DIY Toolbox
Rosemary on May 26th, 2008
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If you like to repair things around your home or apartment, then you need to have some basic tools available in your toolbox. I’m a DIYer and I have my own DIY toolbox with all the necessities. You don’t need to have everything but having these will make the job much simpler. Even things as simple as Velcro can make a job easier. Lisa Hoover wrote a great article which lists all of the DIY uses for Velcro.
- “Velcro is one of the handiest tricks around for home improvement and decorating projects. It’s available at big retail stores, small craft stores, and even at some grocery stores. It’s cheap, comes in several different colors, and is available in sheets, squares, strips, and dots of all sizes. Velcro is very strong, yet removes easily from most surfaces (test first in an inconspicuous area). To use, just cut it to the size you need, peel the paper backing off both sides, and stick in place. ” http://www.diylife.com/2007/06/25/inside-the-diy-toolbox-velcro-is-your-friend/
So let’s go ahead and stock the DIY toolbox and don’t forget the Velcro.
Screwdrivers - a great thing to keep handy is a multi-function screwdriver that has several different tips that are stored in the handle. In addition, you should have a set of Phillips and slotted-head screwdrivers and a set of small screwdrivers. Each set will come with different sizes for different jobs.
Hammer - another necessity for the toolbox. I like to keep a large one, 12 ounce, for heavy jobs and smaller one for simple jobs.
Pliers - adjustable pliers which are great for working on plumbing and in tight spots like under sinks and in cabinets.
Wrench - an adjustable wrench for use with nuts and bolts. This is essential in the toolbox since it is used for tightening and assembling.
Level - at least a 10 inch level, preferably longer, is needed for hanging items on walls in order to determine if they are straight. You will need this to hang things such as curtain rods, pictures, shelving, etc.
Ladder - a small utility step ladder is good to keep around but a regular step ladder (8 foot is the preferred) is a necessity in order to reach high places for doing things such as changing light bulbs, painting, even changing curtains. It’s much safe to use a ladder than standing on chairs.
Caulking Gun - this along with a spare tube of caulking is good to have around for those unexpected times when you discover something needs to be sealed such as windows or doors.
Utility Knives - along with extra blades for heavy duty cutting. Make sure to purchase the retracting kind which is much safer.
Hot Glue Gun - great to keep in your toolbox along with glue sticks.
Vise Grips - otherwise known as locking pliers. I use this as a third hand sometimes.
Tape Measure - every home and DIY toolbox needs a good tape measure.
Yard Stick - this is best if it is 36 inch metal yard stick. This will even guide you when cutting a straight line.
Goggles, dust mask and ear protection - always a must for safety and you never know when you may need them.
Drill - this is a must and the cordless are easy to use.
Jig Saw - in my toolbox, this is a must. I have made many things using a jig saw and a piece of wood.
Sponge Paint Brushes - cheap, disposable and easy to reach for when needed for touchups..
Cordless Screwdriver - not a necessity but is nice to use as long as you have it charged.
Sand Paper
It is a must in my house that I have my own toolbox that no one else touches so that when I find something that needs to be done, I can get right on it. It’s a habit for me to scour the discount stores for tools in search for something new and inexpensive. Many times my husband comes to me for that needed tool that can be only found in my DIY toolbox.
Do you like to DIY and have your own toolbox? Go ahead and share it. I might be missing something important.
Using Mirrors
When you find yourself shopping endlessly in search of that special piece of art or headboard for a bed and you are trying to live on a budget, do what I always do. Go and purchase a mirror. I have found that decorating with mirrors can be so much fun and won’t take a bite out of your wallet.
- “The general idea when you use mirrors to decorate is to use them in a way that takes advantage of their light-enhancing and reflective qualities. More specifically, designer Pamela Heyne gives these tips:Use large-scale mirrors. Heyne, for example, had two floor-to-ceiling mirrors built in on either side of her fireplace, as shown, to make the room seem larger and to reflect objects with texture, such as a nearby ficus.” http://www.hgtv.com
So you think that a mirror has it’s place over the bathroom sink or over the bedroom dresser. The reality is you can put mirrors in every room of your house. What is great about them is that they add light and dimension to a room making it appear larger. Simple mirrors are inexpensive and come in different sizes from regular tile size 12 inches by 12 inches to wall size. You can even use behind-the-door mirrors for different projects. Trying using them creatively with these ideas in mind:
- Hang a picture size mirror on the opposite wall from a window. This will reflect light coming in from the window and make the room appear larger. Remember, the larger the wall is, the larger the mirror needs to be.
- Glue a mirror behind a bed in place of a headboard. Depending on the size of the bed, you may need to purchase more than one mirror. Drape a sheer curtain scarf above the center top of the mirror and along the sides. You’ll be surprised at the elegant look you will achieve for an ordinary bed.
- Place smaller mirrors at the back of bookcases, shelves and even a dining hutch. It will reflect whatever is on the shelf. In a hutch, the volume of glassware will appear to double. These are projects where a behind-the-door-mirror may come in handy.
- Many homes today have wet bars. This is another great place to place a mirror.
- Instead of using ordinary tile, glue mirrors to the counter top back splash in your kitchen.
- Behind-the-door mirrors are great for louvered bi-fold doors. Make sure to measure each door for width and then purchase inexpensive long mirrors. Gluing a mirror to each one will make it appear as though you have mirrored doors and also will expand the room.
- Place a mirror on the tops of furniture. You can do this on a dresser, night stand or even a coffee table.
- Place small mirrors under candles. They will reflect the light and flicker of the candles when they are lit.
The reflective properties of mirrors is magnificent and when used in conjunction with windows and light, it creates an illusion of space. Just be sure to purchase the correct hardware when hanging a mirror or the correct adhesive when gluing a mirror.
So the next time you need a quick decorating fix, you’re on a budget and you don’t know what to do, head the nearest store and pick up some mirrors. Once you start decorating with mirrors, you will always use them to complete your décor.
Have you ever decorated with mirrors? Go ahead and post your ideas of other uses for mirrors around the home.
Outdoor Living Room
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Rosemary on April 15th, 2008
I have to admit that we are spoiled living here in Florida where most of the year the weather is fairly pleasant. Because of this, seven years ago we decided to bring our living outdoors and attempted to make the most of our yard by adding some outdoor decor. We wanted a place to entertain family and friends without the confines of the house. It has actually turned out to be a great thing since there is so much room outdoors and the house never gets dirty when we have guests visiting. Creating an outdoor living room is one of the best improvements we have made to our home.
In recent years, most of the major stores have started to carry a large amount of outdoor living décor. These items have really become big sellers. There are so many things to choose from and so many different ideas out there.
If you want to create an outdoor living room, you need to think about what you want it to include. Today, it goes way beyond lawn furniture. See if you find any of these ideas appealing and add them to your list.
- Of course you will need furniture. It can be anything from plastic to cushioned chairs and sofas. Remember if you purchase outdoor furniture, make sure it has outdoor fabric.
- Today, there are beautiful fireplaces that are made just for outdoors. A more inexpensive version is a fire pit. You can also purchase these in stores or build one yourself. If building one, make sure to use fire brick on the inside. You will also need to use mortar made especially for use with fire. These can be purchased at your home improvement store. Make it your own style. We recycled old pavers by using them on the outside of the fire pit to give it an old stone look.
- There are stereo speakers that are made for outdoors. They are cleverly hidden in fake rocks and can be a nice addition to your backyard space.
- There are all types of outdoor lighting available from low voltage to solar to lanterns. You can create a really nice atmosphere by using solar lighting and candle lit lanterns. Don’t forget about those holiday lights. Wrap those around trees and bushes for a twinkling light effect.
- You can purchase a grill or you can build one. Again, if you build one, remember to use fire brick on the inside. We built ours which includes counter space on both sides and cabinets underneath. When it’s cold out, we are able to also use it as a fireplace.
- You can use pre-formed pavers on the ground. Another alternative is to pour concrete. If you have concrete on the ground, get creative with it. While it is curing, press trinkets into it. Paint it freehand with an interesting design or use stencils. Just make sure to seal it when it has dried so that it last for several years.
These are just a few ideas of what you can do outside. We have done all of them and enjoy it more each year. Our project for this year just might be a small version of a miniature golf course. It’s a lot of fun to come up with new ideas for creating an outdoor living room for entertaining. The added bonus is that your guests will love it.
I’d love to hear more ideas of what can be done to create an outdoor living room. Please post and share your ideas or what you have already done.
Painting Concrete
Last year we ran into a dilemma with our patio concrete floor. The indoor/outdoor carpet was quite worn from years of traffic and so we decided to remove it. Once it was gone, we found ourselves looking at a bare, gray concrete floor that was uneven and rough. To make matters worse, every time someone entered the house through the patio, a track of concrete dust and sand was left behind on the wood floor of our family room. Since we were undecided about how we were going to cover this floor, I began to look into a quick and inexpensive fix. I found that painting the concrete floor was the cheapest fix I could find.
“Painting concrete is normally only considered when it is required to cover an existing slab. For instance, after a crack has been repaired and then a concrete colorant can be used to cover the blemish.” http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/decorative/painting.htm
If you would like to try this, here are the steps we took.
Clean the floor and Repair
Using the hose, spray the concrete floor to remove most of the dirt. After it has dried, vacuum it to further remove any dust and loose sand. Concrete filler can be purchased at any home improvement store or local hardware store. Use this to repair any cracks in order to prevent further damage.
Make A Pattern
Using masking tape, create a pattern. We created a block pattern to resemble 18 inch by 18 inch tiles. You can mask just about any type of pattern you want.
Painting
You will need to purchase exterior house paint that is suitable for concrete or stucco. This is usually very inexpensive paint. The amount you will need is based on the amount of concrete your are going to paint. You can also have this colored to match the exterior of your home or any other color that you want. I also purchased a bottle of paint flecks. These are small multi-colored flecks of paint that come in a shaker bottle and can be purchased in several different colors.
Starting in the far corner, use a roller and begin painting the pattern you have created. You will need to do a small area at a time. While the paint is wet, begin shaking on the paint flecks. This is easier when done by two people, one paints while the other flecks. Remove the masking tape as you are going along. Let the entire floor dry for at least 24 hours.
Seal
When completely dry, put on a sealer which can be done with a roller. Since we were planning on this to be a temporary fix, we used inexpensive cans of clear spray sealer and just sprayed it on. Again, let it dry completely before walking on it.
This solved our problem and we no longer had dust and sand being tracked into the house. Over a year has passed since we completed this project and our painted and speckled concrete floor still looks great. In fact, it looks so good that we haven’t even thought about changing it. It has held up extremely well considering the large amount of traffic it handles. Some people even thought that we had laid down tile. Painting concrete floors is an easy and inexpensive project that will hide any imperfections. The entire project cost $24.00 and looks like it is going to last for quite a few years.
If you have ever painted a concrete floor and have some more suggestions or ideas, share them with the rest of us here.
Safety at Home
Whether you have children or pets, there are definitely safety issues around every home that have to be addressed. There are so many ways that things can happen especially to children. Take a look at this list and make sure that you are prepared for safety at home.
- Pool fence - if you have a pool, it is essential to have a locked fence around the perimeter of the property. In some areas, it is now the law that a locked fence be put directly around the pool in order to avoid accidents.
- Pool alarms - a good thing to have if there are young children. It will sound an alarm if someone falls into the water.
- Cabinet safety latches and locks - needed where there are young children to keep them away from harmful chemical or drugs. These should be put on kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Remember to keep all medications and drugs locked and out of childrens reach at all times.
- Furniture - where there are infants and small children around, soft cushions for the corners of furniture are a good idea.
- Plastic bags and ropes - keep these out of reach of children. They are dangerous.
- Paint - keep out of reach of children. Also scrape away any peeling paint you may find around the home so that a child cannot eat it.
- Baby monitor - this is a good item to have so that you can listen to what is happening in another room especially when children are playing.
- Never leave a baby or child unattended in a bathtub. Use safety harnesses when putting a child in a high chair, carriage or stroller.
- Keep emergency telephone numbers by the telephone at all times especially the poison control number.
- Teach children at an early age what safety is all about, how to use a telephone and how to get help.
Hope this helps everyone when trying to create a safe home to live in. I know I have used all of these at some time and each one is worth considering and using. We can’t prevent everything, but we can sure try and will know that we did our best.
If you have any other safety measures or ideas that you use, please share them with everyone.
