On November 1st 2006, the original pink plastic flamingo was slatted for extinction. Due to rising production costs, its manufacturer, Union Products of Leominster, MA decided to put an end to its life. The Birth of an Icon Born in 1957 to its creator Don Featherstone, the plastic birds have become the symbol of kitsch. […]
Okay, admit it. Your refrigerator door looks like a pop art project gone bad. Pictures, postcards, receipts, lotto tickets (both last Wednesday’s loser and next Saturday’s winner), a grocery list, and a friendly reminder from your dentist that it’s time for a checkup. Too important to cast aside in the dark recesses of some drawer […]
What has the world come to? We’re buying sand for five dollars a pound. Sure, it’s clean and we don’t have to brush it out from between our toes, but it’s still just sand. This being said, I’m happy to announce, in the world of home decor, sand has become passe! Hooray!  Fall Freebie […]
Okay, so the old toilet is now sitting in your front yard sprouting a lovely selection of greenery and the new toilet is awaiting your heinie. You just need a toilet seat and you’re ready to go. But before we get down to the business of the bottom, how about a tour of the toilet […]
Yesterday’s post covered the removal of an old toilet. Today we’ll go over the highlights of installing a new toilet. And don’t worry; this procedure isn’t nearly as gross as the removal process. Set the Head Some instructions will tell you to first apply a bead of caulk or plumber’s putty around the base of […]
Our dining ‘set’ is a thrift-store rescue; it was on its last legs and probably would have been put down (sent to the landfill) if I hadn’t come along to save it ($40). I think it was actually once a nice piece of furniture, built by the White Furniture Co. of Mebane, North Carolina. But […]
Replacing an old toilet isn’t as hard as you may think. All toilets come with do-it-yourself instructions, but here is a primer to remove a typical two-piece toilet to let you know what you’re really in for. Warning: crude material forthcoming. Tank Withdrawal First you’ll need to turn off the water at the supply line […]
Let’s face it; the human face lit from below looks creepy. So, if you don’t want to look like a character from a John Carpenter movie or an aging starlet minus the pancake foundation, save the up-lighting for your abode. Negative Space, Man Positioning can up-lighters on the floor at the base of large houseplants […]
Immigrants, expatriates, and airline-stewardesses have known it for a long time: there’s a startling gap between American and European attitudes toward design. Entering the U.S. after spending any length of time in Europe (or, for that matter, practically anywhere else) is eye-opening. Everything looks bigger, more imposing, like the world has been outlined with a […]
Today we’re learning how to make a box joint jig. Read on to learn how! Box joints, also called finger joints or comb joints, are really quite strong and have an attractive, handmade appeal which looks good on, well, everything. And you’re welcome to cut and chisel each one by hand…but, with this easy jig, […]
