Glass Bottle Sculpture

With the summer finally over and the cooler weather rapidly upon us, I find the outside of my house losing some of its curb appeal due to the flowers dying off and the leaves on the trees beginning to fall. My wife and I were away on our honeymoon to come back to our house that seemed so dull and lacked the color that was previously there due to bare flower pots lining the front of our entry way. As we looked at different products or ideas to increase the curb appeal and bring back the color, we came across a simple and rather cheap DIY project. Not only could this project be done in a short time frame but we already had half of the materials which would cut the cost even more. Rather than storing the flower pots away in the garage, we kept the leaves and soil in them and began to collect glass bottles for our new plant sculptures!

Materials Needed for Project:

·       Colorful Glass Bottles

·       Bamboo Stakes

Step-By-Step:

1.    Collect colorful bottles and peel off the labels. If there is residue on the bottles from the labels, use Goo Gone to remove any remaining sticky adhesive. Thoroughly wash the outside and inside of the bottles with warm soap and water.

2.    Place the bamboo stakes in the flower pots or beds however you want them configured to appeal to your liking. (Remember to put the stakes far enough in the ground to hold up the glass bottles.)

3.    Carefully, place the glass bottles upside down on the bamboo stakes.

Within no time you have transformed your dull and empty flower pots into a new work of art. The color will help boost the curb appeal and make your home stand out from the rest as they lose the flowers that once lined the front of their home. Have fun with this and try different color bottles or use all the same color; the options with this project are endless!

Source

http://www.diyideas.com/quickprojects/Outdoors/outdoorprojects_ss3.html

Curb Appeal Idea Source – SkyMall??

I have been flying both domestic and international flights for the better part of 30 years.  Throughout that time (or at least for a large part of it) a constant companion has been the in-flight catalog SkYMall®.  I have probably flipped through the SkYMall catalog a thousand times or more over the years with some sense of comprehension for what it provides.  Unique and interesting products and gifts not readily available through traditional sales channels, more or less.  I have always thought the products promoted were interesting; however, I never categorized them myself into market segments other than unique and interesting.  Since my move into marketing for Coach House Accents™ I’m now forced to look at product sources such as SkYMall with a more discerning eye.

The Outdoor Living section of SkYMall has many unique and affordable ideas that will enhance the curb appeal of your home.  Address plaques, mailboxes, privacy screens and planters are just a few available that add real appeal to a home.  And yes, you can find items for your garage here as well (call this a minor plug).

The most interesting product I ran across is the Woven Self-watering Planter.  I like these for two reasons:

1.       Flowers properly placed on your porch, porch steps and in front of you garage add a great deal to the initial impression your home makes on a prospective buyer (or your neighbor).

2.       Maintaining flowers is time consuming especially if both you and your spouse work.

This is how these planters are described on SkyMall:

Self-watering planter takes the effort out of growing beautiful, healthy plants.

Our Woven Self-watering Planter does so much more than just look good in your outdoor setting. This smart outdoor planter makes it easy for you to grow beautiful, healthy plants all season long.

·         Hidden reservoir holds water until your plants need it

·         Properly waters plants for up to 12 weeks

·         Sub-irrigation system controls moisture balance and prevents waterlog

·         All-weather wicker is UV-resistant

·         Removable liner makes seasonal plant changes quick and easy

·         Attached water meter indicates when it's time to refill  

To view more ideas for your home visit www.skymall.com click on the Outdoor Living tab.

Remember to listen to our interview with the Cajun Contractor on Home Talk USA on October 29^th at 10:00am central time.  Live streaming at www.hometalkusa.com

DIY: Go ahead and ask for ideas; it all about the conversation!

I wanted to highlight a conversation I had with Linde who contacted me through our face book page. The key to this exchange is not my ideas or what comes from them but rather it is about reaching out to a community to see what might be possible to improve the curb appeal of my home.

From Linde:  Tim. Thank you for calling me, I was helping a client.  I have attached a photo of my home.  I have recently put on new roof, gutters shutters and lighting, as well as painted the lower part a taupe. The accents are in a dark bronze (lamps, and gutters) I have no idea how to paint or what to do with it to add some pizzazz.  I noticed the window enhancements you offer are for other style garage doors where the windows are higher.  What Ideas do you have for making the house pop with some character?  I don’t like the big lamp above the front door it looks pretty plain.  Also the front screen door, not sure what color to paint it as well.    

From Tim:  Linde,

Here are our thoughts based on what we see regarding curb appeal ideas.

1. The large evergreen is overpowering for the house and draws away from other key elements like the trim, etc. Would you consider replacing that and putting in an area with lower profile, hearty plants?

2. You have 2 colors that stand out with contrast; the front door which looks like a maroon in the photo and the beige paint you have around it.

Both stand out and provide great contrast but.....

3. The balance of the trim is black and also provides a contrast but is not in harmony from our take with the front door area.

4. We would love to see you paint the shutters in a beige color as you did the front door area. Contrast but softens the lines of the home.

5. Continue with a brass or bronze theme with all of your trim pieces for lighting. (Picks up the earth tones in the brick you have and great contrast with white.

6. Your garage door if open to replacement would look great in a Clopay long panel Gallery series door with insulation. (I know Lincoln has got to be cold for a few months). Use their Sandstone color and match your shudders, etc with that color.

7. I noticed you have blinds in the garage door so how important is light to you in the garage door? You could use our overlays on the gallery door top panel if light is not an issue but curb appeal is.

8. Top off the look of the garage door with our Bronze signature set of hardware to finish the look.

I really had a gut feeling that the front door color would look great on your shutters and pewter finish on lighting fixtures would tie in great to your roof and gutter system that are black. Might be a bit bold but I offer it up as an idea. If you prefer that idea go with a white door and our pewter finish on decorative hardware for the garage.

I have included some close up images of Bronze and Pewter in our offerings so you can shop for products with true metal finish qualities as you move forward with your proj

What ever you decide to complete be comfortable with how you view your home when you pull in everyday.

Let us know what you decide and on behalf of the Coach House Accents team we appreciate the opportunity to be a part of your curb appeal improvement process.

Best Regards,

Tim

From Linds:  Tim, I have not yet read your email through, but just to tell you thank you for all the research upfront!  Wow.  Clarify that the trim, shutters and gutters are in a deep espresso brown, and does look like that more so than black.  The lower house color is a very complimentary taupe and

The roof color is the mix of the two.  Does that help clarify?  

I want to thank Linde for letting me post our dialogue on today’s blog as an example of how ideas and eventually DIY projects get done with the outcome we truly love. What suggestions might you have to share? I look forward to seeing the progress Linde makes on here great home.

DIY Resources for Women

Tim, Scott and I now have over a month into our blog which we sincerely hope you are enjoying.  Of the 18 or so posts we’ve completed this post will make the 7^th that is meant to assist women in completing do-it-yourself projects around the home.  (Authors note:  We will from time to time deviate off the DIY theme to cover women’s issues that are either timely or where providing another avenue to get the message out simply makes sense.  An example of which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month coming in October.)  What I have found in researching this topic is the general lack of specific resources or the many attempts of advertisers to hijack the topic to direct women to another product.  Not good.  In today’s post I will provide a simple list of resources including websites, blogs and forums that women can use to:

·         Get specific information for completing a project.

·         Get general tips to become more familiar with home repair projects.

·         Converse with other like minded DIY practitioners.

This is not meant to be an all inclusive discourse on the subject but more a simple starting point list from which you, the reader, can expand upon.

www.DIYHipChicks.com

www.Planitdiy.com

www.Homefixated.com

www.Barbarak.com

www.Prettyhandygirl.com

www.Hgtv.com

www.Diynetwork.com

www.Diychatroom.com

www.Doityourself.com/forum

www.Houserepairtalk.com

You can also listen to the live stream the Cajun Contractor at www.hometalkusa.com

Full Disclosure:  Coach House Accents is a vendor partner for the NHRA which runs the Planitdiy website.  We are also scheduled to b e interviewed live on October 29^th at 10:00 by the Cajun Contractor.   All other website are sources that we have used in developing our blog posts.

Remember, our topic schedule is:

·         Monday:          Curb Appeal

·         Wednesday:    All Things Women

·         Friday:             DIY

If there is a specific topic you would like to see us report on please let us know.

Thanks

Key Areas for Improving Curb Appeal

Lowe’s has an extension of their website that is inspired by creative ideas for the home and garden. In one of their projects they took a homeowner who wanted to improve the outside curb appeal of their home, the group honed in on the key aspects that would enhance the appearance and look of the home. The focal points were outlined in a problem and then solution basis to show needed improvements and then how to enhance the appeal. A few examples of the listed improvements needed to the home consisted of:

Arbor Pathway

Problem: No clear walkway linked the front and back yards, and the grass was worn down in places from foot traffic.

Solution: Stepping-stones define a path to the backyard and add visual interest to the large expanse of grass. An arbor creates an architectural connection between the front and back of the house, and a jasmine canopy adds color and fragrance.

Mailbox

Problem: The wall-mounted mailbox was too small to hold large amounts of mail. Plus the street address was hidden, making the house hard to identify.

Solution: A larger, freestanding mailbox is accessible from the street. It prominently displays the address numbers and holds a lockbox that keeps mail secure.

Door Updates

Problem: The garage and front entry doors needed updating to become more energy efficient.

Solution: A new Craftsman-inspired entry door and a carriage-house garage door give this fifties-era house a more traditional style, with the comfort of modern technology. New door hardware and a doorbell provide added security for the homeowner.

If you are looking to not only enhance the curb appeal of your home but also to boost the value, go though and evaluate your house and see what might need some work or even simple fixes to modernize your home. It doesn’t necessarily have to cost a lot of money to transform your home from a boring and unappealing first impression into a stunning home.

Source:
http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/curb_appeal_project_0308.aspx

Simple Deck Repair

With the approach of fall (then the dreaded winter) it’s high-time to go outside and look over your deck to insure it’s ready to withstand the coming changes in weather.  Heating and cooling, freezing and thawing, snow and ice all take a toll.  I found a very interesting piece on simple deck repair at www.howstuffworks.com  posted back in 2006 by Fix-it Club that will assist you in making sure your deck is properly prepared. 

A deck or porch can be a great spot for peace and tranquility. Caring for a deck, on the other hand, can be a nightmare. Decks are, obviously, constantly exposed to the elements, and can show signs of weathering even days after they are constructed. Most deck fixes that can be tackled by a do-it-yourselfer involve cleaning and routine maintenance. Here are just a few pointers:

Deck-Repair Tips

·         Inspect your deck frequently for popped nails and loose railings or boards. Remove and replace any nails that have popped with coated screws, and immediately repair or replace loose railings to avoid hazards.

·         To clean everyday dirt from a wood deck, use a mild household detergent in water to wash it. Rinse thoroughly.

·         Use mineral spirits to remove stains caused by tree sap. Rinse thoroughly.

·         To remove mildew, wash the deck with a bleach and water solution (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon warm water). Flush the area with water and allow it to dry. Commercial brighteners are also available; follow the manufacturer's instructions. If mildew is a continued problem, you probably have too much shade on your deck. Check to see if you can trim some tree branches or bushes to expose more of the deck to the sun's drying effects.

·         Deck stains make routine cleanup much easier and preserve the life of the wood. Apply stains specially formulated for decks immediately over new wood, except for pressure-treated lumber, which should age for six months before being stained. The deck will benefit from a new coat of stain every one to two years (be sure the stain contains commercial sealant). Follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying the stain. If your deck has been painted, you will have to remove the paint before a stain can be applied.

·         Avoid applying clear finishes, such as varnish or shellac, to wood decks. They don't withstand sun and moisture, and they must be removed if they start to peel.

Replacing Damaged Deck Flooring

The deck floor may be the first thing to go. When deck flooring breaks or wears out, more than the looks of the deck are involved. A weak spot in the floor is dangerous and can lead to further damage. Unless the whole floor is weakened, you can easily replace the damaged boards.

Deck flooring is nailed directly to the joists of the framing. To repair damaged deck flooring:

Step 1: Look at the boards to see where the joists are, indicated by a line of nails along each joist. Using a carpenters' square, draw an outline around the damaged area from board edge to board edge, from the inside of a joist to the inside of another joist. If the boards are damaged where they cross a joist, draw the outline out to the joists on either side of the damaged area. The boards in this outlined area will need to be replaced.

Step 2: Bore a hole inside two diagonally opposite corners of the outline, using a 3/4-inch bit. Position each hole so that it touches the marked outline on both sides but does not touch the sound boards outside the repair area.

Step 3: Cut across the damaged boards from hole to hole. You should have to cut only across the boards; the long edges are joined by tongue-and-groove edges and should pull apart. Carefully pry out the damaged boards with a pry bar. At the outside board edges, be very careful not to damage the tongue or the groove of the sound board outside the outline. You may have to use a chisel to remove the last pieces of the old boards.

Step 4: Cut new tongue-and-groove flooring strips the same width and thickness as the old ones, to replace the old ones. Test them for fit in the opening; they should fit exactly in the gap left by the old boards. On the last board, you'll have to cut off the bottom part of the groove to make the board fit flat. Cut the groove piece off with a hammer and a sharp chisel, being careful not to damage the rest of the board. Then sand the raw surface lightly.

Step 5: Brace the boards at each end by installing 2X4 cleats along the inside faces of the joists at the sides of the hole. Cut a piece of 2X4 as long as the hole for each joist. Paint all of the patching materials with wood preservative before installation, covering all surfaces. Let the preservative dry as directed, then nail the 2X4 cleats flat to the side joists, with their top edges exactly flush.

Step 6: If the old boards were rotten, you should take steps to prevent further decay. Cover the ground under the porch with heavy plastic, lapping the plastic about six inches up at the sides. Set a few stones or bricks on the plastic to hold it in place. For the most effective rot prevention, paint all exposed wood under the porch with a coat of wood preservative. These preventive measures will keep your porch strong and healthy for years to come.

Step 7: With the cleats in place, set the new floorboards into the opening, one by one, with their ends resting on the cleats along the joists. Set the first board in tongue first, and insert each board to lock its tongue into the groove of the previous board. Nail each end of each board to the cleat with two or three 16d finishing nails. At the last board, lock the tongue in and set the groove side flat over the tongue of the adjoining board. It won't lock to the joining board, but with the bottom of the groove removed, it will fit into place. When all the nails are in place, countersink them with a nail set, and fill the cracks and cover the nail heads with water putty. Do not use wood plastic; it isn't strong enough. Water putty dries rock-hard.

Step 8: To finish the job, let the water putty dry and then sand the patch lightly. Paint the patched area with a primer coat of porch and floor enamel, and let the paint dry. Then repaint the porch as needed.

If you want to spend your weekends lounging on your deck -- instead of sanding and applying varnish -- follow these simple guidelines to keep your deck looking beautiful.

 You can find additional DIY project support at www.bejane.com, www.planitdiy.com www.diyhipchicks.com, and www.homefixated.com.  You can also listen to Michael King the Cajun Contractor at Home Talk USA by visiting www.hometalkusa.com 

Women DIY Website

As my fiancé and I both work full time jobs we find little time for DIY projects outside of the weekend. With the little spare time that we have for home improvement projects, we found that to accomplish everything we want done around the house, we need to both be working on different projects throughout the weekend. I can’t say that I am a DIY guru but when we first began to split up on different tasks, I was either continuously checking up on her or she was glued to my hip asking me questions. As she ventured out and began to read different blogs and research more projects geared towards her liking, she stumbled upon a great website focused on women in DIY. HIP Chicks is a site that posts various pointers and projects that hone in on skills that incorporate the female touch.  The founder of the organization, Beth Allen, has various workshops on on electrical, plumbing, painting, tile, woodworking, weatherizing, and more. Along with the workshops Beth also does consultations on projects and ideas for your next DIY task.

It is sites like these that don’t only pose as new ideas for projects around the house but it helps build confidence for my fiancé and keeps her motivated to try new things and go outside of her comfort zone. As a result, she is coming up with great new ideas for our home,  finding more enjoyment in doing DIY projects, and even asking me less about what to use or if she is doing her project correctly. Take a minute to check out the website and explore the projects and helpful information; www.diyhipchicks.com.

Source:
www.diyhipchicks.com

DIY Project - Portable Tub Fountain

My fiancé and I have been looking at different type of water features for her garden for quite some time but just have not found one we liked or that was size appropriately to fit in her garden and look half way decent. We both enjoy listening to fountains or little waterfalls when we are outside relaxing, however sometimes they are either too large or not affordable on our budget at the stores near our house. This week I was able to find a DIY project that combined a small scale water feature that would fit in her garden along with an affordable price tag.

The materials needed for the DIY project consist of:

·         Submersible fountain pump that has at least 2 feet of tubing

·         Galvanized tub (ours is about 18 inches square)

·         Several clay pots or other filler, such as aluminum cans or foam blocks

·         50 pounds of various-size river rock

·         Galvanized 10-inch-diameter bucket

·         Drill and bits

·         Hammer

·         Metal file

·         Ceramic or glass 6- to 8-inch-diameter gazing ball

Step-by-Step

1. Start by placing the pump, with tubing attached, in the bottom of the tub, making sure the intake faces downward. Fill the bottom of the tub with upside-down clay pots or other filler.

2. Place a layer of rocks over the pots, but don’t pile them all the way up to the tub’s rim yet. Make sure the tubing comes up where you plan to set the bucket. For example, if you intend to place the bucket in one corner of the tub, be sure that’s where the tubing is positioned so that you can easily run it up through the bucket when the time comes. Run the pump’s power cord up and out of the tub.

 3. Drill a hole for the tubing in the bottom of the bucket, close to the edge. The hole size will depend on the tubing and should be no larger than the minimum required. This could require a fairly large drill bit, perhaps 3⁄4 inch or more. If you don’t have that size bit, drill several smaller holes in a tight cluster, then use a hammer to drive a chisel through them. Be sure to file away any sharp points.

4. Run the tubing up through the hole in the bottom of the bucket. The end of the tubing should extend at least several inches above the bucket’s top rim. Place the bucket in the rock-filled tub. In our example, the bucket is in one corner, but you could also place it in the center. If you want to tilt the bucket so the water will spill over one side, place a rock or two under the bottom of the bucket to give it the desired tilt.

5. Fill the remainder of the tub and the bucket with rocks, being sure to keep the tubing in place. Set the gazing ball on top of the rocks in the bucket, running the tubing up the back side of the ball (opposite from where the fountain will be viewed).
  
6. Place the fountain in your favorite garden spot and fill the tub. After you’ve added water, plug in the fountain pump. Adjust the tubing so the water creates the pattern you like best. Use rocks to hold the tubing in place. Adjust the tubing to alter the fountain’s pattern and change the look, sound, and amount of splash produced.

In six quick steps you can have a unique and even personalized water feature that can be created on any budget. My fiancé actually found a rock with a “K” on it for our last name to replace the ceramic/gazing ball as our centerpiece of the tub fountain.  It looks great and fits perfectly in our rather small garden, yet gives us the sound and relaxation that we were looking for.

Source
http://www.diyideas.com/howto/Garden/portabletub_1.html

Window Shopping.......time well spent?

As I pondered on a subject to write about one idea kept popping up based on how I was spending my time lately. In today's reality many of us spend our money much more cautiously and with careful consideration. With that in mind a long standing practice of many women has crept into our lives as a couple.

Many of my guy friends have expresses shock and disbelief that spending time window shopping could have value beyond couple time and .......they could not be more wrong. Guys call it scouting, call it project planning, call it anything but shopping but this practice can save time and money long term.

The time spent window shopping leads to discussions and an open format to exchange ideas and really define a home project or purchase before you spend the money. My wife Dana did a great job of selling this Saturday afternoon exercise to me.

Dana created a list of items we wanted to purchase over the next six months based on our budget. Included was the 50 inch HD TV by the way guys. This list created a great map of where we go window shopping and put a date out there when we planned to purchase it.

Window shopping a long held practice of many women is time well spent for all of us. By the way I truly enjoy the time away from the kids, TV and the phone; which women figured out long ago. Take the time this weekend to put on your comfortable shoes, get a good cup of coffee and do some walking and go window shopping.

Lawn Care Curb Appeal

I wanted to title this post Drive-by Lawn Care but both my wife and son told me that this was not a title tat would attract readers.  Though I think they're wrong I took their advice so here's today's post Lawn Care Curb Appeal.

My wife and I have lived in our house for a bit over 1 ½ years now and in that time we’ve done a lot of landscaping, upgrading outdoor lights putting up a basketball hoop (didn’t help the curb appeal but we have fun with it), etc.  During this time our subdivision has exploded from 18 homes to 37 with all of the homes sold and several more under construction.  A very unusual event in today’s economy.  Now, as I look around at all the new homes and new yards I see that my lawn looks like well let’s just say heck.  It’s not that we don’t water and fertilize we do.  We (I) just simply don’t do anything more than that with the result that the curb appeal of our home is less than optimal. 

The condition of your lawn is a critical first impression item for a potential home buyer.  Dead spots from your dog, grub or seed worm patches, ring fungus, thinning patches under a tree all are big turn-offs to a prospective buyer.  The good news is that many of these problems are easily cured.

Dog spots: 

·         Cut the dead grass plus another 1” – 2” in a regular pattern suitable for new sod

·         Flush with running water for 15 minutes to remove or dilute the dog urine

·         Fill with new clean dirt

·         Place new sod

·         Water

Insects:

·         Find a good 7 in 1 lawn insecticide

·         Apply and water per manufacturer instructions

·         You can either let the grass grow back over time or

·         Cut the dead grass plus another 1” – 2” in a regular pattern suitable for new sod

·         Fill with new clean dirt

·         Place new sod

·         Water

·         Understand that some of these insects once in your lawn will become an annual problem so plan your lawn care accordingly

Ring Fungus:

·         Very difficult to control

·         Mark out an area at least one foot beyond the ring and remove all sod in that area

·         Remove all the soil in that area to a depth of one foot

·         Refill the hole with new soil

·         Reseed or resod. Seeding is preferable as there is less danger of reintroducing the ring fungus.

·         Water

Thinning Patches in Shaded Areas:  Use any one of the “sure to grow” lawn products that are currently available.  Steer towards those that highlight grows well in shaded areas.

OK, these are some fixes for current problems however the real cure is proper lawn maintenance.  To insure a good looking healthy lawn you should:

·         Thatch your lawn in the spring

·         Use a pre-emergent fertilizer in the spring

·         Apply a summer fertilizer

·         Apply a summer insect control

·         Water at least 30 – 45 minutes 3 – 4 times per week

·         Aerate your lawn in the fall

·         Over seed your lawn in the fall

·         Apply a pre-emergent fertilizer in the fall

If you follow these simple steps you’ll have an inviting lawn for any prospective buyer.

To learn more about lawn maintenance visit www.lawn-care-tips.com.

 You can find additional DIY project support at www.bejane.com, www.planitdiy.com and www.homefixated.com.  You can also listen to Michael King the Cajun Contractor at Home Talk USA by visiting www.hometalkusa.com 

Recycled items in a DIY project.....Really?

Can you actually find yourself answering yes to that question? Recently we began working on an idea for a home improvement DIY project at our home in Florida. As we began creating the final plans we wanted; my wife Dana brought up an interesting point to me.

She asked me a series of questions.

1.    Can we somehow make this project "green"?

2.    Can we save some money looking for the ceramic tiles?

3.    Can we help out the local community where we live with this project?

In typical male fashion my response was “what are you talking about?"

Dana quickly informed me to hop in the car and we went for a short trip and ended up at the Habitat for Humanity Restore outlet.

Needless to say I was surprised after entering the store and compelled to know more. We found our tile at a fraction of the cost as well as several other items that spurred future ideas for DIY projects. The point Dana made very clear to me is that for many of us DIY people it can be about more than just saving money on a project. Here are the highlights of this type of program.

·         New and used items from building contractors, corporations and individuals are donated.

·         Items don't end up in a land fill when they have product life left in them.

·         Proceeds from these sales are used to fund local projects for those in need of good housing.

Called T2T (trash to treasure) or recycling by many the message is simple. As DIY people we can have an impact on so much more than the home we live in. If you have not visited such a center take a few minutes to do so and make a difference.

Information & Links to know more.

www.habitat.org

www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx