bruno's Blog


Behind the Scenes: How a Window Gets Made

By: Bruno May 23, 2013


This spring, I had a chance to tour the manufacturing facility at Andersen Windows Corporation in Bayport, Minnesota. Bayport is a small town (about an hour from Minneapolis) on the banks of the scenic St. Croix river. It's a beautiful setting, and one Andersen has enjoyed for a hundred years. Preserving the river is really important to the company, and one reason they take great care to produce their windows and doors in an environmentally-conscious way. Read on to see what I learned about how windows get made, and watch my video… Continue Reading

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Sneak Peek: Curbly House Bathroom Reveal

By: Bruno Apr 14, 2013

Our bathroom makeover reveal teaser
Guess what? It still feels like winter here in Minnesota. Last year around this time we were happily painting a new nursery for our then-unborn baby boy, with the windows open and a warm breeze wafting through the house. This year, not so much:

Hey, what's going on here? Isn't this supposed to April?

FYI, here's what things looked like last year for National Painting Week (notice the short sleeves and generally increased level of happiness):

So what's all that stuff sitting in our… Continue Reading

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Free Download: How to Clean Like a Maid Cheat Sheet

By: Bruno Mar 13, 2013

How to clean like a maid (free PDF download)
I know it doesn't feel like spring yet (at least not here in Minnesota), but it's coming soon (really, I promise!). So to get your spring cleaning projects kick started, we're offering a free, downloadable cheat sheet to help you clean as quickly and thoroughly as a maid. Read on to find out to get the free PDF!

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Test Lab: The Cree LED Bulb - In Action

By: Bruno Mar 13, 2013


This week we're running a great giveaway with Cree (click here to find out how to win 10 Cree LED Bulbs and a $250 Home Depot gift card), so I got a chance to try out their new bulbs. If you haven't been following along with the development of energy efficient lighting technology, it's safe to say things have changed a lot in the last five years. CREE LED bulb testYou now have real, affordable, decent-looking options for energy efficient bulbs, and Cree is one of the best. Read on to find out why.

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Curbly Giveaway: Win a $250 Home Depot Gift Card and 10 Cree LED Light Bulbs

By: Bruno Mar 07, 2013

created at: 03/06/2013Here's a bright idea: an energy-efficient light bulb that costs less than $10, looks just like your old incandescents, and lasts for 25,000 hours. No flicker (like CFLs), instant-on (unlike some other LEDs), dimmable, and produces and a warm, omni-directional light. The new Cree LED bulb does all that, and uses way less energy than a standard bulb. This week, we're teaming up with Cree to giveaway 10 of their new energy-efficient bulbs, and throwing in a $250 Home Depot gift card as well! Read on to find out how to win!

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How to: Make a DIY Lighted Umbrella Stand

By: Bruno Feb 19, 2013

Make a lighted PVC pipe umbrella stand
There’s no end to the home furnishings that can be constructed and crafted from sections of PVC piping. Found in the plumbing aisle at the hardware store, this material lends itself to drilling, cutting, and painting, and accepts fabric beautifully. There’s no guesswork here. A two foot section of 6”-diameter PVC pipe is the perfect base for a fabric covered umbrella stand, but why stop there? Let’s light it up!… Continue Reading

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Curbly Giveaway: Win Two Picture Frame Galleries from Change of Art ($300 value)

By: Bruno Feb 04, 2013

Change of Art \

With Valentine's Day coming up, I know some of you are looking for a creative gift for your special person/pet/self. Well, look no further! A gallery wall of picture frames from Change of Art fits the bill perfectly; just fill it up with some family snapshots and you're ready to go! We'll give you two! Read on to learn more about this week's prize, and how to win!

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Curbly Giveaway: Win $1000 from Blinds.com

By: Bruno Jan 07, 2013

Win a $500 gift card to Blinds.com!
And you thought you were done getting gifts this winter! This week, we've teamed up with Blinds.com to give away two $500 gift cards; that means two lucky winners will get five big ones to spends at Blinds.com, where you can find an awesome selection of blinds, shades, shutters and drapes. Read on to find out how to enter!

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Best of Curbly: Top 10 Original How-Tos of 2012

By: Bruno Dec 20, 2012

Best of Curbly: Top 10 How To Projects from 2012
We're wrapping up the year with our favorite DIY ideas from 2012. Here are the original how-to projects I liked best this year. Starting with dog treats and cabinet makeovers, all the way through to DIY household cleansers and organization ideas. Enjoy! (All links open in new tabs for your browsing pleasure)

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How to: Make a DIY Modern Wooden Menorah

By: Bruno Dec 10, 2012


A few weeks ago, our editor, Chris Gardner, posted a sweet woodworking tutorial over on our 'brother' site, ManMadeDIY. In it, he explained the steps he took to make a beautiful hardwood modern menorah. If you're in the market for a new one for Hanukkah this year, or you're not Jewish but you just want a candle-holder with room for nine lights, then I suggest you check it out. Chris shipped us the finished product, and we were thrilled to… Continue Reading

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