Ice House

While I am sitting here, getting ready to move into my newly-remodeled house, it is easy to forget that there is a downside to the mortgage crisis and the fluctuating housing market. While some of us are able to take advantage of it, there are many who are suffering because of foreclosure and repossession. Putting politics aside, this is still an issue that is affecting every American in one way or another.

Gregory Holm and Matthew Radune intend to highlight the crisis with their Ice House Detroit installation. The two artists (the former a photographer, the latter an architect), helped purchase an abandoned home in Detroit (they actually "bought" it by paying back taxes on a different home; read the article) and spent weeks covering it is water from nearby hydrants. The result is a beautiful, glittering, foreclosed home.

Holm and Radune brought a little beauty to a run down area of the Motor City, and in the process bring attention to a crisis across the country. Every home can be a palace, and someone lost theirs because of bank mismanagement and poor financial preparedness.

Just something to admire and consider this snowy morning...

And if you order now...

OK so I always thought that those paint-edger things you saw on television were a gimmick. I mean, I don't think Billy Mays actually ever hawked that exact item, but you know what I'm talking about... those paint pads with a handle that make it so you don't have to tape off an area.

I thought I was kinda a big deal. I thought I knew what I was doing. I thought tape was rad. I thought I was above paint pads.

I thought wrong.

Oh my god. So I was in Home Depot getting paint samples (sadly, sans Ian) when I decided I needed just one more roller. Next to the rollers was a little Shur Line display... and I was taken in. I had always assumed these paint pads (not to be confused with an iPad) were overpriced and ineffective. I don't know why, I think I just have a natural distrust of "As Seen on TV" items. But I was amazed because these Edge Like a Pro paint pads were on sale for $2.54. I will buy almost anything for $2.54. So I figured, where's the harm in trying these out?

So I took them home and started edging the ceiling in my bathroom. No tape, just using this little pad to butt up against the ceiling. Was the line perfect every time? No. Was it good enough after a few coats that I had saved valuable painting time by not having to use a brush? YES.

The only downside I saw in this product resulted from human error. Surprise surprise, if you load the pad up with too much paint, it is very likely that it will push out too much during application. By applying the paint to the pad in an even coat with a brush, I solved that problem immediately.

So now that I know how awesome these paint pads are, I think I am going to run out and get a HandyPeel and a ShakeWeight. If Billy says it's good, it's gotta be good right?

Hardwood Makes Me Giggle

As it seems to go with the house, I can always rationalize additional projects with the excuse that we are already doing so much, what is one more little thing added on? So when mom suggested refinishing the hardwood floors that run through my living room, dining room, hallway, and guest bedroom, it was just another 'sure, why not?' moment.

Very few of us will ever get to choose the type of hardwood floors we have... only if you invest in a new construction option. I originally thought the type of wood used determined the look of your floors, and while it definitely plays a role, it is not the defining factor.

The most popular hardwood choices are oak, maple, Brazilian cherry, white ash, bamboo, and Douglas fir. Of these, Brazilian cherry and oak are the most resilient to wear and tear. Fortunately, my floors are red oak. Originally, the color was a blonde... which I assumed I had to live with. Wrong.

By sanding the floors and stripping it of its color, you can introduce a new stain that will give your home new classic character and life. I do not recommend sanding on your own. It requires one of those big sanding machines that look like a vacuum cleaner and it is just too easy to do permanent damage to your floors. I thought I wanted to play that game... I was wrong.

Instead, I chose a beautiful dark walnut stain that provides a uniform look while at the same time allowing you to observe the natural grain and inherent classical feel of genuine hardwood floors. Laminates may try (and they will try in my basement, haha) but it just is not the same.

So don't feel limited by the floors you have now... the color can be easily changed and completely refresh your home. Go for some sleek modernity with blonde bamboo or classic chic with imitation cherry... the choice is your's and the floor's the limit.

Seven Minutes in Heaven

I spent another Sunday painting the upstairs of my house! It was fun, despite being a tad bit exhausted and suffering from the grossest-looking foot injury of all time (some nice guy was so kind as to stomp on my foot at a concert on Saturday night). The color is up in the master bedroom and it looks absolutely fabulous.

I knew from the first that I wanted a lavender/gray color in my bedroom, but I came to a dilemma when choosing a paint color for the closets.

Never ever paint your closets the same color as your room. Closets are a pain to paint once you have moved in--you have to empty them and work around built in shelving, etc. And chances are you will change your wall color sooner than you will want to change your closet color... no one wants a calm blue bedroom paired with a brick red closet.

Now, most people would go with a traditional white. However, I strongly recommend something with a bit more of the proverbial uumph to it--still a light neutral, but something that will offset your clothes so that they look good. Don't forget to keep it light though! There is nothing like searching through a dark closet to find what you are looking for. I went with Behr's Navajo White, a soft beige that will definitely provide a flattering background for my eighteen thousand empire waist dresses.

I also strongly recommend making friends with somebody tiny, like May May here. This is her painting my tiny (like 1x1') linen closet in my bathroom. She was the only one who could fit!

Walkin' on the Ceiling

Indecisiveness is becoming a regular part of my day. Before, my contractor was in charge of the major decisions. I know nothing about how to actually frame an addition; he was calling the shots as far as construction and I was A-OK with that. Now, we are starting the finishing touches. The stuff I actually know something about. I have an opinion when it comes to handrails and carpet and colors of stain.

I am doing all my own painting (with the help of the most awesome friends in the entire world). This includes painting the ceilings on my second floor where there is new construction. And I am completely torn. This is partly a cry for help... I need a great ceiling color!

The first option is a traditional white. And there is nothing wrong with traditional. It is a classic for a reason. But do I really want to play that game? Or do something a little more fun?

If I had my faux beams that I so desperately want, I would do darker tones of the rooms on the ceilings. With the beams, it would give the room a lofty look. However, without something to break it up, the darker color will become too claustrophobic.

That leaves us with a lighter shade, either in the same family as the wall color or in a complimentary shade. My bedroom is a lilac/gray heather so I thought I might try a creamy yellow ceiling, slightly muted. However, after purchasing Navajo White from Ian at the Home Depot, I realized it was entirely too close to my ecru carpet. CRISIS!

So now that my walk-in closet has a beautiful coat of Navajo White, I am back to the ceiling drawing board. My mom suggested painting it white, since I could always change it. Yeah right mom, I am not painting my ceiling over with a new color after my carpet and furniture is in there. So I am thinking gray, but I need feedback! Where is my color theory professor when I need him?

An Ode to Ian

OK so the picture is not actually of the guy at my Home Depot, but Steve over here looks pretty rockin' with his 'stache. No, my new best friend is Ian, the guy who works behind the paint counter at my local Home Depot. Little did he know when I wandered into his corner of the store that rainy day, we would soon be best friends.

Yeah, well that is a little creepy, but I did just want to stress how great the guys and gals at the HD are. I wandered in, having done my research, with a list... and was promptly overwhelmed. Yes I need a sanding block, but what the hell is that? And how do I attach the sandpaper?

Needless to say, Ian was there for me.

"Ian, do I need a fancy extender or is the $3 one OK?"

"Ian, this paint can is dented... is that bad?"

"Ian, I can't decide... eggshell or flat finish?!?!?"

He answered all my questions patiently, and did the same when I came back the next day. He also explained the complicated rebate system so I could get $5 off every gallon of paint I bought. We also bonded over my Georgia shirt... though I don't think he thought it was as magical a connection as I did.

OK so if this kid ever Googles himself he is probably going to be creeped out, because obviously I am over-exaggerating the bond we shared. But I was extremely pleased with how helpful he was--and willing to deal with my neurosis. Few men have ever measured up to that particular task.

So today, I salute you, Home Depot guy Ian. Without you, I might have gone for the 5-gallon tub of primer and died after it rolled on top of me in the parking lot. I owe ya one, buddy.

Location Location Location

With all the changes and improvements I am making to my home, it is easy to forget why I chose this house in the first place. It would have been so much easier to buy a house already fixed up or even new construction. The construction process has been enlightening and fun, but it is also starting to get old. I want to be in my house!

My neighborhood is older, but not too old. The houses are all pretty cute, and we are within walking distance of many awesome things--including a park with a measured walking trail. Today, I timed how long it took me to walk from my front door to the park: five minutes. You can't beat that.

If you are still looking for a home or considering it in the near future, I cannot stress enough the importance of location. You have heard the old realtor's mantra 'location location location' many times over, but really consider it. Not only does it matter when you go to sell your home, it matters while you are there. Yeah, I might have paid a little more for my house because of where it is, but I am also saving $90 a month by giving up my gym membership in favor of using the park. And forget $30 drunk cab rides, I will be stubbornly stumbling home when I need to since it is only about six blocks away. So assuming I indulge in a few of those nights a year, right there I am saving $1260 a year... just because of where my home is. Add to that the gas money I am saving by being close to work, and I think the slight increase in price was totally worth it.

Now, all that might be negated by my proximity to Graeter's ice cream, but that's another story altogether...

Free and Easy

This isn't like a big industry secret or anything, and it is a shameful plug by Lowe's to get you to use their products... but hey, quit your bitchin', 'cause it's free.

Lowe's free publication, Creative Ideas, actually isn't that bad. I got my first issue in the mail today (that's right--it's not something you have to pick up in store, they send it to you!) and I was pleasantly surprised. It is not huge, but it did contain several smart ideas for your home. Best of all, it gives you an idea of the skill level needed to complete a project... which is a great thing to think about before you jump into bricking an entire wall in one of your bedrooms. It also estimates the total cost, which is never a bad thing to know. I can't tell you how many times I have gone out to buy materials for a "cheap" project and come home with a receipt for three times what I estimated.

I got some great color inspiration in the most recent issue, as well as an awesome plan for a glass tile mirror. I am sure if I attempt it, I will blog about it, don't worry. So click here and subscribe. It is free and easy... just like me.

Kidding...

Friends Forever

You know what is cheaper than a contractor or a professional painter? A case of beer, three large pizzas, and seven of your closest friends.

A HUGE shout out to Meaghan, Lilly, John, Steve, Austin, Liz, and Robby for coming over yesterday and helping me prime my walls. I would have been lost without your enthusiasm, ax-wielding skills, and height.

And yes, there is nothing more terrifying than John and Steve taking an axe to junk in my basement. Not real.

In My Prime

Tomorrow, I begin my hands-on renovations project. Until this point, everything I have done has required a contractor. I'm sorry, but let's just be honest: I could not have possibly built an addition to my second floor myself. It would have fallen down. I am good, but I am not that good.

The upstairs of my home consists of two bedrooms and a new bathroom. I intend to use these rooms as my bedroom and an office area (for all my hard work... yeah right). We added about 150 square feet to these rooms, which we used to create the bathroom and two walk-in closets. The latter is especially exciting because large closets are basically unheard of in my neighborhood of post-war homes.

So now that the upstairs construction is finished, it is time to paint. We are not painting the downstairs yet as there is no real new flooring going down there. So in the course of 30ish hours (hopefully), I will be covering my upstairs walls so that my carpet, tile, and new bathroom vanity can go in sometime next week. So exciting!

Now with new construction (and old construction for that matter), the most important step of the painting process is to prepare your surface perfectly. This means three things: sanding, cleaning, and PRIMING.

Sanding is vital to a successful paint job. Using a sanding block and 120-150 grit sandpaper, you need to go over your new drywall and make sure there are no imperfections left from the putty or caulking. Unfortunately, the sanding makes the next step necessary: cleaning. Using a damp cloth, you have to wipe down your walls. Sanding dust, if left on the wall before you paint, will cause your paint to adhere poorly and no one wants that.

Last but not least, you must prime your walls. Using a drywall-sealer such as Behr's Primer/Sealer for new drywall. A product like this will not only provide a smooth, clean surface for your top coat, but adds a barrier against stains that may affect your walls.

So if you are around Louisville in the next few days, come on over to my house... because I will be there, covered in paint and happiness. And if you are thinking about it, pressure me to finalize my colors because the decision is driving me crazy!

Dear Ol' Dad

I have been conspicuously absent for the blogosphere lately and I am sad and sorry for this. As most of my friends know, on December 27, 2009, my dad passed away after battling colon cancer for several years. I think understandably, I haven't felt like doing much at all--including working on my house and blogging about it.

But now it is 2010. A new year, and a new start, right? A lot of great things happened in 2009, but even better things will happen in 2010.

My dad was an active part of my house hunting experience. He didn't do a lot of the footwork, but when I found something I thought I liked, he was there with his cane, knocking on walls and inspecting furnaces. If it hadn't been for his advice, I would have bought a house for $9,000 less than I did, but with one fewer bedroom, one fewer bathroom, no basement, and no garage. Obviously a huge mistake. Dad was the sweetest man I have ever known, but he was also a shrewd businessman.

He also loved watching This Old House... one of my earliest memories is of him lamenting the fact that Bob Vila was fired (which at the time I interpreted to mean he was burned at the stake). Dad could talk to me for hours about the properties of flashing and shingles on a roof. He spent his life taking care of me, my sisters, my mom, and his many friends. I regret he was only able to see pictures of the house I bought... I think he would have been proud of me, my purchase, and the renovations I am making. He would probably yell at me for spending money, but that was a regular occurrence.

My dad never failed to tell me how proud he was of me, even when I failed. I hope he will be proud of the life I am leading now, even if it isn't as focused on business as he would have liked. Not to make this too corny, but enjoy the time you have with your love ones and learn as much as you can from your parents... I know there will be times in the near future when I will wish my dad was around to tell me what to do. I am thankful for the time I had with him and the honor of knowing him and appreciating him for his quirky humor, his smile, his smarts, his courage, and his love.

So onward and into 2010... a year of big changes for me and my family. And Dad, please don't be too mad at me for blogging about you and my house... I know you thought it was too much to put out into the public realm, but I hope you appreciate my writing and my all my hard work. I just wish you were here to scold me in person!

Glow Baby Glow

Yes, more wine bottles. What can I say? I like the vino.

Got some string lights left lying around now that the holiday season is coming to a close? Why not make some awesome decorations for you upcoming bangin' new year's party?

This project does involve drilling through glass, but as long as you take the necessary precautions (like wearing safety goggles), it is not such a big deal. A glass drill bit is under $20 at any hardware store and will be a good thing to have in your toolbox... just in case.

Drill a small hole in the bottom of your wine bottle. Experiment with different color bottles. I found a can of spray frost at the local craft store, which gives the bottles a cool glow effect. Incandescent lights are hotter than LED, but the light they give off is much softer and more appealing color.

Make several of these and place them around the house for a nice holiday glow without being overtly Christmas.

Shop 'Til You Drop

It is the day after Christmas. Do you still spend Christmas at your parents' house? Now's the time to step it up, put on your big girl/boy pants, and invest in your own holiday decorations for next year. What better day to do it than when stores are unloading all their unwanted Christmas merchandise?

Now, personally, I will be expanding my Hanukkah inventory. But since the majority of us celebrate Christmas, run out and get some sparkly lights on major sale. Just don't come to buy stuff where I work today... working the day after Christmas is not real and I do not approve. Alas, here I am.

Go for it, kiddos. Everyone likes a good deal, especially on things they can forget about for a year. Come next November/December, it will be like getting new stuff all over again. You can't argue with that logic.

The Rain in Spain

In the process of adding onto my house, the builders had to take off my gutter downspouts. The addition or renovation of a home is the perfect time to consider alternatives to traditional (read: boring) aluminum downspouts.

Rain chains have been used in Japan for over 100 years and are slowly but surely becoming popular in America, especially with the go green set. These decorative copper accents are not only a more aesthetically attractive option, they can provide more utilitarian benefits than aluminum downspouts.

By guiding the water from your gutters into a rain collection bin or decorative container, the rain chain acts as a path for the water. It also serves as a decorative water feature, providing soft water-esque noises during a rain storm. Why pay for a sound machine at Brookstone when you can have your very own fountain outside your window? The chains look like a fountain, especially if you choose a beautiful copper basin to collect the water as it comes down.

Unfortunately, rain chains are not sufficient to use as your primary downspouts all around your home. It is recommended that they only be responsible for 30 feet of gutter. However, give it a try for at least one section of your home and be the cool kid in the neighborhood. They come in all sort of different shapes and styles, but traditionally come in a standard length of 8 1/2 feet. Don't forget to also get a basin of some sort... all that water has to go somewhere!

You Light Up My Life

So if you're like me, Christmas in the 80s was full of baby dolls who actually pooped, big wheels, and the Barbie RV with a fold out table for candlelit dinners with Ken. It also included those huge glass colored Christmas lights strung around the tree, threatening to shatter at any moment. AWESOME.

Well, I know you can still fond them some places, but they usually sell out quickly. Enter ping pong lights. Buy a gross (144 count) of ping pong balls for around $10.00, use a nail or drill to punch a hole in them, and stick them on your normal boring lights for the same sense of ambiance you got from those eighties monsters. I like them on white lights too-- they give the impression of those even more retro big bulbs. Try it out and see what happens... while I don't have a Christmas tree this year in my new house (since I am not yet living there), I will definitely be using these when the time comes to decorate my patio. Rock on.

Drink Up

Because of the way my kitchen is set up in my new home, I am unable to put any cabinets directly above the sink. I may still choose to put shelves up there, but I also found this chic and cheap alternative.

I love the vino. Who doesn't? And since we already found a way to use the leftover corks, why not make the bottles into an awesome piece of wall art?

So invite over a friend or two and down a few bottles. To make one vase, you will need:

- a clean empty wine bottle

- 3/8" top plate connector/ceiling flange

- 1" split ring hanger

- two screws and drywall hooks to fit the top plate connector

- two pieces of 3/8" threaded rod, cut to 2.5"

- double stick foam mounting tape in case the bottle neck is smaller than 1"

- silk flowers

1. Put the top plate connector against the wall where you want the neck of the bottle to be and mark where the screws will go. Drill holes and insert drywall hooks as needed. Attach the plate to the wall with the screws.

2. Screw in the cut rod pieces and the split ring hanger.

3. Apply the foam mounting tape to the neck of the bottle where the split ring will hold it. Position the bottle in the split ring and tighten the screws to secure it.

4. Pop in some silk flowers and enjoy! The best part is, you can switch the flowers whenever you want to make a new statement.

Enjoy this simple and beautiful statement for a kitchen or dining room. Pretty cool if you ask me.

PS thanks to Design Sponge for this awesome idea!

Spinnin' the Vinyl

With the addition going on the back of my house, I recently had to choose a type of siding for my exterior. While brick, wood, and/or stucco options are usually preferable, they are also the most expensive. Additionally, the material most commonly known by its brand name, HardiPlank, is also more costly than other options (though it does have a longer lifespan and increased durability).

When choosing an option for siding, the most important factors include neighboring homes, climate, durability, cost, and maintenance.

My first consideration was neighboring houses. In all honesty, the other homes in my neighborhood primarily have used aluminum or vinyl siding. While HardiPlank (also known as fiber cement siding) might be preferable in the long run, you also don't want to price your home out of the neighborhood. The increased cost may be worth it to you, but will it be worth it to the next homeowner? In my situation, probably not. My neighborhood has turned, for the most part, into starter home for singles and couples before they actually start their families. Odds are, the person who buys my house after me will be looking at the price for the bottom line, not the lifespan of the exterior materials, because they will not actually be living in the home long enough to have to replace anything.

So with that in mind, I narrowed my choices to aluminum and vinyl. Both give the appearance of wood plank siding without the care required to protect wood from home invaders, such as those pesky little guys called termites. The climate in Louisville is mild enough to not have to worry about hurricane-force winds, which have a tendency to rip off siding. Ever noticed how many homes in Florida have a stucco finish? Not a coincidence.

The major difference between aluminum and vinyl siding is the durability. Aluminum is susceptible to dents and scrapes (imagine a Coke can). Vinyl tends to fade after about 10 years. Aluminum siding is difficult to paint, though not impossible, which can become a problem if you choose a bright pink house. Vinyl options usually have a wood grain imprint, which can add a nice feel to the home. Unfortunately, some studies suggest the production of vinyl has been harmful to the environment in the past. Be sure to check into the manufacturer of the material to make sure you can choose vinyl with a clear conscience.

I think you can probably tell what material I went with (like the title didn't totally blow my cover). I looked into the environmental concerns (because I love the polar bears) and determined that I could feel good about using the material. Additionally, the idea of not having to worry as much about the look, maintenance, and durability pretty much sold me.

While vinyl is not definitively the best choice for everyone, it is the best choice for me. Explore your options and see what happens. Until then, I will enjoy my wheat vinyl siding with a happy heart!

Christmas Party in the USA

Check out this article for some awesome party tips for the upcoming holiday season from the one and only Clinton Kelly (yes, the guy from What Not to Wear and the fashion-tip advertisements in the dressing rooms at Macy's).

My favorite? The formula for how many people your house can hold for a party (square footage of your home divided by five) and then the tricks and tips for figuring out how many people to invite. Amazing.

PS... thanks to my mom for investing in this quality piece of holiday couture pictured on the left. And yes, it says NOG. Amazing.

Therma wha? Therma who?

So after meeting with my kitchen planner on Wednesday, I came away with mixed emotions... on the one hand, it was so much fun to pick out everything and see my kitchen actually laid out and on paper. I had drafted a floor plan, but to see elevations and perspective drawings of my house... that was awesome. But at the same time, the price was terrifying. My original quote was thrown out the window because I decided to add additional cabinets. I started dreaming big, which is never a good combination with a tiny budget. However, it was a necessary change, seeing as even a novice chef such as myself cannot work with virtually no counter space and three cabinets.

Now in an ideal world, I would have solid mahogany cabinets with premium granite counter tops and drawers pulls of solid gold. However, I am working on a budget and determined to keep it down. Because I am planning on staying in this home for 5-7 years, I want to use materials that will last and still look nice when I put the house back on the market. But I also need to consider the buyer--people looking in my neighborhood will most likely be single or young couples who are also staying on a budget. While extras like a super-nice kitchen would be cool, it is not something they are willing to pay an extra $10,000 for.

In comes Thermafoil. This synthetic material has a smooth coat and is significantly cheaper than solid wood cabinets... and is easier to maintain. They are more difficult to paint however, so be sure to choose a neutral color. While I personally prefer darker finishes on cabinets, I had to take into account that I am keeping the majority of my appliances and they are white... so I went with white. I like white, and it works with everything from my Tuscan-inspired design plan to some other person's country bumpkin Walmart border.

So while cheaper alternatives such as Thermafoil or (gasp!) laminate floors or counter tops may seem like a disappointment, take them into consideration before completely blowing them off. While they may not be as durable as the quality stuff, they will still look nice and most likely last long enough for you and the next few owners of your home to enjoy them!

Spreading Holiday Cheer for a Good Cause

This may be a shameless plug, but I am OK with that. I recently was contracted to work with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to take patients' artwork and turn it into holiday cards. Obviously, the real artists are the kids who created some of the cutest pictures ever, I just helped format them for cards. Best of all, you can upload your family photo to the site and it will be printed with the card... no printing a thousand pictures at Walgreens and sticking them in cards!

Holiday cards are an awesome way to keep in touch with friends and family (so is gchat, but that's another story). And with these cards, 15% of the profits go towards CHOA, which serves the entire Southeast with premier healthcare for children.

So check them out at www.choa.org/cards and spread some Christmas cheer twice over!

Note: make sure to access the TinyPrints/CHOA page through CHOA's website in order to guarantee your donation!