Two months ago I made a trip to Cincinnati to attend a retirement party for one of my geology professors. It’s my hometown, and when I go back I spend at least a week there visiting friends. One of them, Tom, a grade school friend, invited me to a gathering about 60 miles east of…
What Are Some Projects for a Happier Home?
By Brigitta Shannon Rose From Ask Angi Winter is an excellent time for making improvements to your home. Temperatures might be cooler, but contractors’ schedules are lighter. And the season is perfect for making changes to your home that improve your comfort as well as your resale value. Here are six ways to bring more…
Install a Solar Entry Light
Light up your door entrance using the power of the sun, and provide security and safety in an earth-friendly way with a solar-powered light. At night the light is powered by the sun and three (NiMH) rechargeable batteries that have an estimated life of two years. It turns on and off automatically as the sun…
Install a Wall Safe
Many people have a safety deposit box at a bank, but a popular alternative is a home safe because of its convenience. And anyone who has lost their safety deposit box keys will tell you they paid a hefty fine (and humiliation) to have the box drilled out.) A home wall safe is often Installed…
Urethane Trim Is Easy to Work With
Dear James: I think some decorative woodwork and trim in some rooms would look great. Do you have any tips for a relatively inexperienced do-it-yourselfer? — Evan D. Dear Evan: It does not take much decorative trim to really transform the decor and overall character of a room. You don’t need to add very much….
Repair Damaged Plaster
Plaster walls and ceilings are found in many older homes; and all too often, they’re marred with holes and cracks. Over time a plaster ceiling often sags, another problem. To repair damaged plaster walls with a hodgepodge of cracks or a ceiling that sags we’ve used a specific process. First, secure the loose plaster to…
Install a Self-Learning Thermostat
Now even your home thermostat can learn how much heat and cooling conditions family members prefer and adjust the climate in your home accordingly. Based on data, it will automatically adjust to what you’re doing from day to day and react to your actual behavior. The energy savings and the convenience make this feature a…
The Secrets to Squaring Anything
Are you trying to save money in these harsh financial times? Have you given up trying to find a contractor, and are you starting to do more projects on your own? If so, you’re in fine company, as my email inbox has exploded over the past months with requests for help. Lately, I’ve been in…
Installing a Tile Backsplash Is Not as Hard as It Seems
Six months ago, my son bought a new house. He had been looking to move from his apartment for well over a year. The hot real estate market made it hard to find a house in his price range. Each tired and worn-out house I toured with him needed quite a bit of work. I…
Big Variations in Lockset Types
Dear James: I am going to have a natural solid-wood front door installed with a new lockset. What types of attractive locksets are most secure, but reasonably priced? — Dana L. Dear Dana: Solid natural wood front doors are gorgeous, so you do not want to select an ordinary-looking lockset in it. Unfortunately, higher-priced locksets…
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