Posts tagged: construction
Two-Story Prefab
By DIY Maven
From Stillwater Dwellings in Bend, Oregon, this 2,950 s.f. prefab should sway any prefab-nay-sayers. Take a look inside:
How To: Tile Over a Brick Fireplace
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Photo Image: Susan Jablon Mosaics
A designer friend once told me that our brick fireplace with its' expansive raised hearth and built in bookshelves was "just too much for the room." I decided I liked it and bid her adieu. However, after I got a load of these artsy new tiles, I may have to rethink this. It is getting chilly and that fireplace will soon be blazing for long cozy nights of t.v., entertaining, snuggling and reading. Hmmmm.. » READ MORE
Put Her in a Pumpkin Shell
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Didn't anyone else imagine, as a kid, what it would be like to live in a pumpkin shell or an oversized shoe? Boy, I did. Happily, I just discovered that dome builder, Steve Miller and I must have been on the same wavelength. In 1997, he, his wife and 1 1/2 year old daughter set out on a dome building adventure like no other. Today, their two story Vermont pumpkin house has been enlarged and improved upon more than once. » READ MORE
On the Satisfaction of Creating
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Photo Image: Liz Cooper
Any crafter, artisan or creator knows that not every handmade project turns out perfectly until you've repeated the process a number of times. Once you think "I could make that myself", there's a pivotal decision to be made, are you really going to try your hand at it, or are you just saying you could do it? » READ MORE
Get the Look of Wainscoting for Less
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Photo Images: THR & Sons
When we built a home years ago my brother suggested some cost cutting carpentry illusions that gave us the look of custom raised wainscoting panels in the dining room and up the stairway. It's fairly commonplace now but at the time, it was a clever construction cost cutting idea.
Swimming Pool Built In a One Car Garage
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Photo by Anne GummersonA Baltimore homeowner decided to make the most of his property and provide a beautiful pool for his family, hidden behind brick walls with a retractable roof. He worked feverishly between 2006 and 2007 to convert his one car garage into his personal oasis. Why? Because he wanted to swim laps » READ MORE
Earthbag Homes
By DIY Maven
The first time I read about earthbag homes, I had to repeat the 'bag' part a few times. Bags? Seriously? Yup. Basically, they're stacked sandbags (which could be filled with a variety of materials) that are subsequently plastered over. One of their biggest proponents is Dr. Owen Geiger, who is the former director of Builders Without Boarders and founder of the Geiger Research Institute of Sustainable Building. His contention is that earthbag home » READ MORE
How-To Build a Headboard: Watch and See How a Professional Does It
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Headboards have swamped the design blogs for the past 6 months or so. Some are o.k., some are good and some are really professionally done. These two tutorials are produced by a company from which I've purchased patterns. They'are a little bit on the frumpy side, but the construction instructions are easy to understand and, if you watch and learn, you'll be able to use these techniques forever. You know, teach a man to fish...
How-To: Easy Crown Molding Video
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Crown molding may not be a value added home improvement, but it may help your home sell faster in this sluggish market. Buyers perceive that a home with crown molding is more custom and thus, believe it to be a better quality house. The reality is that most buyers » READ MORE
How-To: Remove a Stripped Screw
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Nothing bugs me as much as stripping a screw. While taking apart this weird and wonderful rocket chair, one of the soft metal screws just wimped out and lost its grip. See how to quickly remove the pesky piece of metal. » READ MORE
Stocking Stuffer: Safety Glasses You'll Want to Wear Everywhere
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Gone are the days of face-encompassing safety goggles. No need to look nerdy while buzzing through a 4 x 8 piece of plywood anymore. Safety glasses have gone cool. Hardly resembling their frumpy older sister, safety goggles, hip safety glasses have their own market, and they're hot. Check out some of the latest looks after the jump... » READ MORE
Architect
By betadinesutures After much studying read: late nights, nearly zero sleep, no weekends, and fourteen months of testing - 9 exams, some 6 hours long, I have finally completed my Architectural Registration Exams. Major goal accomplished, now it's getting my license application[s] approved by Connecticut and Minnesota. When that is finished, I can practice architecture in this state. Until then I will take the LEED exam to become a LEED AP - Accredited Profession » READ MOREGlue Stuff.
By ChrisjobSometimes you just gotta make stuff stick together. In case you're bewildered concerning the best bonding agent, have a look at THIS to THAT. It's a delightfully simple site that tells one, basically, how to glue stuff to other stuff.
Can't beat that.
Stocking the ultimate toolbox: every tool a homeowner will ever need
By alexrussell
Tools are the kinds of things you don't really know you're missing until you really need them. The best thing a homeowner can have at his or her disposal is a good set of tools for about everything that doesn't really need the attention of a professional. If you have a cordless drill, for example, why call a handyman to bolt your new bookcase to the wall?
The Adam Savage sculpture above is a bit of an exaggeration, but to be modest I've set out » READ MORE
Construction loan tips?
By creede
Can I just tell you what a pain it is to try and get a new construction loan. It absolutely amazes me how much time, effort and money you have to put into it before you are even ready to apply. We are currently racing the weather clock to try and see if we can get this project done before snow is on the ground. I have bids from the roofer, and millwork and thats about it. I finally got a hold of the drywall guys today, so I should have a bid f » READ MORE
