Category: Home Improvements

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Spring cleaning and little repair jobs

While washing down walls the last two days, I have come across some small cracks and little holes in the plaster that need mending. I personally do not even like doing this job at all, but it needs to be done and though it’s just a little project, I know after the repair work is finished I’m going to want to repaint walls that I had just painted last year. And of course I’ll want to paint a fresh new color on the walls. Which means, new color complimenting home decor items.

There are quite a few little home improvement repairs on my “fix it” list this spring. The ceiling fans need new pull chains, and of course I’ll shop for pretty things to put on the end of the chain, which means either going out to stores or shopping online for these.

There are quite a few BIG repairs that need done also, but for them I’m sure I’m going to either scope out DIY books and online tuts for this. One being insulating around my windows and putting up new trim. I know how to do the trim, somewhat. The insulating is another story. For now, I’m sticking to the little jobs I know I can do.

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Old house and ancient plumbing

While remodeling the spare bathroom, we have found that they no longer sell the bath and shower fixtures that will fit our ancient bathtub. The tub is small and is made out of molded cast iron. It’s also on an outside wall. To replace the tub, we would have to totally knock out the whole wall, somehow cut the tub into pieces and then haul that away, put a new tub and plumbing in and also new walls. This means we’d also have to replace the outside wall and siding. What a job.

What makes things worse, is on the other side of the adjacent wall where all the pipes are, is my son’s bedroom. That wall would also have to be knocked out and it is going to be one heck of a major project. The hot water was leaking and we tried to find the right parts to get it at least semi fixed, until we could go a head and do this improvement but my husband had to rig one up, since the hardware stores don’t carry the part.

I had to laugh when we took the parts in, because the man who was to help us looked at the  part, then at us with the most odd look. Like we were asking for something that was from the moon or whatever. He said he hadn’t seen one of these parts since the 40’s and even then they were nearly obsolete. Great. For now, we’ve decided to hold off on this project as long as we can, as we honestly don’t have the funds right at the minute to do a total remodel job. We have just finished the main bathroom. In the mean time, I am going to pick out tile and flooring, paint and at other items I may want to use once that darn tub is out and the plumbing in there is fixed. I can always look shop and get a idea of various prices.

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Curtains or Blinds

I’m debating about going to using blinds in my house instead of the lace curtains I have used for years with variations depending on the season. The family say to get both the curtains and the blinds, but they don’t have to pay for them I do, and my budget is limited when it comes to window coverings.

Right now I have long Irish lace curtains in the living room, which is the room I want to start thinking about for coverings. The windows face the road and on the right east side, face the neighbors. I’m not worried about the neighbors, as there are very large pine bushes that block the window partially and no one can see in. In the front however, I’m glad we know everyone in our small village, because a person can see right into my house, if by chance they are looking.

I guess if I got new summer curtains and also blinds, I could pull the blinds partially down at night, but the other problem besides finances for this improvement since I have six double hung windows, is the fact that I’m terribly claustrophobic. I really like being able to see out, even at night. So now I have something else to mull over and some decisions to make and in the mean time, I still am going to go shopping for new lace curtains for the summer months.

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Decisions for new bathroom flooring

Being totally indecisive on what I want to do with the bathroom floor and my own personal deadline looming over my head, I feel like a contractor under pressure. It’s my own pressure I know, but I’d really like to get the whole bathroom completed before the end of this month.

I’ve visited a load of sites and even have ordered catalogs to browse through to get some ideas, yet I’m still waiting for something to “reach out and grab me” so to speak. Maybe I’m being too particular in what I want. Who knows? Even I don’t know or haven’t made a finial decision yet.

I must admit, that the rest of the main bathroom is coming along great. If it wasn’t for the matter of flooring it actually would be finished by now, except for some trim and accessories. I’m giving myself one more week to decide if I want wood or tile. I’m not into full carpet in a bathroom, especially the main bath, so at least that decision is made. If I can’t make up my mind soon, I’m going to be putting it to a vote for the family and hope they pick something easy to maintain and that isn’t too expensive. Every penny counts in this day and age, considering the economy.

 

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Luxury patio furniture for this summer

Last year while putting away the things that I didn’t want outside during the winter, I decided to look at luxury patio furniture and find a set that I liked. I have even saved up some money to buy myself and my family comfortable chairs and perhaps benches to kick back on and also a big patio table with room enough for my whole brood and the grand kids, neighbors and friends. I even thought about maybe buying two sets, depending on if I could get a good deal and they weren’t really that expensive, yet they had class.

As everyone knows, I like to look on the internet to get ideas, prices and deals on things that I want to buy for my yard or home. I always consider items like this sort of home improvements. I found a place that sells luxury outdoor patio furniture, and has been in the business of furniture and accessories for about 35 years. They carry some really beautiful furniture and also besides being in business for so long, it is family owned and has that family type of atmosphere. This is something I like when I am looking for a place to shop.

I’m really looking forward to getting this furniture. I keep thinking about the kids having friends over and enough places to sit and eat, or just talk and hang out. Also I’m looking for some other patio furniture to go around the pool. If I can find something suitable for that space, I’d absolutely buy them. And of course because of the changeable weather here, I’d need the furniture and accessories to be sturdy and well built. The site I found seems like it is indeed going to fit all my wants and needs for this new home improvement. Looking for these kinds of items makes me want summer to get here even faster now!

 

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Home automation and awsome renovtions to a home

Through out most of my blog I’ve mentioned in blog posts that I would love to have a place for my sons to play their music, and have other innovations added to my house. I was doing the hit and miss play on words to find a sight that was what I was really looking for. One of the sites I happened to land on was, home theater scottsdale. Of course I clicked on this since how great would it be to have a big theater, since the guys like to have a get together and watch their music movies and such. All of this keeps running through my mind and of course the financial aspect comes to mind also. It is home improvement, a great asset and may even help with bringing the family closer together. At least in my way of thinking.

What I totally am into is the home automation scottsdale. Truth be known it totally blew me away to know what this company can do for a home and also for the residents…especially me! Unreal! Everything from control of the music in the whole house, the movies and video. To security, lighting and oh shoot, the list goes on. I actually have to say that I’ve visited a lot of sites on my own and some that friends have recommended to me, but this one did indeed strike my fancy. I don’t generally rave about businesses, but then now and again one comes across and just flat intrigues me.

I really would love to have all of these home improvement ideas in my house. Unfortunately Scottsdale is a very  long way from here. But ya’ll living down that way, check it out. Like I’ve said, I’ve been wanting this this kind of innovation in my home for a long time. I love the whole concept.

 

 

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Checking out architects in Phoenix

Libby, a dear friend of mine is checking out architects in Phoenix and has been telling me about the plans she has for remodeling and adding on to her home. She really likes the contemporary style and I have to admit, from what I have seen about some of the ideas she wants to put into action her home is going to be beautiful when the building and landscaping is completed. She has waited a very long time for this change and needed help with her plans, so she has been really putting a great deal of time into finding the right builders to make her visions and dreams come into an actual reality.

Phoenix architecture firms know the area, the land and also the best way to construct a building for the needs of the clients along with knowing what they are looking to build and how they want it built also if it is able to be done in the type of environment the land is surrounded by. This makes for maximum durability and function. Also from what I have seen, they can indeed turn a dream into a living space that is perfect for their clients. This is a major plus, considering Libby is very set in what she would like.

After I browsed through a site I had been told me about, I was totally amazed at the work and beauty of some of the homes that were designed and the craftsmanship of the smallest detail. Everything is considered when using these Phoenix architects and it shows in the photographs. I just wish I could see the work in progress once it starts. Of course I’ll visit and see the finished home inside and out as this is my friends dream house and everything is going to be unique and exactly what she wants, combined with the expertise of the architects.

 

 

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Covering a hardwood floor

As much as I hate to do it, I’ve decided to look at carpet for the living room floor, which is tongue and groove hardwood.  My house is very old and despite of the insulation in the crawl space, the floor in that room tends to make walking on it even with socks on, a chilly experience. I find myself hopping from area rug to area rug which I’m getting a bit too old to do. Besides I look like an idiot doing  this. Slippers are not an option as I have to take them off to put boots on when I take the dogs out. It’s a hassle. Especially when the dogs want outside at that very minute they have to do their business.

I was thinking about a Berber type carpet for high traffic areas, but I would like to look at other options. I love the hardwood floors so perhaps a rug that covers a good deal of the floor would be the way to go for that room. I could always roll it up in the spring and then put down smaller area rugs that I have. It would definitely save money.

At any rate, I’m up for some kind of change and warmer feet in the winter. There is a carpet outlet in the city I live near, but also I’ve been looking on line for other ideas and floor covering sites that may have delivery since I do know how to lay carpet and flooring. (Thank you Dad, for this knowledge!)

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Shopping for PTAC Units

Last summer when we had exceedingly hot weather and a drought, our air condition unit decided it didn’t want to keep us cool anymore and the motor basically exploded. It was an old unit and we are fortunate it didn’t start a fire, but this has led us to do some early shopping for various ptac units, that we can afford. When I was younger, the heat didn’t bother me at all, but I have found for the last few years, I get overheated and of course without the air conditioner, it gets so hot and stuffy in the house that even the dog would rather be outside under a tree where he may get a hint of a breeze. My family gets miserable, and then I have to hear the complaints. I’m not going to go through that again this year.

While shopping, I looked at Amana ptac units and from what I was told by the expert helping me, they would save money and also work well in my home. In the long run this would be less expensive than running just plain fans, and would regulate the air in the house and keep it at a cool temperature that we all could handle. Not to mention, we wouldn’t just be stirring the hot air around like floor and ceiling fans do.

I’ve also talked my mom into checking out these ptac units, since she has a two story house and I stay in the upper part while I am there on most weekends. To say it gets hot up there, is an understatement. Despite the fact that she indeed has central air conditioning, her unit isn’t large or heavy duty enough, to cool the upstairs, due to the size of the rooms I have up there. To even try to cool the upstairs is so expensive, I’ve been depending on fans and a cross breeze with the windows open. A new until would not only save her money, but also make it comfortable enough to actually get a good night’s sleep!

 

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Fall is in the air

The leaves haven’t started to turn yet, but the smell of fall is indeed in the air. There is a crisp feeling outside that this season brings, and at night it’s been getting down right chilly. No frost yet, but it’s to come sooner than normal, I have a feeling.

Though I love colors of fall, I don’t like the fact that it means summer is over and that winter is just around the corner. It seems like we didn’t have much of a summer, despite of the drought.

We’ve been doing some home improvement around the house and outside in the yards. There were some walkways that needed tending to, as the stone was starting to get loose in places, so I hauled in some extra that I had saved, and made it fit where the loose ones were. I should say they aren’t really stone like most would think. These are actually flat rocks that the walkway is made of, and I’m glad I had the foresight to keep some back for just the purpose I needed them for.

All of the storm windows are now up and the glass windows are washed, the covered with padding and put away safely. Gutters will continue to be cleaned as the leaves come down and nearly all of my flower beds have been put to sleep for the winter. It sort of makes me sad, but it is what it is.

There of course is a lot more to do in order to make the house winterized and toasty for the winter, but I’m getting to it slowly but surely. Winter is not a good season for me, since I really hate snow and the cold, but if I have to live where we do indeed have lots and lots of snow and the temps get down below zero, I at least want a home that is warm and the next step is to start my winter survival shopping.