented by retailers…
Monthly Archives:
December 2010
A hot, steamy shower on a cold morning — it’s one of life’s little pleasures, right? Yet there is a downside to the at-home indulgence. Excess moisture created by the steam can wreak havoc on your bathroom, warping wood…
Beyond the magnificent temples and shrines of Kyoto, Japan, you’ll find the headquarters of Kyoto Tools (KTC). They are the premier tool company in Japan and their quality is world renown. KTC was founded in 1950 by three craftsman…
If you have a fireplace, you’re probably used to saving stacks of old newspaper to use as kindling. With a couple of days and a handful of materials, you can also transform newspaper into a fireplace log that can…
Are you shopping for the ultimate work truck? The options on light-duty trucks keep growing to include increased comfort, power, and fuel-efficiency. We don’t hide our love for our 2001 F-150 which is still going strong but the 2011…
The Northeast is digging out today from record snowfall and people are putting their snowblowers and snow shovels back in action. Here are some tips for digging out from the snow safely and what to do in case you…
We’ve been avid fans of green building blog Jetson Green for a few years and it’s been great to see the site grow in popularity and influence. Founder, Preston Koerner, has always maintained a unique editorial voice that may…
Now that Christmas has come and gone, you might have a shiny new electronics gadget — and an old one that’s in need of disposal. Instead of tossing it in the trash, consider one of several recycling options. The…
Wishing you all good cheer this holiday season…
We recently returned from a few days in Japan visiting Tokyo, Kyoto and few towns in between. As steeped in tradition Japan is, they are also very progressive on some fronts and one of them is recycling. There must…
You have your plans all set for your next DIY project — tools borrowed, paint purchased, time set aside — and tragedy strikes. You hurt yourself, and not in a way that some hydrogen peroxide and a Band-Aid can…
Automatic floodlights are one of the best investments for home security as they’re active 24/7 and cost very little to install and maintain. Home Depot offers a few options in the PAR38 standard floodlight size from Halogens, CFL’s and…
Yep, you read that right — for just over $1,200, a hand-powered table saw can be yours! The Jointmaker Pro v2, created by Bridge City Toolworks, “is a hybrid device, a hand saw that employs custom Japanese saw blades…
One of the greatest things about DIY projects in your homes is that rooms are a blank canvas. Sure, there are some practical considerations to keep in mind, such as budget, skill, time, etc., but when faced with redoing…
Believe it or not, the kitchen is one of the safest places in which to store valuables while you’re away from home. According to a post by Lifehacker, the kitchen is often overlooked in favor of other rooms such…
A coat of paint here, a new faucet there — minor home improvement projects are relatively easy to tackle. But what about the big stuff? Maybe you want to install hardwood floors, or replace/update your kitchen cabinets, or re-tile…
We’ve arrived at one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. While you’re off enjoying a healthy dose of holiday merriment, take heed of some of our favorite home security tips to give you the peace of mind…
Although the troubled economy has curtailed many homeowners’ major renovation projects, that doesn’t mean remodeling work has come to a complete halt. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry released the results of a poll sent to top builders…
Just as vintage clothes can inject a dose of retro glamour into your wardrobe, vintage home furnishings, appliances and other items add a dose of timeless appeal to your interior. In the kitchen, vintage metal cabinets can be a…
Motion detectors are a popular choice for homeowners seeking additional security. They can be installed in a number of places, including throughout the exterior of your home to active floodlights. And thanks to improved technology, many motion detectors are…
If you have a multi-level house, chances are you’ll encounter the most common type of ceiling issue: drywall damage courtesy of water leaks. This problem has a number of causes, including water from an upstairs bathroom that overflows and…
Need a new furnace? Now is definitely the time to buy. An energy tax credit that gives a credit worth up to $1,500 for upgrading to an energy-efficient furnace expires on Dec. 31. Other energy-saving equipment is also eligible…
In most parts of the country, the threat of pests has diminished thanks to frigid temperatures and inhospitable weather conditions. Yet carpenter ants, one of the most destructive pests, can still strike, especially in warmer parts of the country,…
The new year is nearly upon us, and that means trend forecasts are being released on an almost daily basis. If you’re planning to update your kitchen in 2011, you may want to consider some of these current trends…
Yearning for seclusion? Don’t mind relocating to western Montana? Then we’ve got a deal for you! A piece of land once owned by Ted Kaczynski (better known as the Unabomber) is available for $69,500, a real steal since the…
Even if you aren’t doing the job yourself, you should take steps to prepare your home and household before a major renovation begins. Once contractors start running around your home and the demo starts, it’s often too late to…
Although we discussed how to prepare for an ice storm at the end of last week, an event in Kansas City this weekend reminded us that you simply can’t plan for freak accidents. After surpassing the 50-degree mark on…
Earlier this week, we tested the stain-fighting powers of The Home Depot’s Platinum Plus carpet. Next up? Martha Stewart Living carpet, available in 36 designs and four constructions. Martha Stewart’s products are known for being classy yet functional, and…
Given the endless amounts of CD-ROMs in the world today there is probably no reason ever to actually buy a set of coasters again. But the shinny discs have a couple of problems. First, these tend to stick to…
During the busy holiday season, you’re more than likely to find yourself entertaining at some point. But rather than struggling with some of the various side effects of playing host or hostess, we have some quirky tips on ways…
Pantone just revealed their Color of The Year for 2011 — Honeysuckle Pink. Per their press release: “While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday…
We recently discovered that there are few things more fun that getting to purposefully dump a bunch of liquids on an unsuspecting carpet sample. Home Depot sent us a couple of carpet swatches, each of which boasts stain-fighting technology,…
We wanted this project to have a bit of a Hi/Low feel to it and nothing says classy better than gold! This project has been entered into the ReadyMade 100 contest so if you like it please visit ReadyMade…
Tis’ the season for Craftsman tools! This holiday Giveaway is a bundle of joy for tool lovers and all of it could be yours, or if you win keep one and gift the rest. On December 25th, 2010 we…
These prefab getaways are easy to setup and eco-friendly.…
With the continued popularity of smart phones and tablets, it seems like there’s a new app every few days. The latest must-have download? The GE Mood Lighting Cam app, a clever invention from the renowned lighting company. Snap a…
The Makers The guys from hackerspace Pumping Station One built some DIY snowglobes and holiday bots. Our expectations were high for what these guys would create and for some reason we were expecting holiday bots and snowglobes on a…
File this one under creative genius! Nashville resident and artist Matt Glassmeyer found a way to use 350 vinyl records — attaching them to a roof in place of shingles. Conflicting Internet reports claimed that Glassmeyer’s record roof had…
During our time in Chicago for the Craftsman Experience Holiday Extravaganza, we had the pleasure to stay at the Hotel Felix in downtown Chicago. The Hotel Felix is Chicago’s first hotel designed to meet Silver LEED certification. During construction…
Taking a break from your home renovation isn’t a bad thing. If you’re at a stopping point before starting other major projects, you may just want to take a few weeks to stop, slow down, and enjoy the progress…
With the conditions of real estate today it remains very much a “buyer’s market,” yet that doesn’t mean it is easy to actually be a buyer. But Long & Foster Real Estate, the largest independently-held residential real estate firm…
As part of the Craftsman Experience Holiday Extravaganza, they invited the Chicago hackerspace, Pumping Station: One to participate and build some holiday projects like snow globes powered by Craftsman orbital sanders and hand-held fans as well as a holiday…
So you have a dilemma. You want to paint a wall, or a piece of furniture. Yet your painting aspirations are currently blocked by a pesky layer of existing paint that won’t budge. The solution might just be the…
The Craftsman Experience is kicking off their holiday season this weekend and last night we had an opportunity to present the Ultimate Sleigh built by John Lamonica and his team at the Butler Street Foundry with some help from…
The Internet experience is becoming increasingly mobile, thanks to a proliferation of browser-enabled smart phones and tablets like the iPad. Although Home Depot has had an iPhone and iPad app for some time, the company recently redeveloped the application…
Bosch has an update to their compact impact driver with this 12V Max Lithium Ion Impact Driver (Model PS41-2A). It delivers more torque and higher RPM than the previous model but weights .2 lbs less at 2lbs. We like…
Do you have an extra $2 million laying around? Then you could be the owner of a sprawling Frank Lloyd Wright home in Los Banos, Calif. Known as the Fawcett House, the six-bedroom home rests on 80 acres of…
In today’s downturned economy, it can seem nearly impossible to find somewhere to live where there are jobs, affordable housing, and banks willing to approve a loan. If you’re not lucky enough to live in one of the most…
To describe the recent real estate market as shaky is a vast understatement. Yet, despite the economic rollercoaster, the simple truth is that people are still moving and are still seeking homes. Although it’s certainly a sellers’ market out…
We’ve had our Flip Ultra HD video camera for about two months now and have honestly thoroughly enjoyed it. We don’t often review electronics but we’re so impressed with this unit that we wanted to share our findings. We…
With wallpaper becoming all the rage in home decor circles, you can often find yourself stressing about details you may never have considered before. You may want to wallpaper a space with uneven walls. You may want to make…
A home’s entryway can be an incredibly flexible space — and depending on your home, the size and shape can vary widely. Yet whether you have a nook or a sizable space, we’ve got some tips and tricks for…
The latest tool in the Craftsman NEXTEC line is the Right Angle Impact Driver. This is a fairly new category of cordless power tools and the Craftsman model is a definite stand out compared to some of the other…
Some of us homeowners are lucky to have space on our 1st floor to have a designated laundry room. Even if your laundry room is in your dungeon (Oh, I mean basement) you can incorporate these thoughts into your…
If a coffee maker can be sexy then the Bodum Santos is the one. Perhaps its the smooth hour glass shape or the delicate handle and top, whatever it is, Bodum has designed an incredible looking coffee maker. Our…
A reader recently informed us of the positive experiences they’ve had with multiple broken appliances because they were properly covered with appliance insurance from AHS. This isn’t an ad for AHS (American Home Shield) but because these homeowners were…
There are so many things wrong (or right) about this photo. We want to see your best captions in the comments below and the winner will receive a $50 Home Depot gift card. The rules are simple: 1. Enter…
The Cash for Appliances program that launched this year is still available in many states. It’s been up to individual states to dole out this stimulus money and some funds have already run dry but for many of you…
Yes, we said it — the dreaded s-word! As snow begins to fall in parts of the country, it’s time to think about stocking up on winter supplies and that most dreaded of chores — shoveling snow! Shoveling snow…
Here at Charles & Hudson, we’re all about conserving energy — and saving money, too! Depending on your home’s heating source, bills can skyrocket during the winter months, especially if you live in parts of the country that feel…