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!