DIY Project Crafty Ideas
How to Repair Plaster
Make damage to lath and plaster walls disappear for good using the right techniques and materials
Getting ready for impending appraisal. Painting of foundation cinderblocks has begun. We’re hoping to have at least the front done, complete with new shutters.
40 Small Kitchens with Big Style (MyHomeIdeas.com)
Steal oversized ideas on how to make your tiny cookspace feel bigger with our favorite designs.
src: http://room-galleries.myhomeideas.com/pictures/kitchens/small-kitchens/index.html?N=0+770+835&view=gallery&ad=1&No=1&dir=next&sp=topRated
(Source: room-galleries.myhomeideas.com)
75 High-Impact Outdoor Upgrades for Under $75
Click Here for the article on This Old House
The editors share their budget-friendly ideas for sprucing up your patch of green with quick-and-easy DIY projects
Make Your Own Birdhouse (from Lowes.com)
Upstairs Shower Inspiration
This one is really similar to our setup - minus the tub, which will instead be a toilet - and our shower will be quote a bit “longer” than this one. We’re working with a 34” x 48” space. I just noticed how that top piece of glass swivels. Way cool.
And this one is super gorgeous as well. These are both delicious-looking, if you ask me.
Budget Glass Website
Plumber suggested we use these folks to create our custom glass shower enclosure upstairs.
804-231-1029
Tips for Creating A Light, Airy Bathroom Space
For resale value, appeal and overall livability, few rooms are as important as the bathroom. When embarking on a remodel, it’s easy to get caught up in every trend or lament your lack of space. Fortunately, even in tighter quarters, creating a light, bright and airy feel can be simple. Here are a few tips for transforming the space you have into a space you’ll love.
-Houzz.com
Type of stairs and railing we like…
get a custom house portrait
these are wicked-cute and oh-so adorable and once we’re done with the house, would be kind of awesome to have!
tips for installing a backsplash
prep:
- put down rosin paper on your countertops (over top of cardboard if you want to be extra careful) - or just use the cheaper brown construction paper without moisture protection if you’re pretty confident the cardboard will stop any thinset drips from seeping through…
- use painter’s tape to secure cardboard and paper
- mixing mortar - here’s a handy little video with tips on that.
backer board:
- the tile back splash needs to be installed on top of cement board, not sheetrock…
- “cement board (1/4″ thick Permabase Ultrabacker to be exact) was about $10 per 3ft x 5ft sheet after the 10% discount code that they offer everyone (YHL10)” from here
most of these tips came from, where else? Young House Love.
Back Yard Pathway Ideas from ToH
Because our new back yard is totally strugglin’!
This one walks you through how to decide what’s best for your yard and your budget
YHL installs a dishwasher
we’ll be doing this here little project within the next few months. it always helps to have step-by-step instructions like these. plus, they give links to a few video tutorials that we can probably use as resources as well.
video 1 and video 2 (leaning towards this one, as it’s super detailed…)
- most common difficulties involve old, corroded plumbing. it’s best just to replace the old stuff, otherwise it involves very careful attention not to disrupt existing seals and connections
- water off (from under sink or at main connection to city)
- shut off electricity
- install drain hose up high
- when directly connecting power, use a strain reducer
- very important that the dishwasher be level, even front to back. dead straight (even with countertop or slightly tipped back) is best so water doesn’t surge up out of the front of the tank when in operation.
- leave lower panel off for a while to double-check that all connections are completely dry. you can use a colored napkin below, it will leave a noticeable stain on the napkin even if it’s dried by the time you see it.
implementing the mason jar chandelier…
this person used Kara Paslay’s directions to make this
Yep, those are Mason Jars. I knew I’d been collecting them for something other than ironic glassware, I just didn’t know what that was until I saw one of these Mason Jar Chandeliers on Etsy for a few hundred dollars. I made mine for about $35. It only took a 3 or 4 hours to make, and then about an hour to install it with Jeff’s help. That light switch already had a dimmer on it, and it looks SO awesome in a dark room on a super dim setting. I’ve been waiting and waiting to change the fan out in the dining room, but it had to be for just the right thing. So glad I could do it with my own two hands.
