tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52971865371595688122024-03-13T09:01:19.693-07:00The Dusty HammerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-51471229906538217202011-01-18T07:56:00.000-08:002011-01-24T11:50:27.167-08:00Grout Restoration<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;">Grout restoration is a task that most first time bath renovators’ dread. Cracking, discolored, or stained grout full of dirt and mildew can leave almost any homeowner in despair – we've even known a few to consider moving so as to avoid it. Unfortunately, no matter what you've heard, reasoning with it </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;">will not make it go away, nor is there a Mildew Fairy who can magically make all your tiling problems disappear … there are however some things you can do that, almost almost as good as magic, will make your grout gleam like new again.</span><br />
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<b style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">What is Grout?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Grout comes from the old English word Grut meaning “mud.” Grout is an underappreciated, and oft times under-maintained (is that even a word?) element of a bathroom (or kitchen) décor. You will more than likely never find yourself in someone’s house admiring their grout lines (unless, of course, they recently had to replace it and have dragged you over to brag) on the other hand, an otherwise pleasant bathroom can be gain significant icky points with unsightly stained, mildewed or moldy grout. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Though there are a few exceptions (the significantly more expensive epoxy resin based grout, for example), generally speaking grout is a simple recipe of Portland cement and colorant. This concrete like porous material not only adds strength to tiled surfaces but also subtly enhances (or significantly detracts from) the beauty of your tile facade. Grout is typically classified in two distinct types “Sanded” (the most common) and “Un-sanded.” As you may well guess the principle difference between the two is… well, sand. Sand in the mix increases the grout’s strength (like pebbles mixed into the concrete for sidewalks) and reduces the likelihood the grout will shrink and crack when cured. The sand however, also increases the bulk of the grout – which is why unsanded grout is used for thin grout lines too small for sanded grout to get into. Because unsanded has no sand, the problem with shrinking (and therefore cracking and pitting) is higher. Unsanded grout should only be used in grout lines SMALLER 1/8” (trust us, we’ve had to remove and replace more than enough unsanded grout from grout lines because of issues stemming from shrinking – even if the manufacturer’s say it’s okay for 1/8”, you don’t want to have to replace your brand new grout just days after you put it in… better safe than sorry). <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Because of grout’s porous nature, if it is not properly sealed and maintained it WILL turn from appealing to atrocious in fairly short order<span class="apple-style-span">. Not only is unsealed grout much more likely to retain dirt and grime, without a protective sealant coat it becomes a haven for the mold and mildew looking to set up residence in your damp shower stall. Given the opportunity, these little spores quickly find a home in the microscopic nooks and crannies of your grout lines and, before you know it, your shower stall has gone from gleaming to gross. Mold and mildew range in color from a sickly orange-pink, to mottled brown, to speckled or even solid black. </span>We may turn up our nose and associate such “severe” problems with disreputable establishments, but the truth is, bathrooms suffering from grout issues are common remodeling issues and are far from confined to motels of ill repute. If you have recently pulled back your shower curtain and realized that you’re not the only one that could use a little freshening up, this blog is for you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Seal That Stuff!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">An old adage reminds us that “prevention is better than cure.” These words of wisdom ring true whether you are discussing matters of health or grout restoration (stickers and lollipops for being good at the doc’s office aside). If you have newly or recently installed tile (or can’t remember when or if your tile was sealed) you owe it to yourself to properly protect your tiled surfaces from the grime and other things that make you go “eww.” Sealant can be purchased at most hardware or flooring stores and applied in just a few minutes with a clean rag. As a general rule sealant should be applied about once a year – in very heavily used areas you may want to re-apply more frequently. <span class="apple-style-span">Sealant does NOT waterproof the grout – don’t expect it to keep water from seeping through cracked grout lines – nor does it clean the grout for you. Before you apply the stuff spend a few minutes ensuring your grout lines are nice and clean and free of cracks and/or missing pieces. Sealant simply prevents the little ickies from getting a foothold. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Sometimes a “cure” becomes necessary – not every problem that may arise can be prevented (even those who have regular checkups can sometimes get sick). But despair not fellow hammerheads, it may not be as bad as you think, and even if it is… it’s probably not as bad as you think. More often than not a good cleanser and some elbow grease is all that is required to bring back your old grout’s luster. Other times you can offset the signs of your grout’s age by re-coloring it –restoring its vibrancy and adding a breath of fresh air to the entire room. Unfortunately, in the interest of full disclosure, there are times when the best remedy is to tear the old stuff out and replace it with new. This should be a last resort option <em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">(perhaps even behind hiding under the sink in hopes of catching the Mildew Fairy on the off chance we were wrong about her existence).</span></em> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<em style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-style: normal;">Clean it up</span></u></b></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Before you jump right into your “restoration” process we fist need to properly evaluate the extent of the damage. To do this the area must be thoroughly </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">cleaned. This includes both tile and grouted surfaces. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">There are several options – from simple cleansers, to industrial strength strippers, to homemade remedies that can aid in this process. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Tile and Grout Cleansers<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
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<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Oxygen Bleach<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Oxygen bleach is our preferred cleansing method. It’s simple, effective, and safe for people, pets, and the environment (unlike its chlorine based counterpart which, although also an effective cleanser, poses significantly higher risks to the user and the environment, not to mention any fabrics that come in contact with it). Oxygen bleaches </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">come in either a powder form or a liquid (hydrogen peroxide). As the name implies, it uses oxygen to do the “dirty work,” or rather oxygen molecules. <span class="apple-style-span">Powdered bleaches are made by treating natural soda ash or natural borax with hydrogen peroxide. These materials can absorb the oxygen while remaining free flowing solids. Upon dissolving in water, they release the oxygen. The released oxygen molecules then go out “like a cruise missile,” as one site refers them to, and attacks the stain. What actually happens has less to do with military arsenals than it does with molecular science. The freed oxygen molecule attaches to the molecules of the stain. </span>This changes the molecular structure of said stain so that it either has no color or else reflects color outside the visible spectrum, and walla you’ve cleaned your grout with oxygen. The original material (now without an extra oxygen molecule) becomes little more than water (in the case of hydrogen peroxide, or water and soda ash if it was a powdered mix).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">As powerful as these little free oxygen molecules are, they do have their limitations. Only surface stains, stains that have not yet penetrated the material, are affected (that’s why they don't bleach dyed clothes). Grime and mildew that are left long enough can set, meaning they may be beyond the reach of our friendly oxygen bleach. So it pays to get rid of the problem as soon as possible. More often than not however the dirt and such is only surface grime. If the first application doesn’t remove all the discoloration don’t despair, it is not uncommon to need multiple applications to completely restore your grout’s luster (remember, there are a lot of little nooks and crannies for the gunk to hide in) <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">When shopping for oxygen bleaches, search out ones that contain the highest amount of active ingredient as allowed by law. Generally speaking these higher quality bleaches are manufactured in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> (Beware of lesser quality bleaches which often contain vast amounts of filler that do nothing but take up space in the bottle). Inferior bleaching products are easy to spot because they are priced far below quality ones. Our recommendation is to buy the best cleanser you can. You’ll thank yourself later. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
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<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Acid Based Cleansers<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Acidic cleaners work by etching (removing) thin layers of grout. The acids remove the layer(s) that are gunked up thus restoring the grout to "original" pristine condition. These i</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">ndustrial strength chemicals are best suited for bathrooms where significant mold or mildew is present. They can make quick work of cleaning tiled surfaces but come with some considerable draw backs, not the least of which is the safety issues involved with using and properly storing them. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Additionally, care must be taken to neutralize the chemical reaction or the acids will continue to eat away at the grout. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">The very reason these cleansers are so effective at eradicating grout problems is the very reason why, if you are not careful to take the proper safety precautions, your weekend project could wind up making you really sick. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">ALWAYS follow the manufacturer warnings and safety labels marked on the containers – make sure to wear the proper safety gear and ventilate the area as best you can. </span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Homemade Recipes<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Homemade concoctions make use of products you probably already have around the house. In our experience few of these are more than moderately effective. A favorite seems to be vinegar and baking soda. While admittedly it makes a pretty cool bubbling effect we’ve never had much success using it to clean grout.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Keep in mind that even homemade concoctions are not meant to be ingested – just because you make it with products from the pantry does not mean you need to be any less vigilant in the way you store or use these products. Always keep cleansers and other chemicals safely out of reach of children and keep away from your eyes, mouth, and/or breathing them. Also, be extremely cautious of recipes that call for mixing different chemicals some fumes can be toxic and can be fatal. </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Whatever option you choose remember PROTECTIVE GEAR, including proper attire, gloves and mask to prevent inhaling the chemicals or burning your skin through prolonged exposure. Once you have applied these chemicals allow a few hours to pass then evaluate whether you need another application of cleanser and what, if any, additional steps may need to be taken. It may do you some good to give it a few days before making your final decision on the grout. It takes time for the chemicals to penetrate sufficiently deep to erase the effects of discoloration and mildew. Sometimes a couple extra days with the chemicals doing their job quietly in the background removes the final traces of the unwelcome shower guests. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Refreshing Color</span></u></strong><br />
<span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The colorant in grout naturally fades over time. This process is accelerated with the presence of mildew or mold. Once your grout is clean you may find the color you remember has faded and is in need of a little touch-up. Providing your grout is not cracked, but merely discolored, a good option is applying a grout dye. Coloring your grout is an easy grout restoration process. Quite honestly it works better on sanded than unsanded grout, but there are several products that claim to work well on either. Grout stains are available through your local hardware store or flooring outlet as well as online. You will generally have to choose a shade slightly darker than your current color - it's much more difficult to go lighter as the original color will almost always bleed through. With this in mind, go wild – you’ll be surprised how much different the space looks with even a slightly different color. A good rule of thumb is to pick a color that is present but not prominent in your tile. The color of the grout will bring this color out and give new life to the bathroom. </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">As with any color application product, before you go smearing your chosen color all over your grout it's a good idea to test it in a small unnoticeable area (a good concealable spot is around the faucet or handles). Follow the directions on the packaging but be sure to mask any areas you don’t want colored especially if you have semi-porous tile.</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">It's Come Down to This</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">If you’ve come to this point you’ve probably recently finished cussing at your grout as you've realized the extent of the damage and what that means for your weekend. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Sometimes the best thing to do is remove the grout and begin anew. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Removing grout can be a labor intensive project - don't forget to take breaks and drink water. The tools you will need include a utility knife, dust mask, eye protection, a vacuum (preferably a shop vac) and several hours to do your work - if possible, seriously consider investing in an oscillating saw and a grout removal blade. . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">• Remove grout from thin seams with a utility knife. Keep a stack of blades available to change as needed. Because thinner lines are typically unsanded they are usually easier to remove than their sanded counterpart, but that does not mean the grout won’t be stubborn. Have a mallet handy to help if needed in the process. Wider seams will require a grout removal tool. If you are doing it by hand you will want to pick up a grout saw (a small hand tool with carbide "sand paper" on the end), bear in mind, unless the area you are re-grouting is very small you will more than likely need to dedicate more than one weekend to the project. To speed up the process, we recommend investing in a power tool. Several choices are available, most work well at decreasing the time you spend hating your grout. The price points range from fairly inexpensive to practically exorbitant. Our preference falls somewhere in the middle. We’ve found good success with the reliable Dremel brand (A Dremel multi-max with a carbide grout blade makes quick work of the project – plus there is a variety of uses you can get out of this tool post grout removal). For about a third the price of the Dremel you can pick up an oscillating saw at Harbor Freight and a diamond grit grout blade. It's not the highest quality tool but it still manages to do a very respectable job for significantly fewer bills. We have even seen grout removal blades for use with a reciprocating saw. We haven't used these, but in our opinion a reciprocating saw outfitted for the job would greatly increase your chances of marring your tile should the saw skip. </span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">What ever your choice, if you are using a power tool for grout removal, you will need to wear a mask and eye protection – it can be a very dusty process and you don't want a stray piece to kick up in your eye. Whatever method you choose, you need to remove all or most of the grout. Remember: you aren’t just scraping the grout you are removing it, or at least enough to ensure a good adhesion for the new grout. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">• After the old grout has been removed clean the grout lines with a vacuum. Check to ensure that all bits and pieces of grout have been removed before you apply the new stuff.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">• Mix your grout. There are pre-mixed grouts available but they just don’t hold up as well as the mix-it-yourself option. The pre-mixed formulas also include an acrylic additive which makes it harder to work with. Also, there are areas where pre-mixes are not suited for (ie your shower floor – the shower will actually wash the grout right out of the lines). Go with the powdered mix and a bucket. Don some rubber gloves add the recommended water and mix it like a mud pie. You can purchase mixing blades but we found it easier to mix by hand (do not try this without gloves unless you like EXTREMELY dry hands for a week). You can then use your hands and the rubber gloves in lieu of a grout float. Whether you decide to mix it with a paddle or your hands rubber gloves are a good idea (Why risk messing up the new manicure)?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">• Apply the new grout using a grout float (or your rubber glove clad hands). You will also need a bucket of water and a sponge to wipe away the excess grout and a clean rag. Use the correct type of grout – unsanded should only be used on grout lines THINNER than 1/8”, use sanded for everything else (yes, including polished stone). DO NOT leave excess grout sitting on tile to cure. Wipe the tile down as you go, changing the water as needed. After you have finished wiping everything down wait a few hours then wipe the haze off with a clean rag. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">• Allow the area to dry. Grout cures harder if it is allowed to dry slowly. Drying slower also reduces cracking. We prefer to cover the wet grout with plastic to allow the moisture to slowly evaporate over the course of a few days. Depending on your location you may not need to do this. Once the grout has dried, seal it with the proper sealant. You’re all done. Remember to reseal the grout at least annually – you probably don’t want to have to go through this again. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Happy Remodeling<o:p></o:p></span></span> <span style="color: silver; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-78789781430635942132011-01-12T11:42:00.000-08:002011-01-12T11:58:42.570-08:00Friends, You've Just Been Upgraded!<div class="MsoNormal">We know it’s been a while since our last communiqué, but we haven't forgotten you... in fact we have been busily working on a new project in YOUR honor. It's not so much a remodeling project as it is... well, it's more like an upgrade. During one of the functions we attended over the holidays we heard that all the really cool websites give people who follow their site or use their services (their fans, if you will) cute little names (i.e. people who employ one of the many Google products out there are… “Googlers,” folks who prefer to do their shopping on E-bay are… “E-bayers,” internet surfers who use the popular site Twitter are… “Twits,” (don’t blame us, we didn't choose the name) and everyone knows that those who catch up on the latest ongoings of anyone they've every known or met via Facebook are… well, those are just stalkers - we're only kidding FB... please don’t shorten our friends list!). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since we’re hoping to one day have a movie made about our meteoric rise to cyber stardom, we figured we better start preparing now and get on the name calling bandwagon before all the "good" ones are taken up. So after much deliberation (and an intense game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors”) we've finally come up with THE name. A title that will merit respect, an appellation that will be lauded, a moniker that will say to the world “Hey, I didn't accidentally type the wrong web address in, I came here on purpose!” And so we say to all our friends and fans out there, "Welcome... 'Hammer-heads'" (look on the bright side, you were a mere "Paper beats Rock" away from being “Dust-mites”). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming buttons, clip-art, and maybe a banner or two that you can print out to proclaim your upgraded status – then again, you can probably just as easily write “Proud to be a Hammer-head” on a fast food restaurant napkin in sharpie and tape it to your window (that’s pretty much all we were going to do anyways). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks for stopping by, you Hammer-heads you!<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-25334689363340771882010-12-28T12:54:00.000-08:002011-01-02T23:07:51.417-08:00Upcycling your Christmas Trash<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The final Christmas packages have been unwrapped, the last morsels have been emptied from their decorative cookie tins, and the bathroom scales have been safely hidden for at least another month. Now it’s time to take down the lights, put the living room back together, and give the sanitation department some overtime collecting the vestiges of our holiday gifting frenzy. But before you stuff all the Christmas "trash" into a sack and toss it by curb, consider “upcycling” some of those post consumer party products (no, we don’t mean the fruitcake). </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> <u1:p></u1:p> </span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Upcycling is the trendy way of saying “re-purpose your old stuff into new stuff.” In other words, forgo the recycling centers (or <gasp> the landfill) and make use of the items without the middle man. Since we at The Dusty Hammer are so forward thinking we thought what better way to ring in the New Year than to provide you our friends (yes both of you) this post holiday list of upcycling ideas for those Christmas remnants you've got lying around. Okay, you're right - we're not THAT "enlightened." We are however pretty good at taking credit for other people's bright ideas... as such we've tapped into the cerebral cortex of our friends at the E Advisor Blog (or their mainframe anyways) who have compiled an interesting collection of possible projects for your post consumer party products. Some of our favorites include: </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 0in 27.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">1.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/recycled-wine-bottle-crafts3.htm">Wine Bottle Plant Nanny</a></span></b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">: Worried about what the neighbors will think when you set two trash cans full of wine bottles out for garbage day? Instead of just tossing them, turn those empty liquor jugs into plant Nannies… that way you’re not the only thing your neighbors call “lush.”</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 0in 27.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial;"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">2</span></strong><strong><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">. <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-3D-Paper-Snowflake">3D Paper Snowflakes</a></span></strong><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">: Cuz Christmas doesn’t have a monopoly on winter décor and these are way cooler than the folded snowflakes you made in grade school.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 0in 27.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">3.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><strong><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><a href="http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-card-luminaries.html">Christmas Card Luminaries</a></span></strong><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">: A beautiful way to enjoy those pretty cards again and again and shed some decorative light on your next year's holiday festivities.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 0in 27.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial;"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">4. </span></strong><strong><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><a href="http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/12/25/recycle-your-used-wrapping-paper-into-special-thank-you-cards/">Thank You Card</a></span></strong><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">: You want them to send you gifts next year, don't you?!</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 0in 27.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">5.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><strong><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><a href="http://jennyharada.com/fun-diy-christmas_card_star.html">3D Card Star</a></span></strong><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">: A great tree-topper project for next year’s Tannenbaum (or just to impress the neighbors with your mad origami skills).</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 0in 27.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">6.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><strong><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><a href="http://dustyhammer.blogspot.com/2010/12/upcycling-your-christmas-trash.html">Reuse It</a></span></strong><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">: Okay, gift bags yes, but if you're like us and subscribe to the "rip it open as fast as you can" method… you're probably better off sticking with one of the other options listed above. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: 10pt;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1865977613"> </a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 0in 27.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">7.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><strong><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><a href="http://www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php">Mail Used Greeting Cards to St. Jude's Ranch for Children</a></span></strong><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">: If crafts aren't your thing you can still make good use of those old cards by donating them to St. Jude's Recycled Card Program. This great program not only turns old cards into new ones but helps benefit the important work St. Jude’s does for terminally ill children. Going green and helping kids, now what could be better?</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.toponlinecolleges.com/blog/2010/40-awesome-upcycling-ideas-for-your-post-holiday-garbage/">Click here to read more upcycling ideas for your Christmas "junk."</a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-71911503681462152692010-12-14T11:15:00.000-08:002010-12-14T18:48:54.543-08:00The Holiday Decorating Toolbox<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-size: 15px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFssCzTlYzVdQGzO1MOKuaZ5UF-iSP820VVE9c0yw7NhQqBiurUOjfY5_z-IsM-avTRpxprYYNuReqpiq6Hh3bgcusrMgCXjiWDwkoWd2A67scPrFCyi6JuaZ2PKAfDT2YNwiHEsBdpM/s1600/Christmas+Lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFssCzTlYzVdQGzO1MOKuaZ5UF-iSP820VVE9c0yw7NhQqBiurUOjfY5_z-IsM-avTRpxprYYNuReqpiq6Hh3bgcusrMgCXjiWDwkoWd2A67scPrFCyi6JuaZ2PKAfDT2YNwiHEsBdpM/s320/Christmas+Lights.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Dusty Hammer LOVES Christmas! The smells, the sounds, the sights, we love it all... that is until we have to shimmy up a precariously balanced ladder in order to proclaim our holiday cheer in twinkling incandescent miniature lights. You know the drill: trudge out to the garage, climb into the attic, rearrange everything stored up there in order to get to the lights (which somehow always wind up all the way in the back), lug the ladder around to the front of the house, climb to the top of said ladder and then… begin cussing like Yosemite Sam as you search in vain for the tool you swear you just had but can’t seem to find anywhere! When you finally finish the traditional decorating and swearing you say to yourself, “there’s got to be a better way.” Well friends, there is (no it doesn’t require paying the neighbor kid to do it for you – although that may not be a bad option…). Put together a <st1:place w:st="on">Holiday</st1:place> decorating toolbox for yourself. By keeping all the important “tools” close at hand you can speed up the frost bitten lighting ceremony and bring back the holiday cheer to your decorating activities. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Toolboxes are great! We use them for just about everything… we’ve got a dedicated toolbox with a load of electrical tools, one to satisfy plumbing needs, there’s a toolbox for tile and drywall work, and even one for miscellaneous demolition tools… But it wasn’t until a few years ago while laying flat on my back staring up at the roof that moments ago I had been searching for my misplaced stapler (which coincidentally was laying next to me - right where I had left it at the bottom of the ladder) that inspiration hit me (or more aptly – I hit it) and I realized how handy a Holiday decorating toolbox would be<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">First let’s start off with the box itself – there about a bazillion options, but honestly most of these “options” add little value to the toolbox and can even make it less user friendly. We prefer the ol’ tried and true variety - you know the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Consumer-Storage-020300R-Professional/dp/B000Q5PGDK?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">standard rectangle shape toolbox</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000Q5PGDK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> with latches that open the lid – over the fancier versions with little storage compartments on the outside. Inside our <st1:place w:st="on">Holiday</st1:place> decorating toolbox is a small removable compartment for storage of the smaller items, and ample space for the bigger stuff in the bottom. (All those tiny external see through cubbies look handy on the store shelf, but in practice they typically aren’t worth the cheap plastic they are made from and, far too often, the cubbies are broken after a few uses anyways. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">An important element of any good Holiday decorating toolbox is portability – as cool and indestructible as those metal toolboxes may be remember: we have to haul this bad boy up a ladder, which is why we like the lighter high density plastic versions over the prettier (and heavier) diamond plated ones. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Now that you’ve got a good toolbox to store your merry decorating kit you can begin outfitting it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">There are several “specialty items” that will make decorating much faster and more fun:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Monofilament<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">First toss in a couple spools of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw%C2%AE-Monofilament-Line-Clear/dp/B000ALC9QM?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">monofilament</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000ALC9QM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> – a fancy word for fishing line. Get yourself a couple of spools (one in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw%C2%AE-Monofilament-Line-Clear/dp/B000ALC9QM?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">20 lb</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000ALC9QM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and one <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maurice-Sporting-Goods-M1450-Fishing/dp/B001AXF31M?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">50 lb</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001AXF31M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> test lines – which means essentially how much weight the line can hold). This is one of the best specialty “tools” you can have in your holiday decorating toolbox. Monofilament is great for retying icicle lights that have gone astray or to invisibly stake down various outdoor decorations such as a giant inflatable Frosty the Snowman. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Cable Ties</span></strong><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/52120-Cable-Plastic-Assorted-Sizes/dp/B002DNCW1C?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Cable Ties</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002DNCW1C" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> rock! There’s little mess, they go up easy and come down easy. They allow you to fix broken decorations, hold things together and so much more. There are literally thousands of uses for these handy little ties and you can rarely have too many. Consider purchasing a multi-size package, once you’ve used ‘em you’re sure to love ‘em.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Command Kits</span></strong><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/3M-Command-17379-Cord-Organizer/dp/B0000AQOHM?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Command Kits</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0000AQOHM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> are a 3M product that allows you to temporarily hang things from interior walls (some of them work the exterior as well) without marring. These versatile hooks have a special adhesive that holds fast to walls and releases with a gentle tug. No muss no fuss. </span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Must-Have-Tools and Accessories for the <st1:place w:st="on">Holiday</st1:place> Decorating Toolbox:</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-H6318-Dead-Hammer-Alloy/dp/B0007D2D4G?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><b>Dead Blow/Hammer combo</b></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0007D2D4G" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> – Because sometimes you need the finesse of a rubber mallet and sometimes you just need to pound the crap outta something!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Screw Drivers</b> - we prefer the convenience of a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Klein-32477-10-Screwdriver-Driver/dp/B0002RI5EY?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">multi head combo driver</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0002RI5EY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> which offers two sizes of both Philips and flat head and can be used as a wrench for common size nuts – you could also just throw in a large and small Philips and flat head screw driver if you prefer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Pliers </b>– Needle nose as well as regular<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Wire Cutters</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>A Handful of Misc. Nails and Screws</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> (in a variety of sizes) </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Landscape Staples</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>- great for anchoring decorations<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Duct Tape</b> - don’t think you have to be stuck with the original color…virtually any color is now available, there’s even <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Transparent-Duct-Tape-yards-Clear/dp/B001GX6GHG?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">clear duct tape</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001GX6GHG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> available (all the strength of the original none of the unsightly gray).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Electrical Tape</b> - for those moments when you come across a wire shield that has been worn a little thin<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/52120-Cable-Plastic-Assorted-Sizes/dp/B002DNCW1C?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><b>Cable Ties</b></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002DNCW1C" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/3M-Command-17379-Cord-Organizer/dp/B0000AQOHM?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><b>Command Kits</b></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0000AQOHM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw%C2%AE-Monofilament-Line-Clear/dp/B000ALC9QM?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><b>Monofilament</b></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000ALC9QM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Hanging Wire</b> (or heavy duty floral wire)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Velcro</b> - <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks</b> – You can take care of a whole slew of things with hot glue<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Super Glue</b> – what hot glue can’t - super glue will<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Small Can of Touch Up Paint & Brush</b> in your home’s exterior colors - for those oops moments<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Extra Light Bulbs</b> (Blinkers, C3, C7, C9 – and any other type you use in your décor ) – I always keep a good stock of replacement bulbs and fuses, you just never know. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-02356-05-Landscape-Extension/dp/B00004SQET?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><b>Green Extension Cords</b></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00004SQET" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> – 2 or 3 that are 40ft if you can (we also really like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/3-OUTLET-OUTDOOR-YARD-STAKE/dp/B001BRQFDW?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">outlet stakes</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001BRQFDW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for the outdoor electrical needs)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Woods-59204-Weather-Outdoor-Repeats/dp/B0014WRNNK?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><b>Outdoor timers</b></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0014WRNNK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> – optional<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><b><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Power Drill</span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">– though this isn’t a necessity it sure does make things a lot easier. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ours doesn’t go in the tool box because we use it so often but it is definitely a good tool to take with you on your next decorating adventure!</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Bonus Tips:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Be sure to remove those extra light bulbs and fuse packs from your string lights and outdoor décor. Add them to your toolbox so when you have to replace a bulb you can find them easily. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">For hanging decorative items (ie wreaths and such) on vinyl siding without voiding the warranty with a moisture inducing hole, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vinyl-Siding-Hooks-Hook-Shape/dp/B000X34WH6?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Siding Hooks</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000X34WH6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> are a good option. These specialty hooks are shaped pieces of stainless steel that slide up under the lip of the siding and lock into place using the sidings own channel. They don't mar, are easy to remove and are available at most hardware stores - especially during the holiday season. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Happy Decorating<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: grey; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-32224561011448233642010-12-10T22:00:00.000-08:002010-12-10T23:14:39.399-08:00Umm... TRON Licensed Designer Chairs?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wJEwuRXISo97PWdy2n6W-HONQbYPXvBliypG4aY8DETyCxiohvElgl1gPfwoWs-P3IyIZrslLYzApVBtL7MpI0ZpLwIQHcGiJFsuRjUXI9xFdDOe3sbvzlnGsiijZ_Fbqw62kYyKrPY/s1600/dzn_Tron-chair-by-Dror-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wJEwuRXISo97PWdy2n6W-HONQbYPXvBliypG4aY8DETyCxiohvElgl1gPfwoWs-P3IyIZrslLYzApVBtL7MpI0ZpLwIQHcGiJFsuRjUXI9xFdDOe3sbvzlnGsiijZ_Fbqw62kYyKrPY/s320/dzn_Tron-chair-by-Dror-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><u>TRON: Legacy</u> hits theaters next week and the Disney marketing execs have kicked the production of the officially licensed movie tie-ins into high gear. The latest addition to this arsenal of TRON inspired baubles employs the stylings of NY designer Dror Benshetrit for a high end chair targeted at those of us who still fondly recall the 80s computerized cult sensation and the subsequent TRON arcade games. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
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Unfortunately the $15,000 price tag wasn't enough to justify including that awesome digital glow effect. Still, even without the phosphorescent detailing<span class="apple-style-span"> the </span>TRON Armchair looks considerably more sculptural than functional (and about as tough on the posterior as the virtual world's landscape that inspired the design was on one of those cool computerized light-cycles). I wonder if there's a red leather recliner option. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-70761224329024109122010-12-08T12:39:00.000-08:002010-12-08T12:52:52.409-08:00Would You Like a Booth?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LBLtR2HTj8KlxMJBwtk-L7Xp0okSIIeVDm8dhhJSaRhLn_RiB71KVwGDjKrFVoZtx8Vi191-PknYiAkm9V5c1v9fLKcjHCfN26WsRIssp_JgDy3kY_NelxxYnwBK756_4DE_ntAKqJE/s1600/banquette2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LBLtR2HTj8KlxMJBwtk-L7Xp0okSIIeVDm8dhhJSaRhLn_RiB71KVwGDjKrFVoZtx8Vi191-PknYiAkm9V5c1v9fLKcjHCfN26WsRIssp_JgDy3kY_NelxxYnwBK756_4DE_ntAKqJE/s320/banquette2.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Recently the Dusty Hammer’s team of pariah bloggers were given a rare moment of respite to give our overtaxed minds a break from trying to come up with clever anecdotes for construction projects – plus we had used up all the cereal bowls and were resorting to pots and pans to eat our fruit loops out of.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Our brief taste of freedom took us to a local eatery where a pleasant young waitress asked the question that those who frequent restaurants have often pondered, “Would you like to wait for a booth?” As if the fate of the world hinged upon our decision, we deliberated (already knowing what our answer would be). Our heads lifted from our makeshift huddle as we answered “Of course,” in techie geek unison!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">What makes these upholstered nooks so desirable that many of us are, in fact, willing to wait for the coveted booth? And how is it able to be both a great location for casual meals as well as the perfect setting for intimate dining? Besides often being much easier on the posterior than the typical bistro chairs, a booth provides privacy (even in a crowded restaurant) and, more importantly, a feeling of closeness that’s hard to beat. Wanna bring that cozy feeling home - w<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">hat better way to fill the awkward narrow spot at the end of a room than to install your very own banquette?</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><strong>Brief History</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QbfV7TATgSQ3I-en80bMvwr4yTKTj_C3SMHSGX5SZA8w0rE8Xp8qqNj46n2mKx8l5Ytmj6CnXUkIZUH0icdf1ZrH8CxJ-cdv6LBPDcOwYXIC6d499JZd9khQPjj5PAvCI9vrYIYcj84/s1600/2362034246_fc45f3982f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QbfV7TATgSQ3I-en80bMvwr4yTKTj_C3SMHSGX5SZA8w0rE8Xp8qqNj46n2mKx8l5Ytmj6CnXUkIZUH0icdf1ZrH8CxJ-cdv6LBPDcOwYXIC6d499JZd9khQPjj5PAvCI9vrYIYcj84/s200/2362034246_fc45f3982f.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">The beginnings of banquettes can be traced back to early 17<sup>th</sup> century French royalty where the well-to-do could park their imperial keisters on the plushly upholstered <strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;">window seats </span></strong>in their formal sitting rooms. By the 1900s the derriere friendly benches had made their way to the homes of “the common man” who used them for a comfortable, space saving seating solution for their small dining rooms. With such a diverse heritage it’s little wonder that we are so enamored by them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1osGcZuWm2X-1vj6i_YSt5s3v42r5UxGcF6mJrXKANfwrTSkAkSSvA3xlxUVNY2qlr7XJ7P_rE8zM40BZch9ntiXegAtj2trXVRIRbx1_VUHk3fS4Uk3BQu-t5RJZTvB2zTjjSeUc4K0/s1600/banquette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1osGcZuWm2X-1vj6i_YSt5s3v42r5UxGcF6mJrXKANfwrTSkAkSSvA3xlxUVNY2qlr7XJ7P_rE8zM40BZch9ntiXegAtj2trXVRIRbx1_VUHk3fS4Uk3BQu-t5RJZTvB2zTjjSeUc4K0/s320/banquette.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><b>Select Your Seating Option</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">For a truly custom look it's hard to beat the quality you can get from a built in. The beauty of going with a fully custom settee is that you are not limited in your choices of finishes or designs. Hiring a professional to install your cool new privacy booth will cost you somewhere between $2,000 - $4,000. But the envious looks you get from all your friends will be well worth the clams you shell out. Think of how cool it would be to relax with your feet propped up on the bench in your very own booth as you peruse the "www" - perhaps the Dusty Hammer for example ;o). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Of course the other option is to build it yourself. Building a booth will require some planning and elbow grease but doing it yourself can save you a significant amount - plus you get to brag about how clever you are. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Depending on your level of comfort with building projects and the amount of tools you have at your disposal you can choose to either “A” build a booth entirely from scratch or "B" build a booth from stock cabinetry from the hardware supply store. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><b>Build-it-from-scratch option</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">There aren't a lot of free plans floating around on the internet for banquettes, primarily because they are fairly easy to build and honestly construction workers don't often think to document their progress. But with enough digging you can find a few that may help you in your quest for dining booth bliss. Take, for instance, </span><a href="http://inmyownstyle.com/2010/02/howto-make-a-kitchen-banquette.html">Dianne's</a><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> - offering close ups of design elements and material used on her corner banquette or <a href="http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-banquette-storage-bench/index.html">This one</a> from the DIY Network - (we've imbedded the video instructions below to help get you going in the right direction</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">). </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="450" id="FiveminPlayer" width="560"> <param name='allowfullscreen' value='true'/><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'/><param name='movie' value='http://embed.5min.com/172962738/'/><param name='wmode' value='window' /><embed name='FiveminPlayer' src='http://embed.5min.com/172962738/' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='560' height='450' allowfullscreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' wmode='window'> </embed> </object><br />
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</div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><b>Stock-cabinet-option</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZBsPUlRenC91AZJQoqLrXU-w-TRoVFgwlHaqa-Hh4JSNaqYxbdhknJ-fnvw5bRXr2HzjeJJUejINbZMKEZfaapsl3hETR_Nr_7oxl4-vNC9O0ipH5jDttJAw01fXeOS3bjuiT94hauA/s1600/window_seat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZBsPUlRenC91AZJQoqLrXU-w-TRoVFgwlHaqa-Hh4JSNaqYxbdhknJ-fnvw5bRXr2HzjeJJUejINbZMKEZfaapsl3hETR_Nr_7oxl4-vNC9O0ipH5jDttJAw01fXeOS3bjuiT94hauA/s200/window_seat2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">You can also build a banquette using cabinetry purchased "off the shelf" at your local hardware store in about a weekend with much less required tooling. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Mark Powers from <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20159107,00.html">thisoldhouse.com</a> put together a nice one using 4 standard refrigerator cabinets, a little trim, and few cushions, and on another site Kyle Freeman briefly describes how he built one using IKEA cabinets <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/making-kitchen-storage-bench-from-ikea-refrigerator-cabinets-093900">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>***Note*** We've had the opportunity to do several built in banquettes over the years but haven't thus far built one with stock "off the shelf" cabinetry. Since I can rarely back down from a challenge - especially when goaded by the rest of the office staff (double dog dares get me every time) - I have decided to build one from stuff we can pick up in a single trip to Home Depot. Give us a couple of weeks and we'll post a walk through. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Once you've built your seating, all you have to do is add some comfy padding then plan your next get together, cuz you've got yourself an awesome spot for chewing some grub or just "chewing the fat." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">One more option...</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We almost forgot to mention the pre-made option. Here's a list of a few vendor's that offer options that requiring little more than signing for delivery:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKY8huJlOE5hRQGRLq-L11dPDtI9-C7Zm-h1M7G8X2ND1foqgkLodE7lUc5SEJPr8w5C8jnW6mStrgL5eDs_cE-0klBF9s8J0WdcXmop7mqZ5B3fPGEsWuWSPz0UYdgrqUjdPqBx7-AE/s1600/mark_jena_Booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKY8huJlOE5hRQGRLq-L11dPDtI9-C7Zm-h1M7G8X2ND1foqgkLodE7lUc5SEJPr8w5C8jnW6mStrgL5eDs_cE-0klBF9s8J0WdcXmop7mqZ5B3fPGEsWuWSPz0UYdgrqUjdPqBx7-AE/s200/mark_jena_Booth.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.affordableseating.net/products.php?categ_id=18"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">affordableseating.net</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Competitively </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">priced restaurant quality booths. Has an interactive portal to help choose design style, fabric and color</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dinerbooths.com/">dinerbooths.com</a> - </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Commercial restaurant booths at fair prices.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><a href="http://www.seatingexpert.com/products.asp?category=6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">seatingexpert.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet another company in a similar price point vending their wares</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcyacg0yCLtVLhBTN2vKr8mqtjOOR8nf5kL6cPkdIDAa2_Lcn0LBJxYFU7v8Z3PCEbQIrtqAFmXSda3jlHkDQptxDflxcI1CIQPple9yek_UEER6Ysid2fcH2av2nARplBWsL6Ax3bts/s1600/BD_Hampton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcyacg0yCLtVLhBTN2vKr8mqtjOOR8nf5kL6cPkdIDAa2_Lcn0LBJxYFU7v8Z3PCEbQIrtqAFmXSda3jlHkDQptxDflxcI1CIQPple9yek_UEER6Ysid2fcH2av2nARplBWsL6Ax3bts/s200/BD_Hampton.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a more upscale look consider Ballard Design's <a href="http://www.ballarddesigns.com/hampton-3-piece-upholstered-set/furniture/benches/13963">Hampton 3 piece</a> - you may want to steer clear of the stark white cushions however. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For additional ideas or questions drop us a line, we'd love to hear your thoughts. </span><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-54053378010996111522010-12-04T08:04:00.000-08:002011-01-02T23:36:37.693-08:00DIY Project: Dress Boy in a Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8EpV27xevEHuGAnWZvRlYu4WDB5ZXJGhS_SzW-VLFp8W7kExs5160b3ufImtfLrBhZ2ClwGf8Lcxs8cuKbU0yA_Xu0X4FmatwTmekOs9NCNJDb2NQF_pt68clhrxmvtwGlA0exkpzG8/s1600/SAM_0062b-773425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8EpV27xevEHuGAnWZvRlYu4WDB5ZXJGhS_SzW-VLFp8W7kExs5160b3ufImtfLrBhZ2ClwGf8Lcxs8cuKbU0yA_Xu0X4FmatwTmekOs9NCNJDb2NQF_pt68clhrxmvtwGlA0exkpzG8/s640/SAM_0062b-773425.jpg" width="476" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ikeahackers.net recently posted this very cool Dress Boy Project.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Okay, by a show of hands… who knows what “dress boys” are? Anyone?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Admittedly no one here knew what they were before either... and it took the office about 15 minutes before we finally stopped sniggering about the images the name conjured up. Actually a "dress boy" is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">a pretty ingenious way to reclaim some old furniture and a cool way to de-clutter the bedroom floor. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">The basic concept is: cut the back portion off of a dining room chair, hang it on the wall and presto an artistic place to drape a few items of clothing - a “dress boy.” After all,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> who doesn't like draping their coat (or other items of clothing) over the back of a chair, there’s something strangely satisfying about it… like staking claim on your domain, announcing you've returned to the castle, sort of symbolically peeing on the tree – perhaps just a wee bit much (no pun intended), but you get the drift. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">And the best part is, this impressive functional wall art is an inexpensive project that can be finished in a weekend -which means by Monday you could have some really</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> cool clothing racks and no longer have to make</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> excuses about why you left your shirt on the floor. Here’s how to install this handy hanger in your own bedroom space:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Materials:</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Two second-hand Ikea Bertil chairs (but most any dining room type chair will do), cleat, glue, screws, drill, circular saw, piece of fine grit sand paper, brad nails (finishing nails), paint(optional).</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgumNDc8vL7FYPXklLdDMsOGtvTI_ruERMKw8nQGvTz6JvtImhPMcuCV4HKEbsNJlZ1wEix8Rt9zrDnYXxz8IlQbq0D8NhRdHHwWdWata8jps0TSfun5JpypJ3ApyrCqe6AQqcYMDq6t4/s1600/SAM_0067b-793794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgumNDc8vL7FYPXklLdDMsOGtvTI_ruERMKw8nQGvTz6JvtImhPMcuCV4HKEbsNJlZ1wEix8Rt9zrDnYXxz8IlQbq0D8NhRdHHwWdWata8jps0TSfun5JpypJ3ApyrCqe6AQqcYMDq6t4/s400/SAM_0067b-793794.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Step 1:</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span> Using a circular saw, cut the back end of the dining room chair off leaving 3-4” of seat remaining. You can either draw a straight line to follow or use a fence for the cut. For simplicity we prefer making a fence from a 2x4 c</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">lamped to the seat and resting against the back. This ensures that even with the bow in the back of the chair the line will be the straight across. The 2x4 should extend past either side of the seat by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">about 9” to give the circular saw something to ride against as it starts and finishes the cut. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Step 2:</b> </span> Measure the inside of the chair from apron to apron (side to side) and cut the French cleat </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">(a 2x4 that has been cut at a 45 deg angle lengthwise)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> to length. Install one half of the French cleat using some glue and nails. Fill the nail holes with spackle or wood filler. Lightly sand and paint chairs to desired color - these were painted the same color as the wall for some additional contemporary flair - paint your's according to your decor. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">***Note*** The French cleat is a good way to “lock” the chair into place on the wall. It is capable of holding</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> an impressive bundle of clothes, doesn't take up much room and allows</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> the chair to be removed for easy clean up. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Please DO NOT attempt to make the French cleat with you circular saw – the cleat should be cut on a table saw for safety. We want you to keep all your fingers and avoid nicknames like stubby.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
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</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5ce-ed4-5PhAmG_tX0kngmyDPoYPEhdYqkGRMIb3znDe3BGF6Pzx8HBeLLXnRVp8TJC5-2B8TFzy2HEXuQtxLIv7q3XKFWP5qB6-hV5uG7fyOeIENLHDrCVL-hEI7N4VD5buMFkNrQU/s1600/SAM_0066b-796258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5ce-ed4-5PhAmG_tX0kngmyDPoYPEhdYqkGRMIb3znDe3BGF6Pzx8HBeLLXnRVp8TJC5-2B8TFzy2HEXuQtxLIv7q3XKFWP5qB6-hV5uG7fyOeIENLHDrCVL-hEI7N4VD5buMFkNrQU/s400/SAM_0066b-796258.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
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</b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Step 3:</span> </b>Hold the chair up to the wall so the back feet are on the ground (unless you want your dress boy to be floating), position the other half of the cleat under the half attached to the chair (should look like a complete 2x4), using a pencil, mark a line under the second half of the cleat on the wall. Use this line as a guide to s<span class="apple-style-span">crew the second half of the French cleat to the wall </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">(note the direction of the angle)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">, preferably through a stud or two.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><i>***Hint*** Cut the cleat on the wall about ½” shorter (in width) than the half that was installed on the chair. It also helps to shim the cleat off the wallboard a little bit - a few thin strips of cardboard from a cereal box works pretty good. </i> </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbfulsmCTgae-znk8cmfhge-QVDAXP_PQja0OpEU1eCMlWnJTuMHNN8aGe0MnLUovMuWULUMFRNHwF08roazriqQUhOoIlByfZqZF1PxoDARKdoyARnwM6I5onpL80vhWMQk2zo7JUaY/s1600/SAM_0061b-792910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbfulsmCTgae-znk8cmfhge-QVDAXP_PQja0OpEU1eCMlWnJTuMHNN8aGe0MnLUovMuWULUMFRNHwF08roazriqQUhOoIlByfZqZF1PxoDARKdoyARnwM6I5onpL80vhWMQk2zo7JUaY/s400/SAM_0061b-792910.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Step 4:</span></b> Slide the chair over the mounted cleat and walla… you’re done. Dress it up with a shirt or two and some slacks. For some added detail you can even label the back like “His” and “Her” (to ensure you get one for your stuff as well). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><i>***Word of caution*** Be careful who you announce you have a "dress boy" in your bedroom to – and be sure to follow it up with a detailed description. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Happy Remodeling.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-75318063599226831462010-11-30T21:09:00.000-08:002010-12-08T07:13:40.852-08:00Uber-Cool Solutions for Tiny Kitchens<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">TThe recent economic downturn has not only meant the demise of the McMansion style houses but has also caused many of us to take inventory of our life styles, tighten our belts and seek pocket book friendly alternatives. If you’ve responded to the changes in the financial environment by downsizing your digs, or have moved to an apartment in the city to conserve gas on the commute, you’ve no doubt found yourself with quite a bit less room than you’re accustomed to. Fear not, faithful Dusty Hammer followers, we’ve gathered from the far reaches of the internet this list of ultra tiny space saving kitchens</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"> designed to pack a lot of functionality into a very little space. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvwpzuPoCLJoS6ZOOYWXFhHLPI6gUg4idlM1U6uWg9w0PBfb3chhjiOwpxskqJHa3pqguXbEuBYjXQaN0-K9mpfBeX8wFbsvgWChLni6D9s7vMAi7p8wRapHWPzTGv8z4kZU9v-K3aLc/s1600/small-modular-kitchen-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPITrkQOlD7_YYqszn3fnYBxxo7llhksUIgsbktyb7DTxNQ1d6fu07dW-behAwHa5Vv5gUI_TPM9FmP5AlbU55_I7VvNUhrRDzmLpptGDJha92krvkWswaNAQTgWP6ai-XtZOwgMzwg_Y/s1600/small-modular-kitchen-2.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPITrkQOlD7_YYqszn3fnYBxxo7llhksUIgsbktyb7DTxNQ1d6fu07dW-behAwHa5Vv5gUI_TPM9FmP5AlbU55_I7VvNUhrRDzmLpptGDJha92krvkWswaNAQTgWP6ai-XtZOwgMzwg_Y/s1600/small-modular-kitchen-2.2.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">The chic micro cookery created by German designers Kristin Laass and Norman Ebelt looks like a sophisticated and attractive cabinet. When collapsed the “kitchen” takes up just over 10 sq/ft of floor space but hidden inside this contemporary dining room furniture is a fully loaded, fully functional kitchen complete with an induction cook-top, refrigerator, convection oven/microwave, and storage for various kitchen tools and dishes – they even threw in a kitchen sink.</span></span></span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> Check out the photo montage for this tiny cook space at</span></span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> <a href="http://www.digsdigs.com/small-modular-kitchen-for-very-small-spaces/">DigsDigs</a> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvfPesJQEbDbPs_JfHw2U_oVfWD2kiK-Lx6_TboTP4vXrBqhgB6VV2iY6dz2YHuCNYA9SDacLKDoBa14qDpHqW6F1LyZ7BQL6zeDUfEwNErtpr0cuRaD9UXe9tiRrm3kXPWWNlJ9Plk4/s1600/rotisserie-compact-kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvfPesJQEbDbPs_JfHw2U_oVfWD2kiK-Lx6_TboTP4vXrBqhgB6VV2iY6dz2YHuCNYA9SDacLKDoBa14qDpHqW6F1LyZ7BQL6zeDUfEwNErtpr0cuRaD9UXe9tiRrm3kXPWWNlJ9Plk4/s1600/rotisserie-compact-kitchen.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Circle® Kitchen from Compact Concepts is a nifty little kitchen that takes its cues from a revolving department store door. This “totally tubular” kitchen design (our apologies for the bad pun) comes complete with a cook-top, oven/microwave combo, sink, dishwasher, breakfast bar, range hood, dual waste bins and an arm lengths list of other amenities – it even includes a concealed power-strip for the coffee maker and built-in halogen lights. All wrapped neatly in a pretty little round package offered in a wide variety of colors and textures sure to suit almost any taste – our favorite is Ferrari Red. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">At just under 20 sq ft of space this all in one unit provides practically everything you’d need to prep your next gourmet meal – and it all fits in about the same space as a small closet. Oh, and did we mention the whole unit rotates?! Think of never having to walk around the kitchen again… go from the sink to the fridge to oven with a spin of the wrist - try doing that with a conventional kitchen! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">To get your new Circle<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">® Kitchen brochure visit <a href="http://www.compact-concepts.com/englisch/index.html">CompactConcepts.com</a> </span></span>(I hear they even have leasing options). </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
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<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi719kqJ58CkErrmf21towovna4AgtxsKSsjsNLqhDrOK2Qa3SKN1GB0NaRoWqOpcu9cmnB5u1h-fBYB28-Fg8wKri2f8UYOOhuxrva0uE635KxN9fRRk2TG1d0RNmEJuJwp2xZc_42GrI/s1600/Fendi-tiny-kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi719kqJ58CkErrmf21towovna4AgtxsKSsjsNLqhDrOK2Qa3SKN1GB0NaRoWqOpcu9cmnB5u1h-fBYB28-Fg8wKri2f8UYOOhuxrva0uE635KxN9fRRk2TG1d0RNmEJuJwp2xZc_42GrI/s1600/Fendi-tiny-kitchen.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
Best known for their </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">high fashion handbags, the Fendi name has become synonymous with luxury, good taste and style. Now Fendi is putting their stamp of approval on an ultra modern, ultra tiny kitchen under the Fendi Casa brand name. The fashion forward design company put its creative prowess to the test by designing a fully functional super stylish kitchen that fits into less than 8’ of wall space – total. The resulting super chic compact cucina (that’s Italian for kitchen) could well be called “culinary couture.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Concealed behind the luxurious black, chocolate or ivory doors sporting the signature opposing F logo, is a swanky studio kitchen that has it all – stove, sink, microwave,</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></span><span class="ilad"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">coffee maker</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">, refrigerator and dishwasher with glass shelves and stainless steel accents in a tastefully done (duh) retro mod design. The doors and drawers in this stylish kitchen are push/pull assist for easy opening and closing, and for one last bit of wow you can even choose to have the sexy wardrobe doors that hide it all, open whisper quiet with just a touch. Visit the <a href="http://www.fendi.com/">Fendi</a> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">site to find out where you can get your hands on one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AoVg6BevXjFvhEMzH7r8S3J-ejkXcrEh4X5oZvTOL7bqkapSxZhMVbP2dSX9GjszONRgIQhBLR6Glwkd7s0zu3ZcttJZKN9xpYUP9aQuVJ4ohGspbnix3P9fDSWVTjNCfORibYygQFY/s1600/Table-kitchen-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AoVg6BevXjFvhEMzH7r8S3J-ejkXcrEh4X5oZvTOL7bqkapSxZhMVbP2dSX9GjszONRgIQhBLR6Glwkd7s0zu3ZcttJZKN9xpYUP9aQuVJ4ohGspbnix3P9fDSWVTjNCfORibYygQFY/s1600/Table-kitchen-2.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVP9gV9HFKa_l0wOTpZmwx-JKcePjnxz2crgbe93qpQmgK4Fy5PjqVG5Q7sTIZ1iTBOgVsdQTL4rn8UxWiehIvt0pyfLvoeHZzMn0sLTSGD487kgC8LmkPuJZKIw0wDiA8rZ018RFVqY/s1600/Table-kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"></span></a></div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">If the above options are still too much space for your comfy condo why not give Christopher Meyer and Vicky Muller's kitchen concept a try. “Kleine kuche,” which translated from german means small kitchen, is an attempt to integrate</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">all the necessary elements of a culinary space into a single piece of furniture. The design, which resembles a nice looking modern dining table with bulging legs, conceals behind skins of silicon all the necessary mechanical components (ie plumbing and electrical) to make the table a fully functioning kitchen and provides a space for items like pots and pans to be stored out of the way. This cleverly camouflaged kitchen not only seats 4 but cooks and cleans for them as well; incorporating both an induction cook-top and sink. Click <a href="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/10775/christopher-meyer-vicky-muller-small-kitchen.html">here</a> for more information.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aiJobspr1nw_C7LP6RnCCJ9Hya9m0a-2tKI9rBz5hCWEKWD3YQ2ZkGcFQaTdONmBwC7NHMn0JiGYXokS7DOVer9ZZ9q3BuZOi8r8zm1jsBs-MmgBoJmKppnQF7GqWYE3JamuX3AV6gc/s1600/Grandma-kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aiJobspr1nw_C7LP6RnCCJ9Hya9m0a-2tKI9rBz5hCWEKWD3YQ2ZkGcFQaTdONmBwC7NHMn0JiGYXokS7DOVer9ZZ9q3BuZOi8r8zm1jsBs-MmgBoJmKppnQF7GqWYE3JamuX3AV6gc/s1600/Grandma-kitchen.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">When tastes lean toward the graphic novel (ie comic book) motif, Oma’s Rache (Grandma’s Revenge) may be just what you’re looking for. This smart kitchen concept magically transforms a seemingly solid wall with a 2 dimensional piece of art into a full kitchen and dining area. The decked out eatery comes complete with built-in sink, dishwasher, cooking surface, storage units, table, and benches - that all slide out with the wave of a hand. If you’re in need of a space saving option with some futuristic Jetsons-like coolness don’t let the spiteful name fool you, this is one sweet little kitchen design.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">F</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">or additional details and photos on Grandma's Revenge visit <a href="http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/2009/06/20/clever-pull-out-compact-kitchen/">tinyhouse.com</a></span></span></span></span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-47973968390442095902010-11-24T11:03:00.000-08:002010-11-30T12:49:54.428-08:00Contemporary Style: Modern Sinks<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeDQ7WBRMyGtoJmJCJI_XUhhtuUWAGmdnTqNuQ9Kv_FX53rprLqkym0ZdNpY-TG7JVOsp-DZKLR31LNYD8kOABZ5DsnTT3f10rbAvvYab8shHzIUxOS2vo0WUWn7r5Mzo9OBIWZqGch8/s1600/sinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeDQ7WBRMyGtoJmJCJI_XUhhtuUWAGmdnTqNuQ9Kv_FX53rprLqkym0ZdNpY-TG7JVOsp-DZKLR31LNYD8kOABZ5DsnTT3f10rbAvvYab8shHzIUxOS2vo0WUWn7r5Mzo9OBIWZqGch8/s640/sinks.jpg" width="600" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Ah, the bathroom sink – this oft neglected element of the restroom has patiently waited for it's time in the sun as we have gone about our business - washing our hands after using the lavatory (providing we </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">weren't</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> raised in a barn), using it to freshen up for a evening on the town, and brushing “the fangs” in preparation for bed. It is has accepted being the object of scorn as we prepare the loo for house guests </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-zPSXQUEIAgwgDZLTkNnKJrfUffuUvlE7N_ePeI8eLMAtplk0Urc_1uTu-IMNt6mlve2SaDx5vmbr8NGfPJ2fNusOTuYnUlGTabqvlaiJkvdD8glRO8OZvFMZUZJr0P8ey59Rwz9Ar0/s1600/N0351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">and the cause of more than one marital argument over the amount of hair contained therein. Perhaps it's time to give this hard working household "member" a face lift. No longer need the washbasin be a boring white porcelain bowl - today these functional fixtures can also be strikingly beautiful works of art.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO5u-fyV8ziu9sClqPPsZVs8oYjTkej8WmrkKn8IIC-FsSKKNp4G0iogw8sM_Ez5MXWadrkxuzoS2ssK4cfcjBY7Oe1nZMZNQe37lLoKOGJBa2B6lqcjFNRoEmcAFmfUGyAO812xiG3A/s1600/red+sinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO5u-fyV8ziu9sClqPPsZVs8oYjTkej8WmrkKn8IIC-FsSKKNp4G0iogw8sM_Ez5MXWadrkxuzoS2ssK4cfcjBY7Oe1nZMZNQe37lLoKOGJBa2B6lqcjFNRoEmcAFmfUGyAO812xiG3A/s400/red+sinks.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>Bold colors and a striking amoeba shaped sink add</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b> a touch of </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>whimsy </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>to this otherwise monochromatic </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>bathroom space</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Of course bathroom sinks come in more varieties than we could hope to innumerate in a single blog post so, for now, we’re content to focus on some of the modern bathroom sinks designs. You know, the ones with clean lines, compelling shapes, and/or made from interesting materials. We realize that even within the realm of contemporary sink design the variety is vast but hey, we like looking at photos of contempo sinks and we’re hoping you do, too.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0cQYuobZ3J7VqFtBHycOObrAdaYADBoU1HXQvzx7-Fvo4FKjU-MREMOaTPkabTXxPg2He98LDWTbVafodm6AMcf25a2Fn3LpH7xrqW3m4WoT1erDKJfiNKrO4fi9wQycslZld0AWwRg/s320/bath4_lg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>Deep toned mahogany contrast nicely with the bright white <br />
porcelain sink and "mod" counter-top application</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuHfKrU4qPbIdOELB3Xo3VSSlqcfAiVIs6hvy4NoAVojgkfLBY-9qKBW88h1J-gFXOVEAdRjcTZRGzDX6Jd-FirF7ZQQldhPzUtdRZKzOxEAUiJg6Z3utk7YSJ8J77KcElvLmwBmuD4g/s320/DLVRB-207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="292" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>Free floating (cantilevered) sinks with a wide drawer bank<br />
below provide storage as well as some flair... though your</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>sinks will likely need plumbing (unlike these pictured) so </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>make sure you have some nice chromed pipes.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NR4cZUZEq3lPvIV65GXjUmZ1tTc03ULsMjiv5zhWY_qCthIEIgtIw7K6r4XQAEUK4PYXaYY9-sCQ3N5X0kGCZ7SOnE9XKLLZU1yW0oiukbPafUTsG06Ux3UWKASm2KxPd4ESAoWx28M/s320/Sink+stone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>Floating vanities provide storage without taking up </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>without </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>taking up a lot of visual space. We </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>humans like to see </b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>our floors.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMw409H5Y-_TuY-0bLswK-yjS_nevMnPD3JSLs0kNuQASTDCIj9CERINFOe2yFH_cT-V6u3fj9bA7PfOmW62hudbwmzoyZCsE00R1GQqYGA_jmVlYFrV_JS7C21zOE1A1wZxf09Rz8do/s320/what+the+shell.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="239" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>What the shell?! Sorry we couldn't resist.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NR4cZUZEq3lPvIV65GXjUmZ1tTc03ULsMjiv5zhWY_qCthIEIgtIw7K6r4XQAEUK4PYXaYY9-sCQ3N5X0kGCZ7SOnE9XKLLZU1yW0oiukbPafUTsG06Ux3UWKASm2KxPd4ESAoWx28M/s1600/Sink+stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMw409H5Y-_TuY-0bLswK-yjS_nevMnPD3JSLs0kNuQASTDCIj9CERINFOe2yFH_cT-V6u3fj9bA7PfOmW62hudbwmzoyZCsE00R1GQqYGA_jmVlYFrV_JS7C21zOE1A1wZxf09Rz8do/s1600/what+the+shell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuHfKrU4qPbIdOELB3Xo3VSSlqcfAiVIs6hvy4NoAVojgkfLBY-9qKBW88h1J-gFXOVEAdRjcTZRGzDX6Jd-FirF7ZQQldhPzUtdRZKzOxEAUiJg6Z3utk7YSJ8J77KcElvLmwBmuD4g/s1600/DLVRB-207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 18px;">Our question is… as aesthetically pleasing as modern sink design can be, we’re a little concerned that some might be too pretty to really get down to business. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana; line-height: 18px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">What do you think – would you have to think twice before spitting your toothpaste into one of these modern vessels?</span></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-37179988139491339812010-11-23T16:58:00.000-08:002010-12-08T15:48:55.243-08:00Amazing Design Ad from Ralph Lauren<div class="MsoNormal">A couple of weeks ago Ralph Lauren opened a new store on Madison Ave in New York. As part of the ribbon cutting ceremonies the famed designer employed a series of high intensity HD projectors powered by lasers (either that or technology from extra terrestrials) to broadcast a fanciful multimedia advertisement onto the new store front. From mystical lights swirling in and out of windows lighting the store as it goes to designer handbags floating in mid-air to building facades exploding open with Polo players in a heated game balanced on the balconies of the store, this truly impressive display will have you “oohing” and aahing” the entire 7 minutes. Ralph Lauren calls it the world’s first 4D experience… we just call it “Freakin’ Sweet!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">We're not even going to venture a guess as to the exact dollars and cents Mr. Lauren had to pay to bring this spectacle to life but Kudos to the team who did. We’ve never seen anything even remotely close. Our one disappointment is that this one time event was able to be seen by so few. Nevertheless, even from the glow of computer monitor the feat is pretty impressive. Check it out.<br />
<br />
</div><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16722030" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/16722030">The Official Ralph Lauren 4D Experience - New York</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/ralphlauren4d">Ralph Lauren</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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Then check out some of the behind the scenes footage on how they made it happen. It’s well worth a look.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16722548" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/16722548">The Official Ralph Lauren 4D Experience – Behind The Scenes</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/ralphlauren4d">Ralph Lauren</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-42262213011270771912010-11-17T08:51:00.000-08:002010-11-17T09:29:57.279-08:00Hardwood Floor Made From Recycled Newspaper<div class="MsoNormal">Cool Products: NewspaperWood</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvKGTtMoL9R4dn0OGli09t6nKEMmoklLvI_o1krJxOFFA9PzXuamr6erb-NzlEzkJIVwftKfaMbT9jaVQjVylH2KTve8g10-V71jXR8s89bBwie_eK18c46q0uONl1MirLssFABDgnVE/s1600/Wood+from+newspaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvKGTtMoL9R4dn0OGli09t6nKEMmoklLvI_o1krJxOFFA9PzXuamr6erb-NzlEzkJIVwftKfaMbT9jaVQjVylH2KTve8g10-V71jXR8s89bBwie_eK18c46q0uONl1MirLssFABDgnVE/s320/Wood+from+newspaper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">It looks like wood, feels like wood, it sands and cuts like wood, but it’s not wood – at least not exactly. You’ve more than likely heard about construction products that use post-consumer waste in their manufacturing - carpet using plastic resins from PET bottles, insulation using old denim fabrics, or concrete boards strengthened with strands of glass from recycled bottles, now you can say hello to the new “kid” in town – NewspaperWood. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A couple of creative young design firms from the Netherlands have teamed up to develop a fashionable way to reduce the 41.7 million tons of newsprint that make its way into landfills every year by recycling the perused periodicals into a durable floor covering.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">NewspaperWood is essentially compressed discarded newspapers rolled into “logs” then cut into flat planks (in much the same fashion hardwood boards are cut). The resulting product is surprisingly strong and possesses many of the same properties of the conventional stuff – it even has “grain” like a traditional piece of wood. "Hardwood" floor that's made from paper that's made from wood… sort of a new spin on the whole “which came first” quandary. <br />
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Don't go racing out to the building supply store just yet. NewspaperWood is not quite ready for mass production, but do keep your eyes peeled. In a few years you could very well be standing on flooring made out of the newspaper articles written about the floor you’re standing on... now if only they could figure out a way to do something with old blogs.<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">For more information on NewspaperWood check out the <a href="http://www.vij5.com/">Vij5</a> or <a href="http://www.miekedingen.nl/en/home/">Mieke Meijer</a> website. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-40247441024466419312010-11-15T14:21:00.000-08:002010-11-21T21:29:50.868-08:00Remodeling With an Eye on Resale<h3 style="margin: 2.4pt 0in 7.5pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">"Potential home buyers spook easily – loud noises, black cats, and unfinished projects can have them running for their car faster than you can say "Seller pays closing."</span></h3><div style="margin: 2.4pt 0in 7.5pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 2.4pt 0in 7.5pt; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MLno5B3xU0gH4qa6mqLaWo-Bqe95MI8Lt2tcsIRtS7_SSzZXlqhQMxuQaJSurj2U6Y9Xaic4ZPjWLl_LbphO609_RAP-cRwCITAdXaVrTC-5OQtNaskXhi0FH04eu7wWw04t2IbsE2c/s1600/sold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MLno5B3xU0gH4qa6mqLaWo-Bqe95MI8Lt2tcsIRtS7_SSzZXlqhQMxuQaJSurj2U6Y9Xaic4ZPjWLl_LbphO609_RAP-cRwCITAdXaVrTC-5OQtNaskXhi0FH04eu7wWw04t2IbsE2c/s1600/sold.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">It’s not news that the current housing market is a tad soft. There are more homes and fewer buyers, which means lower prices - good news if you are buying… not so much if you are planning to sell. But just because the market is soft does not mean there aren't buyers willing to pay a fair price for your domicile. It simply means that if you are looking to sell your house in this cut-throat real estate market, it's more important than ever that your home stands out. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">As you look for ways to distinguish your residence from that of “the neighbor’s” a good place to start is the list of planned upgrades that has been slowly but steadily growing since you moved in. These upgraded amenities can have big payoffs both in dollars and time on the market, but be careful, poorly executed or unnecessary renovations can have highly unfavorable results. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2EpR3ubSCBIfY_thAyg5zDj0DYEzJdz6xur_5YlOTyP4nfLxbB6DY62JnBsxnrEFW68OFEEWYFfvOgHlbny3bSmBr3s_LHPTEre9CdojFTCBHN_vJt01ZwvxI-j56WljfWn10sy4sFE/s1600/sold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="float: right;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype><shape alt="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2EpR3ubSCBIfY_thAyg5zDj0DYEzJdz6xur_5YlOTyP4nfLxbB6DY62JnBsxnrEFW68OFEEWYFfvOgHlbny3bSmBr3s_LHPTEre9CdojFTCBHN_vJt01ZwvxI-j56WljfWn10sy4sFE/s1600/sold.jpg" id="_x0000_i1025" o:button="t" style="height: 150pt; width: 150pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2EpR3ubSCBIfY_thAyg5zDj0DYEzJdz6xur_5YlOTyP4nfLxbB6DY62JnBsxnrEFW68OFEEWYFfvOgHlbny3bSmBr3s_LHPTEre9CdojFTCBHN_vJt01ZwvxI-j56WljfWn10sy4sFE/s200/sold.jpg" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata></shape></span></a><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when preparing to remodel your home with the goal of getting potential buyers in the door (and offers on the table). </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Think like a “flipper”</span></u></b><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Ever notice how the cars on a used car lot are always clean, with no visible defects and often sporting a new paint job? Even the tires have been shined! There's a reason for that. The same principles that work so well selling second-hand cars apply to selling your home - a clean, bright house, emptied of clutter and with newly painted walls is practically the real estate equivalent of "that new car smell." So </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">don't underestimate the value a couple cans of paint and a few hours straightening up can add to your home's sale price.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">As much as we criticize “house flippers”</span> for swooping in to buy houses cheap, doing a quick fix, and flipping the domicile, the fact of the matter is, “flippers” (yes they are still out there) really do get houses sold. Follow their successful models. That is, distance yourself emotionally from the house and look at it from a buyer's point of view – try not only seeing it as an investment but imagine walking through the front door for the first time looking to possibly purchase. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Obviously this is “easier said than done.” Separating ourselves emotionally from our home in order to objectively critique it is not an easy proposition, which is one of the reasons there is nearly 10 months of housing inventory on the market. This is where the services of a professional remodel contractor and experienced real estate agent can prove invaluable. These seasoned pros can provide you with helpful insights to your property and assist you to see things from a “buyer’s eye view.” </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Curb Appeal</span></u></b><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Many buyers determine whether or not a house is worth a second look or more importantly a walk through based on what they see from the street. If you can’t get them out of their car, there likely won’t be a sale. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Landscaping is an inexpensive way to gain huge points with buyers. Some new shrubs and flowers set in freshly laid bark can make a huge impact. Keep the yard neatly trimmed, prune those uncomely bushes and trees in the front yard and make sure the debris and leaves are cleaned. It's may be worth your time to contact a local landscaper or remodeling contractor to tackle some of the problems that are too big for you or to finish projects you’ve been putting off.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Remember, potential home buyers spook easily – loud noises, black cats, and unfinished projects can have them running for their car faster than you can say “seller pays closing.” Those "little" problems with your home you affectionately refer to as "quirks" may not be so easily overlooked by someone thinking of purchasing. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Potential home buyers quickly fixate on exterior issues - t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">he leaning mailbox and broken steps that no longer seem like such a big deal to you, could be a deal-breaker for a potential buyer. Hanging gutters and broken shingles could mean scratching you off their list of possibilities. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Taking care of these items could save you thousands on the negotiantions table. A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">nd while your at it, slap a new coat of paint on the front door, or better yet replace it with a more attractive one. Replacing an entry door is a fairly simple project that can add as much as 130% of the money you paid to the selling price. Making your entry way as inviting as possible is practically money in the pocket</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">As always, if the project seems overwhelming don’t be afraid to call in a professional who can help you repair these items and offer suggestions for other areas of concern you may have overlooked </span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><u><strong>Forget the "Wishlist"</strong></u></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">When you’ve been bit by the remodel bug it’s easy to fall victim to the belief that the laundry list of upgrades you’ve wanted to do for years will automatically equate to higher profits. Unfortunately this is often not the case. You rarely get everything you put into a renovation in dollars and cents, and while some of the value is returned through intangibles (ie selling a house faster) often these upgrades are for your own personal benefit. The upgrades you think are so vital may have little to no value for the new owners. So, forget your own wish-list and look at the house from a buyer’s point of view. When in doubt, apply the adage coined by famed architect Mies Van der Rohe "Less is more." In other words, if it seems too complicated or too much it probably is. </span><br />
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<u><strong>Fix it</strong></u><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">There are times when it pays to bring in the “big guns.” Some homes have a major problem that will keep buyers away in droves. The lopsided and broken front door with blistered paint is a major problem. If there’s no dining room, that’s a major problem. No garage door opener, you guessed it. Fortunately there are several larger upgrades that can not only help move your house faster but will give you a fairly good Return On Investment (ROI). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">REMODELING magazine recently published their annual <a href="http://www.costvsvalue.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Cost vs. Value Report</span></a>. The report considers 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain when it comes time to sell. Not surprisingly almost every area is down from a few years ago but there are projects that give you a decent ROI and more importantly could mean the difference between a house with a sold sign in the yard and one that sits. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">When addressing these larger issues it's best to isolate the single most obvious one and fix it, then continue down the line evaluating each for the value it can bring to the table. You will often find these issues can be taken care of quickly and fairly inexpensively. The rest is in the details. </span></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-15578991331230357742010-11-11T12:16:00.000-08:002010-11-11T17:26:44.630-08:00THANK-YOU FREEBIES FOR VETERANS!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizinySKOvb-zqVkpZs9XnMzGE3h1xHaVLQKmXB910Lo6nVmWRD2i3Yi0hR6wA79zLuybTK1QoneTvvkPFpYRh3WI7v3ftzOwf_oORCWqFHSGqVCRqC_swl8cbyLJ9BLmGl-l3S4wxcOFA/s1600/boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizinySKOvb-zqVkpZs9XnMzGE3h1xHaVLQKmXB910Lo6nVmWRD2i3Yi0hR6wA79zLuybTK1QoneTvvkPFpYRh3WI7v3ftzOwf_oORCWqFHSGqVCRqC_swl8cbyLJ9BLmGl-l3S4wxcOFA/s200/boys.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">On this Veterans Day, we at the Dusty Hammer</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"> join the rest of the Nation in extending our love and appreciation to the many men and women who have stood (or continue to stand) in the line of fire to preserve and defend this great country. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">In that spirit we bring you this list of Veterans Day Goodies from Military.com. Some of the highlights that made the list include:</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">Free Veterans Day meals from National restaurant chains like Applebee’s, Chili’s, Golden Corral and many more, </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">A free collapsible walking cane from Sam’s Club </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">And discounts from numerous retail stores. </span></span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2010/11/veterans-day-discounts/">Click here for the full list of Veteran Day Discounts and Freebies.</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Note:</i></span><i> C</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>heck your local paper for the</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> countless local businesses who wish to express their appreciation with similar offerings of gratitude. </i> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;">From the bottom of our hearts we salute you and thank-you for your selfless service! </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">God Bless!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-74488678820134999732010-11-10T23:43:00.000-08:002010-11-11T00:33:59.282-08:00Giant Edible Gingerbread Playhouse<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcutWBd1qGCOWuvy-3uR0vQzSI9ratQiQKomTpfegR0OrYjAD3BLBWcsJOCuAcNXm7nQPbORlnwsbDat_WnaZdnF5pRwEZhuAf7msxMtwJLmk2rzmC4bGo2fAjl06piiLmDq1DHTvoTA/s1600/NM+candy+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcutWBd1qGCOWuvy-3uR0vQzSI9ratQiQKomTpfegR0OrYjAD3BLBWcsJOCuAcNXm7nQPbORlnwsbDat_WnaZdnF5pRwEZhuAf7msxMtwJLmk2rzmC4bGo2fAjl06piiLmDq1DHTvoTA/s400/NM+candy+house.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hansel and Gretel, eat your hearts out!</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: 'Edwardian Script ITC';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> E</span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span">ver wonder what it would be like to spend the weekend as Willy Wonka’s guest? Well my saccharin seeking friends wonder no more… Our pals at Neiman Marcus have heard your candy coated cries and have answered with a 1000 pound confectionery mini-manor.</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">This year the famed high end retail chain brings </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">the Edible Gingerbread Playhouse by Dylan's Candy Bar </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">to their over the top Christmas wishlist book. Yep, you read that correctly the EDIBLE PLAYHOUSE. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">They claim the sugary domicile is big enough to</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> satisfy even the "healthiest" of sweet-tooths - we say, "No Duh!". At </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">6 ft 6 in tall, 5 ft 3 in wide and 4 ft deep, this enormous cookie hut</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> is more than just a way to satiate a sugar craving... it's job security for an</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> army of dentists.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The half ton candy structure is made from 381 lbs. of gingerbread, 517 lbs. of royal icing and literally thousands of gourmet sweets, including oversized gummies, mints, gumdrops, and cookies, all topped with a candy-encrusted roof (there's even a lollipop tree inside, just for good measure). <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span">But, at $15000 this is one Christmas cookie you won't be seeing on a Black Friday door buster list any time soon. Then again - our sources tell us that if you can hold out until the day after Christmas sale they’ll be practically giving ‘em away – of course the 2000 gallons of milk required to keep from going into a sugar induced coma will offset most of your savings. </span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-75174202278678122432010-11-09T23:10:00.000-08:002010-11-09T23:10:11.268-08:00Nanotechnology and the Construction Industry<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve been waiting our whole blogging career (all three weeks) to say this… Nanotechnology has finally arrived! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheN53wZLlBswed9OKVcR1PUxWidIQR4HyCOQ0fsF_NmF4y7Ir2WpQs7j3Tv6BZ2w8IC909_fL4GtDTxoltCZdboe7pU71ARjacpqsG034ICfQ3FDnXp-l6l_I3V0pwt4y6qu9frzvzBEI/s1600/k0350430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheN53wZLlBswed9OKVcR1PUxWidIQR4HyCOQ0fsF_NmF4y7Ir2WpQs7j3Tv6BZ2w8IC909_fL4GtDTxoltCZdboe7pU71ARjacpqsG034ICfQ3FDnXp-l6l_I3V0pwt4y6qu9frzvzBEI/s1600/k0350430.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, not those awesome microscopic sci-fi robots that can mend a punctured lung while an android makes you the perfect caramel mocha latte. We’re talking about real life construction materials that are less than 1/50,000<sup>th</sup> the size of a human hair. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">nano-scaled building technologies </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">are poised to make a big impact in the construction industry; offering everything from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 2x4s that won't burn to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">concrete that won't crack. But not everyone is so keen on adopting them into widespread use.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new report by ACS Nano analyzes the findings of over 140 studies done on the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">uber-tiny construction materials - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">citing the benefits as well as the possible harmful health and environmental impacts. <a href="http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/nn100866w">Click here</a> to read the report – unless, of course, you really have a cyber-genetic maid that fixes your morning “cup of joe” – then this stuff is probably old hat. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-41059045399617359162010-11-09T09:46:00.000-08:002010-11-11T10:30:37.387-08:00Homeowner's Insurance: Questions and Answers<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuIdU5HSPmD2XOZd__euy3gnXcRGNpugyDa_wlNYKyPpN3fL4Mibrdnhlf5UCUqxsVI1K-FDVycTDcxabXQ8l5tZc7KtuSLvbD-k9wWWSY1Ff7gRqLwIOXTRZU-odbqrs5UkT2tfjyJ4/s1600/b12796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuIdU5HSPmD2XOZd__euy3gnXcRGNpugyDa_wlNYKyPpN3fL4Mibrdnhlf5UCUqxsVI1K-FDVycTDcxabXQ8l5tZc7KtuSLvbD-k9wWWSY1Ff7gRqLwIOXTRZU-odbqrs5UkT2tfjyJ4/s200/b12796.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">The Dusty Hammer asked Dustin Wood with Mountain Tyme Construction to share his expertise on homeowner’s insurance and insurance claims <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Dusty Hammer:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> <b>How important is homeowner’s insurance?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Dustin Wood:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Insurance is one of those weird products we buy in hopes we will never use. It’s hard to spend money on things we don’t want, but properly insuring your home against disasters is vital. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Too often we buy into the extended warranties for HDTVs and insurance for our smart phones but fail to carry sufficient insurance for the things we really couldn’t afford to replace. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DH: How do we know we have sufficient coverage?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DW: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> It’s estimated that somewhere between 60% and 70% of insured homeowners are under-insured. This equates to hundreds of millions of dollars in lost insurance claims every year! If you’re not sure of your coverage level, ask. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I also recommend you have the insurance company perform an analysis of your home's replacement value (this is done at no cost to you). You can still opt for less coverage but you are able to make a more informed decision about the policy coverage you are comfortable with and the potential risks and costs - both present and future. You don’t want to have to wonder when you’re standing in front of the charred remains of what used to be your home.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DH:</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> In the event of an in home disaster, what should a homeowner do?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DW:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Providing that the occupants are not in mortal peril, the first things the homeowner should do is place a call to his insurance agent. Then go about trying to minimize the impact the occurrence will have on your life and property. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Often homeowners put off making a call to their insurance agent fearing a hike in their premiums. The truth is that Home Owner’s Insurance premiums don’t generally work that way. Unlike automobile insurance,which is based on your personal record, homeowners insurance premiums are based on the performance of a region. Your homeowners insurance may increase the next time it’s up for renewal but this increase has little to do with your individual claim. So pick up the phone, make your agent earn their commission and get yourself whole again.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> </span><b style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DH:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> <b>What can people expect when they file a claim?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DW:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A pretty common course of events can be illustrated by the experience of a recent client. The couple had returned home late one night from an extended family visit out of town. As they walked down the unlit corridor to their room they heard what she later described as potato chips crunching under foot. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While they were on vacation, their front load washing machine’s fill valve had failed and water soaked their recently installed pre-finished hardwood flooring all the way to the underlayment. The “crunching potato chips” sound was the finish on their hard wood floor, which had delaminated as it swelled and cracked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Early the next morning they called their agent with the news. After going over some general information with them, the agent arranged a time for an assessor to stop by the following day. At the agreed upon time the assessor came by with a disaster clean up team in tow. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The damage was evaluated and the disaster cleanup team immediately went to work removing the swollen flooring. They then set up industrial fans to dry out the wet subfloor and limit further damage both above and below the house. Their agent followed up with the homeowners the same day the assessor finished to help them decide how they would like to proceed with the repairs. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DH: So the insurance company lines up the repair work?</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DW:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No. While they usually coordinate the disaster clean up crew in order to limit the damage, but choosing the contractor for the repair work is left up to the homeowner. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most insurance companies have a list of contractors they can recommend but ultimately the decision falls to the homeowner.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DH: Can a homeowner do the repairs themselves?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt;">DW: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b> </b>Yes</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">. If you feel comfortable doing the work yourself you could save yourself a significant amount of money – on the other hand, shoddy workmanship could cost you thousands in resale value. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Talk with a qualified professional contractor to discuss what areas you are thinking about tackling yourself. You may find the areas you can do are not worth the effort you’d have to put into them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you do decide to do some of the work many contractors are willing to work with clients – but be sure to ask up front. Keep in mind however that if they have to wait on you to finish something you chose to do, you may not only cost yourself time by delaying progress but could wind up costing more money than you thought you were going to save in the first place.</span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bottom line: You don't want to end up with a house full of inadequately or </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">half</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">finished projects so make sure you're up to the task you choose to do - there are some things best left to a professional contractor. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13KIcQwa9RuztVc3BT-XV1W9ycR2T_2ILyPRrfAQtunIOUvPLqEXQdFTeaQbAOK5F9zImA0aOTTgcpCLGPduEP0Pn_5OU0QDYlzip9T_lT6QeILn0GyjS8JmyIa9ZNy-slLE-Tw7iMRE/s1600/G42-359632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13KIcQwa9RuztVc3BT-XV1W9ycR2T_2ILyPRrfAQtunIOUvPLqEXQdFTeaQbAOK5F9zImA0aOTTgcpCLGPduEP0Pn_5OU0QDYlzip9T_lT6QeILn0GyjS8JmyIa9ZNy-slLE-Tw7iMRE/s1600/G42-359632.jpg" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DH: What is covered by insurance?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">DW:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;"> </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Insurance, generally speaking, is for </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sudden and unpremeditated damages. Damage that is caused by long term exposure to something (like a slow leak in a pipe rotting floorboards) are usually classified as neglect and not covered. A good rule of thumb is if you can put an exact date when damage occurred (like Oct 12) it is likely covered. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> T</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here are a few exceptions but </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think you'll find that most damages that would impact you are covered. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">About a year ago, my mother was at home waiting for the return of my father from a hunting trip. As afternoon gave way to evening she tried to keep herself from worrying about him by focusing on the household chores. My mom has always believed dishwashers do an inadequate job of sanitizing her dinnerware, so for as long as I can remember she flat out refused to have one of those fancy dishwashing contraptions in her home. “Besides,” she protests. “My way conserves water.” That’s mom for you, “green” long before green was cool. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anyways, listening to the water filling the sink basin soon gave way to other more personal matters. In a flash she was off to the “ladies room” leaving the warm sudsy water to finish filling the sink. When she got out of the bathroom the phone rang and soon the dishes and more importantly the filling sink basin were completely forgotten. She happily went on with other tasks she had elsewhere in the house as the steady flow of sink water streamed across her counter, down her cabinetry and collected in a rapidly growing puddle on the kitchen floor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A few hours later my father returned home with his prize deer and was greeted by 3” of standing water. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When my parents had exhausted the last towel in the house trying to clean up the mess, they discovered much to their chagrin, that the moisture had not been limited to the kitchen. The errant dishwater had run down the wall and created in a huge indoor pool in what used to be the basement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shortly thereafter my mother called me for advice. After I heard the extent of the damage as she described this mom-made torrential downpour, the swollen cabinetry and subfloor, and the lake dad was now considering stocking with fish downstairs, I chastised her (in a loving son sort of way) for not having called her insurance company first. She confided that she was a bit embarrassed about her “senior moment” and was convinced her insurance didn’t cover acts of stupidity. The purpose of insurance is to make sure that personal disasters don’t become financial disasters. So I told her to hang up and call her insurance agent right away, which she did. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Insurance paid for all of the repairs. Mom hired a contractor she was comfortable with who gave her some great design advice (tooting my own horn just a little) and helped get her whole again. She now has a kitchen she loves even more than the original and jokes she should have had that senior moment years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">The scary part is what might have happened if she had failed to call her insurance fearing they wouldn’t cover foolishness or that her folly might cause her insurance premiums to go up. Not only could there have been potential health hazards like mold growing unseen behind the wall board, but had something else happened as a result of this accident, she could have voided her insurance entirely. </span><span class="apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">Homeowners have the responsibility to mitigate their loss - fix the problem as quickly as possible in order to keep the cost down. If you fail in this duty your neglect can void your insurance coverage altogether. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The moral of the story is: w</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">hen facing a major home disaster, y</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ou paid for the insurance, use it when you need it - be it natural calamities or disasters of stupidity the absolute worst thing you could do is NOT make the call.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-74408640006008399312010-11-08T14:28:00.000-08:002010-12-08T15:52:14.863-08:0015 Great Christmas Gifts for the DIYer on Your List<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Let’s face it, DIYers are a special breed – you may as well forget buying them a nice sweater, it’ll wind up covered in caulk or paint, HDTV, what for?! Who needs to see Norm Avram in high def anyways... and while they may still enjoy a techno gadget or two, a new impact driver is what really gets their engines revving.</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div><div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">If any of this sound familiar, you're not alone - there are support groups... and now the perfect Christmas list from The Dusty Hammer. </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">Our crack team of bloggers have scoured the web - for almost an hour ;o) and have underdeveloped this semi-inclusive list of 15 cool gifts with the DIY recipient in mind.</span></div><div style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"> </span></div></div><div><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;">While we can</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;"> appreciate the merits of a gift like the</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-CLPK21-120-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Combo/dp/B001IZZDE4?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Bosch 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Driver Combo Set</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1025" width="1" /><span class="apple-style-span"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">(</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">that even now gets us a little light headed just typing about) w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">e've largely Ignored the standard DIY gifts - </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">choosing instead to focus on an assortment of unique gifts that are sure to make even the most discerning DIYer light up (and their circle of friends turn green with envy). </span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><h1 style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_041WJ060000P">CRAFTSMAN HEATED WORK JACKET </a><u1:p></u1:p></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqR19cpqocK2rh9KAzXegzA80HrTO3GqWQc84Y7OdTR1qcrVD03WuCsW13UcXuSkIKsJs2Bw79eiJbh32fpOKQjr0FU2eV1YR5cq5jjQaVuwvpduIKOJsPWrdue3CmqfONGaXanju5CA/s1600/041WJ060000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqR19cpqocK2rh9KAzXegzA80HrTO3GqWQc84Y7OdTR1qcrVD03WuCsW13UcXuSkIKsJs2Bw79eiJbh32fpOKQjr0FU2eV1YR5cq5jjQaVuwvpduIKOJsPWrdue3CmqfONGaXanju5CA/s200/041WJ060000.jpg" width="182" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Sears calls it revolutionary workwear, we call it "toasty goodness." With three temperature settings between 85-110 degrees F, this little heat producing treasure will keep the handyperson in your life working on that honey-do list long into the frigid months of the year. The rechargeable system keeps the temperature nice and balmy for up to 5 hours and with a two-year wear-out warranty this stylish work jacket will be around for the long haul. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><h1 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></h1><h1 style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></h1><h1 style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 11.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tooks-CLASSIC-Headphone-Removable-Headphones/dp/B0036ZZ704?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">TOOKS CLASSIC HEADPHONE BEANIE<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0036ZZ704" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></a></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1028" width="1" /><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1029" width="1" /></span></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><u1:p></u1:p><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No doubt you’ve seen beanies with built-in headphones before, but most of ‘em are ill-fitting, substandard and totally unstylish - thus rendering them useless. <u1:p></u1:p></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tooks-CLASSIC-Headphone-Removable-Headphones/dp/B0036ZZ704?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Tooks CLASSIC Headphone Hat With Built-in Removable Headphones - COLOR: GRAY" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0036ZZ704&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thankfully</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tooks headphone hats</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">are the real deal: cranium-snuggling beanies</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">with high quality integrated ‘phones. And unlike crummy rivals these ultra-comfy babies actually cover your ears. Tooks Headphone Hats’ internal ‘phones stay flush with your lugholes no matter how much head- banging you do. Keeping your head warm and your earphones in place has never been easier.</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><br />
<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zippo-Outdoor-Handwarmer-Silver-10-25/dp/B0034C6GDG?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">ZIPPO HAND WARMER</a></span></b></span><b style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1030" width="1" /><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1031" width="1" /></span></b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zippo-Handy-Warmer-Hand/dp/B0013POXNG?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Zippo Handy Warmer - Hand Warmer" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0013POXNG&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0013POXNG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Cold hands, warm heart… what a bunch of hooey. If their hands are icy you can bet your frozen bottom the rest of them is pretty darn cold too. Oh sure, you could get ‘em those fingerless wool</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1033" width="1" /><span class="apple-style-span">glove numbers with the little mitten cover that Velcros down. But to really impress your buddies you gotta have the latest and greatest not last year's must have. The maker’s of the worlds most iconic lighter have come to the rescue of frostbitten handymen the world over with their</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">ultra stylish Zippo Hand Warmer. </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1034" width="1" /><span class="apple-style-span">This little stainless steel puppy is more than just a pretty face; radiating up to</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><b>ten times more heat</b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">than rival hand warmers and up to</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><b>12 hours</b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">with a single 12ml filling of lighter fuel – and all that</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><b>without a flame!</b> Harnessing the power of catalytic combustion (as best as I can figure it’s like having a full-on fire in your pocket without all the burning ashes) the guys at Zippo have come up with one cool gift that’s sure to keep ‘em warm!</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/MagnoGrip-311-090-Magnetic-Wristband/dp/B000WU9LCQ?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">MAGNOGRIP</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1035" width="1" /></span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/MagnoGrip-311-090-Magnetic-Wristband/dp/B000WU9LCQ?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="MagnoGrip 311-090 Magnetic Wristband" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000WU9LCQ&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What do you get when you cross a high powered magnet with a 80s style tennis wristband? The<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000WU9LCQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> prototype for the next must have tool. Sure, at first glance the Magnogrip looks kinda like a Power Ranger action bracelet, but how many times have you gotten the muffled call from the crawl space </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">under your house to pass a 2” screw through the heating vent? </span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Screws, nails, bolts, or whatever other little metal pieces DIYers are forever searching for can now be held securely in place thanks to this little hummer. Your DIYer will love having full use of both hands while still keeping their fasteners close by. And you'll love them keeping those little things out of their mouth - which means they can now call you for other important things, like hailing the fire department to help them off the roof.</span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><u1:p><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"> </span></u1:p> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"> <a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/led-wooden-alarm-clock-speakers">BIRCH CLOCK</a></span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9_PW_iD_VB2adtxaI_LeOVqjaPTXnzxzja9eUSvV1CVn0vvQJqxW-x47O7Ky2uRYaQB_RV36YIYuxU9meQescU352YZvW3xpPRrClzUS4wcBuj4TOra7rNQ-UjYR-ZItk8KouGJVMrk/s1600/18938_zoom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9_PW_iD_VB2adtxaI_LeOVqjaPTXnzxzja9eUSvV1CVn0vvQJqxW-x47O7Ky2uRYaQB_RV36YIYuxU9meQescU352YZvW3xpPRrClzUS4wcBuj4TOra7rNQ-UjYR-ZItk8KouGJVMrk/s200/18938_zoom1.jpg" width="169" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9_PW_iD_VB2adtxaI_LeOVqjaPTXnzxzja9eUSvV1CVn0vvQJqxW-x47O7Ky2uRYaQB_RV36YIYuxU9meQescU352YZvW3xpPRrClzUS4wcBuj4TOra7rNQ-UjYR-ZItk8KouGJVMrk/s1600/18938_zoom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="float: right;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a><o:p><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-style: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Forget counting the rings of a tree - this </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">birch wood<span style="font-style: inherit;"> block actually tells the time! T</span><span style="font-style: inherit;">hanks to a bright LED projector and a clever projection method through thin veneers of wood, this </span>unremarkable<span style="font-style: inherit;"> looking piece of birch becomes a really cool clock with a "magic" digital</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">display<span style="font-style: inherit;">. </span></span></span></span></o:p></span><br />
<div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Not only does it include the standard 12/24 hour time format, date, alarm with 6-cycle snooze, it also includes a night/economic power mode where the LED brightness automatically reduces between 6pm and 7am and even conceals two internally powered speakers, strategically placed for optimum audio output of your connected portable device (iPod, MP3, MP4, etc). It's almost a whole new classification of cool - DIY geek chic.</span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-size: small; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/-GLOWBRICK-GREEN-Glow-Brick-Green/dp/B0012V3N6O?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">GLOW BRICK</a></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1037" width="1" /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h4><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glow-Brick-Blue-Night-Light/dp/B000Z8F8WW?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Glow Brick Blue Night Light" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B000Z8F8WW&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Behold the "Glow Brick." We weren't quite sure where to classify this little guy, perhaps sometimes cool things shouldn't be classified - just admired. This weird and wonderful block of acrylic is a deliciously strange piece of lighting, it contains a disembodied phosphorescent light <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000Z8F8WW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />bulb that seems to float within its transparent surroundings. As darkness falls, </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the bulb begins to glow a ghostly shade of green or blue, gently bathing its surroundings in ethereal light.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stranger till, the Glow Brick seems to be powered by phantom forces, there's no power cord, battery box or on/off switch. But don't go jumping under the bed in distress just yet - this ingenious piece of mood lighting is actually solar powered. By day, the Glow Brick serves as an eye-catching tabletop ornament soaking up natural light, by night, well... it really has to be seen to be disbelieved. </span></span></span></span></h4><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/wrench-desk-caddy-and-pliers-pencil-cup">RECLAIMED TOOL DESK CADDY</a></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h4><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBsD8DaAmmT1Kc8pe96q46YXlVrxaFUMdWCmRYva251bvHZ1iZPJNQKCRJ9k1PlhssRs5MmsZUjQp_KsDZluaRW8exi7BISX9jfGjnGl19tOsIkMBGLAfw8efV4bWtuOWqYey57kg4Ro/s1600/16025_zoom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBsD8DaAmmT1Kc8pe96q46YXlVrxaFUMdWCmRYva251bvHZ1iZPJNQKCRJ9k1PlhssRs5MmsZUjQp_KsDZluaRW8exi7BISX9jfGjnGl19tOsIkMBGLAfw8efV4bWtuOWqYey57kg4Ro/s200/16025_zoom1.jpg" width="169" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBsD8DaAmmT1Kc8pe96q46YXlVrxaFUMdWCmRYva251bvHZ1iZPJNQKCRJ9k1PlhssRs5MmsZUjQp_KsDZluaRW8exi7BISX9jfGjnGl19tOsIkMBGLAfw8efV4bWtuOWqYey57kg4Ro/s1600/16025_zoom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="float: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Uncommongoods.com offers this slick one of a kind desk caddy and pencil cup that is sure to toughen-up even the wimpiest of desks. These unique handmade pieces are comprised of reclaimed tools, metal and rugged welding. It's a handyman's dream - when he has to be at the office.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <u1:p></u1:p></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/wrench-desk-caddy-and-pliers-pencil-cup"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/wrench-desk-caddy-and-pliers-pencil-cup</span></a></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
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</span></div><h4 style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Working-Green-Level-Cufflinks-Boxed/dp/B001PPCEBW?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Working-Green-Level-Cufflinks-Boxed/dp/B001PPCEBW?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966;"> LEVEL CUFFLINKS</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001PPCEBW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001PPCEBW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1039" width="1" /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></h4><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Working-Green-Level-Cufflinks-Boxed/dp/B001PPCEBW?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Working Green Level Cufflinks Gift Boxed" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B001PPCEBW&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For the DIYer who can cut a 2x4 as well as he can “cut a rug.” Outfit <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001PPCEBW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />your favorite handyman </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">with these stylish sterling silver cuff links. Made with real working levels, these </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cuff links<span style="font-style: inherit;"> will be the hit of the party as he displays a bit of his personality with some extra panache. And for under $10 bucks, how can you go wrong? </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><h1 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></span></h1><h1 style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></h1><h1 style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Abernook-Ducti-Wallet-Classic/dp/B0007QQN76?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">DUCTI WALLET (CLASSIC)</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1040" width="1" /></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"></span><span style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1041" width="1" /></span></span></span></h1><h1 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Abernook-Ducti-Wallet-Classic/dp/B0007QQN76?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Ducti Wallet (Classic)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0007QQN76&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What better way to show 'em you care than to say it with Duct Tape. This silvery Super Duct Tape wallet won't lift, peel or get sticky, but it will keep their cards and bills safe in true DIY style. </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Reinforced metal holes <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0007QQN76" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />accommodate a security chain, and the divided billfold, four built-in cardholders and four-page clear plastic insert hold all your necessities. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Give 'em a wallet they'd be proud to show off, whether it's a night on the town or just picking up lumber at the hardware store.</span></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Of course you could forgo the mass made versions and give him/her a custom one of a kind made especially for them using these DIY duct tape wallet plans found at</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/07/instructions_and_pdf_docu.html"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/07/instructions_and_pdf_docu.html</span></span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stick-DIY-Duct-Tape-Projects/dp/0762434945?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Stick It! 99 DIY Duct Tape Projects<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0762434945" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />.</a><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1042" width="1" /></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stick-DIY-Duct-Tape-Projects/dp/0762434945?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Stick It!: 99 DIY Duct Tape Projects" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0762434945&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important; font-size: x-small;"><br />
<img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1044" width="1" /></span><span class="apple-style-span"></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If a duct tape wallet is just not enough of a statement of your affection, take their duct tape obsession to the next level with this imaginative book! Besides simple wallets, your DIYer can sport duct tape jewelry, fashion wear, nifty paper goods and more with this invaluable guide to the world of silver adhesive. The book comes complete with folders and step-by-step directions so you can become a duct tape master. And for a touch of even more - dare I say – class, include a couple rolls of these tricked-out designer variants of our old gray friend.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1045" width="1" /><span class="apple-style-span"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spotted-Leopard-Purpose-Inches-1379347/dp/B003S8SEZO?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="float: left;" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003S8SEZO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Whatever-Works-Designer-Duct-Tape/dp/B003P6ABSW?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Designer Duct Tape" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B003P6ABSW&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003P6ABSW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003S8SEZO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1047" width="1" /><span class="apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Camouflage-Purpose-Inches-1388825/dp/B003S8WG2Q?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Camouflage-Purpose-Inches-1388825/dp/B003S8WG2Q?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Duck Brand Digital Camouflage All Purpose Duck Tape, 1.88 Inches x 10 Yard Single Roll (1388825)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B003S8WG2Q&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003S8WG2Q" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003S8WFRM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1049" width="1" /><span class="apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flames-Purpose-Inches-Single-1407669/dp/B003S8WFRM?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1051" width="1" /><span class="apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/BAZIC-Duct-Tape-1-89-Assorted/dp/B0027Z748M?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/BAZIC-Duct-Tape-1-89-Assorted/dp/B0027Z748M?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="BAZIC Duct Tape, 1.89 Inch x 10 Yard, Assorted" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0027Z748M&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0027Z748M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1053" width="1" /><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snap-870114-16-Inch-Folding-Organizer/dp/B001EHEFTK?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">SNAP-ON FOLDING TOOL ORGANIZER <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001EHEFTK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />SEAT</a></span></b></span><b style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1054" width="1" /></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snap-870114-16-Inch-Folding-Organizer/dp/B001EHEFTK?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Snap-On 870114 16-Inch Folding Tool Organizer Seat" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B001EHEFTK&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The best seat in the house could also be the best place to store your tools. This multi-function handyman's seat from snap-on is not only a stylish place to store their prized tools but a great place to part their keister for a well deserved </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">break. Combining the features of a tool bag and a folding chair, this handy seat made of lightweight steel and water-resistant nylon includes a handy carrying strap and even has a place to store business cards. How's that for thinking of everything?<u1:p></u1:p></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nuts-About-You-Key-Ring/dp/B003IWSARM?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><b>"I'M NUTS ABOUT YOU" KEY CHAI</b><b>N</b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important; font-size: small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003IWSARM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nuts-About-You-Key-Ring/dp/B003IWSARM?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="I'm Nuts About You Key Ring" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B003IWSARM&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If your man is the kind who'll fix anything in your car or your house when you ask him to, it's obvious he's crazy about you: Now you can let him know the feeling<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003IWSARM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> is mutual. This silver and gold plated hardware has a brass key ring and arrives in an "I'm nuts about you" gift box.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11pt;"><u1:p></u1:p></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><h4 style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></h4><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><h4 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/toilet-tie">TOILET TIE</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u1:p></u1:p></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h4><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-size: small; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgCvaRMlk4g6WoHRf_FoX-BsSfPLEc76ZvqD-rJoXZ0dMCCw0InJeZ0uy2CwLkC7xlB2LrC5V3qEOnQBy3ru0NZWSfnvfFIoI6oz6Bfr6KNaHWh8WmrcWowDSSp1dzQjQkDWfAGIMJKg/s1600/14221_zoom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgCvaRMlk4g6WoHRf_FoX-BsSfPLEc76ZvqD-rJoXZ0dMCCw0InJeZ0uy2CwLkC7xlB2LrC5V3qEOnQBy3ru0NZWSfnvfFIoI6oz6Bfr6KNaHWh8WmrcWowDSSp1dzQjQkDWfAGIMJKg/s200/14221_zoom1.jpg" width="169" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Toilet-Tie/dp/B002VMK5DM?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="float: right;" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ndulge his penchant for potty humor by dressing him in this amusing toilet tie. A navy background is discreetly covered in a repeating pattern of tiny golden "thrones," making this a witty gift for those guys who think</span></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1056" width="1" /><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">they are the kings of their castles. With its combination of traditional colors and unexpected iconography, this is the perfect accessory for plumbers everywhere.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-size: small; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-size: small; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/KELVIN-23-Multi-Tool-ENTIRE-TOOLBOX/dp/B0046FX53E?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">KELVIN 23</a></span></b></span><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><img border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="_x0000_i1057" width="1" /></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG85PFCQaRLlaqwQB_Rvpgb77ekkviO80kg_UczkNNmcMUSV8IDXk5Tt0Ftn6JO-g5LpHLty3N5m1AYGJ0auhl5YkuKef6blBtCUY0F27IjFTGhmyvvO2FQyr8knNgvCPTHNzKJE9n7s/s1600/p2306ex11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG85PFCQaRLlaqwQB_Rvpgb77ekkviO80kg_UczkNNmcMUSV8IDXk5Tt0Ftn6JO-g5LpHLty3N5m1AYGJ0auhl5YkuKef6blBtCUY0F27IjFTGhmyvvO2FQyr8knNgvCPTHNzKJE9n7s/s320/p2306ex11.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Have you ever seen a horse crumple with a stone in its hoof? Ever thought to yourself: ‘Man, what I’d give to have a fish scaler right now’? Thought not. So why bother with a clunky multi-tool that’s crammed with superfluous gadgets? Get yourself outfitted </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">for the 21st century with a pocket tool full of </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;">exactly the tools you<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001UFTVNG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> use every day. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kelvin.23 is the boiling point of multi-tools. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You’ll love having everything you need to hand in one rugged cast aluminium body: the Kelvin.23 packs in</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">16</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">different screwdrivers</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, a</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">tape measure</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">,</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">hammer</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">,</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">level</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and even an<b>LED</b></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">for when you’re working in a tight hole. </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This palm-sized baby </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">contains everything you need to take on DIY and minor jobs, like hanging pictures, building shelves, assembling flat-pack furniture or rebuilding civilization after a devastating global war - assuming, of course, that the conflict left enough shelving and pictures behind. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grip-96009-Childrens-Tool-Kit/dp/B001AIU2UO?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><b>GRIP 9 PC CHILDREN'S TOOL SET</b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-color: initial !important; border-width: initial !important; font-size: small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001AIU2UO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grip-96009-Childrens-Tool-Kit/dp/B001AIU2UO?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Grip 9 pc Children's Tool Kit" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B001AIU2UO&tag=thed0a5-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There'll be no crazy Christmas sugar plum dreams from your</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"> littlest handyman this year</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;">... Cuz Santa's bringing drop forged hammers and needle nose pliers! Folks, this cool tool set, made especially for little hands, ain't no cheap plastic dollar store imitation, this is the real thing. Screw drivers, wrenches, scissors (which you may want to hold on to), even a working tape measure! Now that's a tool set any little helper would be proud to put their name on. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the end, remember: If it's the thought that really counts - make sure when they think of the gifts you give them this year, they think "That was AWESOME!"</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Merry Christmas and happy DIYing!</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-9427994004370757712010-11-03T18:09:00.000-07:002010-11-08T15:23:57.055-08:00Interior design - hire a pro or go it alone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf5GXQ0lUEKrH97fVTJRYvKNNC57eNkPM9gynlKeE6puDCL8rfp7bm5-8v4xtOiFzv4ldE-8PQculuUsmLEj7vtWM7WFuLahnmw48Opn8gGfO0AV4EzW2kF4lB040qo_NqMr7pyiK9qQ/s1600/Diva+in+collaboration+with+The+Beverly+Wilshire+Hotel+and+Forbes+Magazine+furnitureseen.com+50_pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf5GXQ0lUEKrH97fVTJRYvKNNC57eNkPM9gynlKeE6puDCL8rfp7bm5-8v4xtOiFzv4ldE-8PQculuUsmLEj7vtWM7WFuLahnmw48Opn8gGfO0AV4EzW2kF4lB040qo_NqMr7pyiK9qQ/s200/Diva+in+collaboration+with+The+Beverly+Wilshire+Hotel+and+Forbes+Magazine+furnitureseen.com+50_pic2.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><h2 style="margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So... you've decided it's high time you do something about your worn </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">pale blue </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">counter-top</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and mustard yellow</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> appliances. Now what? You've got your pile of cut out magazine photos with rooms you like. But can't see exactly how to incorporate this mountain of ideas into a cohesive design. Perhaps only slightly less scary than the faint reminders on your walls of your brief foray into the world of splatter paint, is the terrifying fear that, after spending a good portion of your life's savings, bad design decisions will leave you with the residential equivalent of Frankenstein’s monster - a disjointed mess of pieces and parts. The answer may be one you previously hadn't considered...<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2><h2 style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Call in a designer</span></span></h2><h2 style="margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When the word designer comes up, we often dismiss the idea as a luxury reserved for the "rich and famous." In reality, that's a far cry from the truth. Sure, there are the designers who work exclusively for "A-listers" - and charge accordingly - however, most are relatively inexpensive - especially when you consider the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">disappointment</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, not to mention retinal strain, they can save you down the road. Designers have hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of rooms of experience to draw from. Don't kid yourself, even with your good taste you don't have near the skill a professional designer can bring to the table. They are expert in helping you define the design style fits you and your lifestyle, and adept at giving that style to you within your budget's parameters. Professional design services start for as little as $500 dollars. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 16.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the "grand" scheme of things a half a dozen “Benjamins” is a pretty small price to pay to avoid living out the next few decades in a room that look's eerily similar to a McDonald's Playland. </span></span></h2><h2 style="margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><h2 style="margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><h2 style="margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Punch-Software-23730-Interior-Design/dp/B003VIVY8A?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=thed0a5-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B003VIVY8A&fc1=F9F3F3&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=E5DA17&bc1=7A7474&bg1=7A7474&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></a></h2><h2 style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For the DIYer</span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Fear not DIYers, if you choose to forgo the pro, there are still some good ways of designing your space. For those who prefer to solve problems with dedicated software packages, industrious programmers have provided for a plethora of "Interior design" software packages ranging from simple free <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003VIVY8A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />online one to more in depth options costing thousands dollars. Punch offers a fairly inexpensive </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 36px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">option with</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: 36px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">their <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Punch-Software-23730-Interior-Design/dp/B003VIVY8A?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Interior Design Suite</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003VIVY8A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> - it even has a button that will tell you how to "green" up your project. There’s a fairly steep learning curve to any of these programs, so give yourself a couple of weeks to familiarize yourself with the one you choose – even after you’ve learned the program bear in mind you will still probably not find the exact textures or furniture you are looking for. Most of these are little more than a "dumbed" down computer aided drafting program and unless you plan on devoting the next decade to designing interior spaces they will more than likely leave you feeling less than satisfied. Rather than investing in some expensive software you're likely never to use again, you are better off to keep clipping photos of the rooms you like and consult with people who have done it before – especially if they have done it well. How did they go about it and what would they have done differently.</span></span></span></span></span></h2><h2 style="margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: 36px;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Professionals will tell you to start by selecting a piece of artwork or furniture that you love, and design your room around it. In this way you are less likely to stray for the design plan and are more likely to end up with the beautiful cohesive room you have </span></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><h2 style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">envisioned. </span></span></span></h2></span></span></span></h2><h2 style="margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: 36px;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><h2 style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">This nifty little</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.sproost.com/"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">personal style quiz</span></span></span></a></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">from sproost.com may help you find just such a piece. After clicking through a series of about two dozen photos of different room designs and selecting your level of “like” (or dislike) for each, Sproost gives you a brief assessment of your design leanings along, some information on ways to achieve the style that tickles your fancy and recommendations for décor - including furniture choices and textiles. You can even let your friends know on facebook what style design you are (In case you're wondering, I'm a Zen Contemporary with a dash of Rustic). It’s not all-encompassing by any means but will get you going in the right direction.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h2></span></span></span></h2></span></h2><h2 style="margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16.5pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"> <h2 style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 8.25pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Ultimately whether you choose to go with a designer or choose to DIY it is up to you. But either way, the most important thing you can do is go in with a plan. So give it a shot - or better yet, get a hold of a professional designer and let them help. You could be living like a "A-lister" before you know it!</span></h2><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></span></span></span></h2>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-19462421453598858562010-10-29T23:36:00.000-07:002010-11-03T21:28:58.655-07:00What is good design?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Why do some homes make the cover of magazines while the closest others manage to get is having those same glossy photos taped to the fridge? </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Granted being professionally cleaned and staged doesn’t hurt.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> But the difference goes far deeper than a lack of dust bunnies or a few exotic flowers strategically placed. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">The difference is design – and more specifically good design. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> Good design is not fickle - it doesn’t follow fads, on the contrary fads often fail in their attempt to mimic good design. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Beauty may be only skin deep but good design goes all the way to the bones (of the house that is). </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> I'm not trying to give an example of A good design - at least not this particular post - rather this is an attempt to define design itself. Good design </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt;"> is spatially aware, and understands the necessary functionality of the space - good design </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 24px;">seamlessly integrates the utility of the room with the tastes of the inhabitants of the space.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Think you’re not affected by design? Think again. </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">In a recent Letter from the Editor Architectural Digest’s Paige Rense said “Perhaps you’re not particularly visual and are convinced you pay no attention to your surrounding. </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Wrong. </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">You do. </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Even if you’re not consciously aware of it, you’re affected by colors, scale and lighting, by furniture and whatever is on the walls.”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love architectural digest – it’s one of my favorite publications. However, I think Ms. Rense’s letter, missed the mark a bit by not delineating the difference between decorating and designing. Décor, in my opinion, is only part of what makes up a good design. Good design is both aesthetically pleasing as well as (and probably more importantly) functional. A functionally unusable space will eventually fail and fall out of favor, no matter how pretty it is. But, when both beauty and utility combine in a space then you have a room that won’t go out of style. Tastes may change, fads will come and go, but good design will always be appreciated irregardless of the whims of society. And, more often than not, societal trends will come back to reflect such de</span>signs</span>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">In short, design is an attempt to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial;">enrich our lives and allow our best selves to come forth through beauty and function - and a good design does just that. </span><br />
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</span></div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=thed0a5-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1580113176&fc1=F9F3F3&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=E5DA17&bc1=7A7474&bg1=7A7474&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span></span></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-top: 2.4pt;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-11738888302092636402010-10-28T08:23:00.000-07:002010-10-28T10:01:28.324-07:00Study: 95% of Green-Marketed Products Utilize Misleading Claims<h1 style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: grey; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">EcoHome article:<o:p></o:p></span></i></h1><h1 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 22.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1><h1 style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><i>In the 2010 edition of its “Sins of Greenwashing” report, environmental marketing company<span class="apple-converted-space"> Terrachoice</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>found some form of greenwashing in more than 95% of consumer products labeled as “green.” Greenwashing is the d<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="text-decoration: none;">eceptive</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">use of</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> green PR</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">or</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> green marketing</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">in order to promote a misleading perception that a company's policies or</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> products</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">(such as</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> goods</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">or</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> services</span><span class="apple-style-span">) are environmentally friendly</span><span class="apple-style-span">. </span>The construction sector by itself fared only slightly better, with greenwashing evidence in close to 94% of </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><i>eco-marketed products.</i></span></h1><h1 style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></i></i></span></h1><h1 style="line-height: 22.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=thed0a5-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0945257775&fc1=F9F3F3&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=E5DA17&bc1=403B3B&bg1=403B3B&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>On a positive note, that 95% is an improvement over last year, in which only 2% of studied products were free of greenwashing (and only 1% in 2007).</span></i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 24px;"><i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The study examined close to 5,300 home and family care products, including building and construction, toys, office, housewares, and health and beauty. Read the rest of the article a</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">t</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> <a href="http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/news/2010/10/study-95-of-green-marketed-products-utilize-misleading-claims.aspx">ecohomemagazine.com</a></span></i></i></span></i></span></h1><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-74912602463475915802010-10-27T16:54:00.000-07:002010-10-28T16:50:47.815-07:00Fire Alarms - 15 minutes, could save 15% or more<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcMc4lCM5uzzsvueZXzdF3NtXiwRdNFlAtdXD_5DAgrJhpRxsnzWSFtyw9o4D29IA2ePNuOzwdMNqkRIPu7MiJMaDSWhx5kFlo5IvT1VufeaiBjts8S5oFgMTCD-rJLAVAX4trKJ7xTM/s1600/10252010-detroit-fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcMc4lCM5uzzsvueZXzdF3NtXiwRdNFlAtdXD_5DAgrJhpRxsnzWSFtyw9o4D29IA2ePNuOzwdMNqkRIPu7MiJMaDSWhx5kFlo5IvT1VufeaiBjts8S5oFgMTCD-rJLAVAX4trKJ7xTM/s320/10252010-detroit-fire.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Actually the savings are much closer to 80%, only it's not insurance rates... it's fire related deaths. Deaths that could have been prevented by smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, or fire extinguishers. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In the time it takes you to read this paragraph, an estimated 110 house fires will be have been reported somewhere in the world (that's 117,000,000 each year). More people are killed annually in the United States by fires than all other U.S. natural disasters combined. The importance of having smoke detectors installed is all but undisputed, yet approximately 80 percent of all home-fire deaths occur in homes with no alarms or alarms that aren't working. How unfortunate it is that, a few minutes and/or the cost of what it takes to treat your sweetie to a big mac meal under “the Golden Arches,” could have prevented most of those deaths. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SMOKE DETECTORS</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">Look up at your ceiling and you'll probably find one. Today, some 95% of homes in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place> have at least one smoke detector installed. But when is the last time you checked to see if yours is functioning properly. Unfortunately, 20% of the homes with smoke detectors installed have units that don't work – not because the alarm itself is broken (which rarely happens) but because either A) the batteries are dead or B) the batteries were removed to prevent false alarms.</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt;">The smoke alarm check is simple: push the test button on the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">outer</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt;"> casing of the detector. If it doesn't work (you’ll know by the lack of ear piercing screeching), change the batteries. Even if your home’s alarms are hard-wired (connected to the house electrical system) they should still have batteries as a backup - to take over in case of a power failure; batteries should checked or replaced regularly - at least once a year is recommended.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Probably the biggest complaint against smoke detectors are false alarms. Who hasn’t spent time perched precariously atop a wobbly chair flapping a towel vigorously trying to silence the screaming alarm that picked up the scent of burnt toast. <span class="apple-style-span">The two most common culprits of false alarms are bathroom steam and kitchen cooking smoke. </span>Though i<span class="apple-style-span">t goes against some safety guidelines, as a practical matter, if you're about to disable a detector due to false alarms, before you do something that could potentially cost you or a loved one’s life, how about just moving it instead. You may be out of “code” compliance but if the alternative is to disable the device I would rather be guilty of a small infraction of the building code than become a statistic. </span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P6pe52RaLVJxw54Hq3rJHzPv3bKuhaAHxV3ZCSA_KxtRnH_XfZ4-eSCg64lF7rwjHNXmiRTuHIr4qA7hgREpG0Awdl1i9QWjzEit7z7EwccMVvrPqGrgl7uxuW9-Ie2PEp2CJvP-eWc/s1600/f1684fe5-928c-47bf-bc23-8c81f211e9c9_100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P6pe52RaLVJxw54Hq3rJHzPv3bKuhaAHxV3ZCSA_KxtRnH_XfZ4-eSCg64lF7rwjHNXmiRTuHIr4qA7hgREpG0Awdl1i9QWjzEit7z7EwccMVvrPqGrgl7uxuW9-Ie2PEp2CJvP-eWc/s1600/f1684fe5-928c-47bf-bc23-8c81f211e9c9_100.jpg" /></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) DETECTORS</span></b></span></span></span></span><br />
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Alt<span class="apple-style-span">hough most homes in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> have smoke detectors, less than half have carbon monoxide detectors installed. Carbon monoxide is the byproduct of incomplete combustion. It is a colorless and odorless gas. Often symptoms of low to moderate carbon monoxide poisoning are mistaken for the flu, food</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> poisoning </span><span class="apple-style-span">or other illnesses – if left unchecked these may develop into </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">long term health problems</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Lethal dosages of CO don’t necessarily come from a large leak and can build rapidly</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span">There are several types of CO detectors. The most common is electromagnetic. It reacts to high concentrations that pose an immediate threat, and to minor leaks that can be hazardous over time.</span><br />
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<span class="apple-style-span">Basic units from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q5VMKG?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000Q5VMKG">First Alert</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000Q5VMKG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002N86A?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00002N86A">Kidde</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00002N86A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> cost about $30. then again why not kill two birds with one stone, for about the same price you can install combo units like the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004WA4C?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00004WA4C">Kidde KN-COSM-B</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00004WA4C" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (this smart little unit even talks to tell you which potential danger is present). Combo units are a great options near mechanical rooms and common corridors. Most carbon monoxide detectors run on battery power or plug into wall outlets, although some models can be hard-wired to the electrical system and connected to whole-house monitoring systems. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span">The seasonal check for CO alarms is almost the same as smoke alarms but also requires cleaning the sensor inlets using a soft vacuum brush in order to ensure the detection chambers remain clear of debris that could impede performance.</span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FIRE EXTINGUISHERS</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <br />
Every home should have a fire extinguisher. Because house fires can be from multiple sources y<span class="apple-style-span">ou want an A-B-C-rated extinguisher like the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002ND64?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00002ND64">Kiddie Multi-purpose Fire Extinguisher</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00002ND64" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> ($25.63 at amazon). The A-B-C rating means it’s capable of extinguishing all fire types - wood(A), chemical(B), and electrical fires(C) - Some extinguishers use graphical representations of each type instead of letters but it means the same thing. These fire extinguishers typically have a fairly long shelf life but should be checked annually to ensure their charge level stays in the green. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PB6R2I?ie=UTF8&tag=thed0a5-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001PB6R2I">The First Alert Tundra </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thed0a5-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001PB6R2I" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> ($14.49 at amazon)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> looks like run of the mill aerosol spray can but is A-B-C rated and can be stored where it is easily accessible. The units can not be recharged. Check the performance date and replace as needed per the instructions on the canister. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? In this case an ounce of prevention could save your life and avoid having the fire department smashing down your door and drenching your house with high pressure water hoses – but i suppose the former sounds a little better. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-7126859257067279492010-10-26T13:00:00.000-07:002010-10-28T00:45:42.323-07:00I wish I knew THAT before my remodel!<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">At the end of a show, most good theater groups will conduct a post mortem -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> an evaluation of the performance and ways to improve.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">At the end of a remodel I often have a similar evaluation with my client(s).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">A favorite question is what they wish they had known or done before the project started.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">The answers run the gambit from the necessity of a nice robe - so as not to be caught unawares fresh out of the shower to a person’s limit on fast food and takeout.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Most "I wish I knew" responses have to do with either 1) time or 2) money (and in most cases both). Here’s a few common responses</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> to the post remodel post mortem from some recent kitchen renovations and some suggestions on how you can avoid these pitfalls (or at least prepare for them).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial;">First it is important to remember that kitchen remodels are stressful. Statistically they are the most expensive and lengthy renovation projects. The first suggestion is go in with the understanding it will be stressful. During a renovation your house is in a constant state of flux (sometimes looking more like chaos than progress), you are living in an often dusty unfinished project for an extended period of time, and, if you hire a professional, you have people regularly in “your space.” Prepare for the impact that this will have. Some good advice from clients a few clients who have recently gone through this process is plan a few evenings away. It's okay to leave the “cloud of progress” behind for a few hours or even a few days. Plan visits to friends and family or an evening out on the town. It doesn’t have to be a huge event, even a visit to the next door neighbors, can do wonders for maintaining healthy levels of sanity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Renovating a kitchen typically means you will be without a functioning kitchen for at least a few days - depending on the scale this could be considerably longer. Make sure you have budgeted for the time you will be eating out (and maybe a few sessions at the gym – 3 months eating under the golden arches won’t do you any favors) or make arrangements with your General Contractor to have a temporary kitchen set up. This can be as simple as a couple of cabinets in the garage to store some basic items (utensils and such) and a place to put the microwave, hotplate, etc. It may not be the most ideal place to prepare your meals for the next few months but it gets the job done and may save you having to spring for that gym membership. If you choose this route, don’t forget about where an accessible sink is to wash dishes - you may also want to store the coffeemaker near it. Whatever your decision, be sure to discuss your options prior to the first swing of the sledge hammer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Unless you change something or something happens that is beyond the contractor’s control (something they could not have reasonably planned for) your price should be what was quoted. When you, as the customer, have made a change to the scope of the project this is called a “change order.” Change orders generally mean more money as well as more time. The final “I wish I knew” (for this blog anyway) is how quickly change orders can add up. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s easy to overlook the rapidly growing bottom line when you don’t see it in front of you regularly. Regularly updated invoices with the recent change orders listed (especially during a lengthy project) can prevent a plethora of financial woes down the road and help keep you within your budget or at least allow you to make a more educated decision on whether or not you can afford the change you are considering. Change can be a good thing, but bare in mind it rarely comes without a dollar sign attached. Also keep in mind each change order can potentially set back the project weeks - before making your decision make sure you understand what it will "cost" monetarily and in time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The biggest mistake a homeowner can make is not communicating. Whether you're doing the project yourself or you hire a professional, communication is the key. It can make the difference between a project you’re just glad is over and a beautifully renovated kitchen worthy of a standing ovation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy Remodeling<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5297186537159568812.post-29026179950836857152010-10-25T17:39:00.000-07:002010-10-26T13:33:06.562-07:00Heavy news - Lighter Drywall<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg9k8wsYJsIrLQ9RgKeeTZdcCvoOwKz7Jo80qK51Bu8-2biZjTEtYI27NTFEv1Oa6xmNe1B0rzf91fjeA-Cc8oe3I9q3jTAwRaMEADWl3JpICLSkn5jtSc8Q2CJ7bEWDh9nxuGaGKE9Q/s1600/SheetrockHERO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg9k8wsYJsIrLQ9RgKeeTZdcCvoOwKz7Jo80qK51Bu8-2biZjTEtYI27NTFEv1Oa6xmNe1B0rzf91fjeA-Cc8oe3I9q3jTAwRaMEADWl3JpICLSkn5jtSc8Q2CJ7bEWDh9nxuGaGKE9Q/s200/SheetrockHERO.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">The old adage “worth its weight in gold” may be getting a bit of an overhaul. During a press conference in July of this year the President of the United States Gypsum (USG) Company – the original inventers of drywall – announced the launch of a new product dubbed Sheetrock Ultra-light. This new and improved version of the old classic promises to shave up to 30% off the weight of conventional drywall products without losing structural integrity. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Though it took a little getting used to, when builders finally realized the benefits of Sheetrock over traditional lathe and plaster methods it changed the industry. Construction projects could be completed with significantly less labor in a fraction of the time, which meant huge savings to both builder and client. Since its introduction in the early 1900s, Sheetrock has remained relatively unchanged. A few years ago however, USG went back to the drawing board and “reinvented” Sheetrock from a molecular level. According to USG <span class="apple-style-span">the drywall panels “utilize colloidal chemistry to feature a significantly higher strength-to-weight ratio and improved sag resistance.” In layman’s terms - they figured out how to lighten the load without sacrificing strength. After more than 2 years of field testing the new product it is finally ready for its debut. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Arial;">D</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">rywallers and do-it-yourselfers around the globe rejoiced as they held hands and sang “What a Wonderful World.” Okay, maybe they didn’t actually hold hands and sing but it is pretty exciting – at least as exciting as drywall can be. What used to be two man job – lugging and hanging heavy sheets of drywall – can now conceivably be a single person project – at the very least, you’ve lessened the fatigue factor considerably, not to mention the recovery time from that weekend warrior remodel project. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Currently Sheetrock Ultralight is available at Home Depots in a select cities. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.homedepot.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOM/HomePage/Commerce/Building_Supplies/Drywall/Docs/UltraLightPanels-THDStores9-8-2010.pdf">Click here</a> to find out if your Home Depot is carrying it yet. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">If the lighter wallboard has not hit your city store shelves just yet, not to worry, the nationwide roll-out should happen soon.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">While the new Sheetrock does “weigh in” at a slightly higher price tag (approximately 10% over conventional), think of how nice it will be to never again have to beg the next door neighbor to give you a hand ‘hauling 100lb sheets of drywall into the garage – that in itself is “worth it’s weight in gold” (and 30% lighter to boot).</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy remodeling<o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0