My Home Redux

Double Duty: Retaining Wall and Planter

My friend Alyssa provided this picture where she and her husband turned a retaining wall into a planter (complete with accent lighting).  As a bonus idea, see the pergola they created with table clothes and wire curtain rods.  Many smart ideas here!

Read how she describes it:

Wanted to send you pics of our latest project.  We had done the fence last year and this year we built the retaining wall (the fence had separated the pool and driveway - now the yard doubled in size but there is a drop from one to the other especially at the end of the driveway.  So we built a retaining wall with cinderblock and then used stone veneer to cover it.  We left the middle hollow though for a planter and ran lights through the wall.  Then built a pergola over the driveway (Texas sun is brutal) and built awnings that draw out over it using wire curtain rods from Ikea and table cloths.  We pretty much finished it yesterday.  Phew!  At 103 in the shade, this has been our most draining project yet.

In case you are wondering, I'm pretty sure the fence slides open to the driveway from an alley.

Latest Trends in Kitchens 2008

 Kitchens remain one of the most important rooms in the house when it comes to property value and resale. Given the current home market, it may be wiser to think about remodeling your existing kitchen than buying a new home. Here are the latest trends for kitchens in 2008.  (See comments about pendant lighting replacing the previously ever-popular recessed lights and that flooring other than hardwood - the far and away favorite for the last 10-15 years is now being rivaled by tile and linoleum!)

Bedroom Wall and Window Problem Solved

When you have a new home done or remodeled, often architects forget important features. Like where the furniture is going to go. That's right, they don't plan for televisions or beds. We had this problem in our master bedroom. I had to do some last minute redesigning so the bed wouldn't have to go in the middle of the room. So here's a great idea to get windows without sacrificing a wall for your bed to go against.  Brilliant!

A Great Way to Do Undercabinet Lighting

I love this idea that I saw at a friend's house today.  She had custom cabinets made by my Amish friends in Central Illinois. For the cabinet lighting, they created a space for the wiring to go so she could use small spot lights with no visible wires!  Love it!

Top 10 Cabinetry Trends

Cabinetry is one of the biggest expenses of remodeling or updating your kitchen. So what's hot and new in kitchen cabinets?  Maple and cherry are the most popular woods used right now. (Sorry, Oak - a long-time favorite - is considered very passe now.)  Function, embellishments, and furniture-like qualities rule. Read here for the latest trends.

Toilets that Save Water and Still Work

Toilets. Yes, toilets. I know this isn't pure decorating, but it's an important aspect to consider if you're remodelling a bathroom, changing toilets, or building a new home. Old toilets were water wasters, using up to 7 gallons a flush. But they worked, rarely clogged, and didn't require multiple flushes to do the job.  Then, the government mandated less water. And you were forced to buy "low flow" toilets. And they didn't work. The entire objective was lost when you had to flush two or three times.  Toilet manufacturers got smart and started working on designs and technology to use less water and still work effectively.  But beware, there are still toilets out there that won't do the job.

Check out this write up about toilets that do and don't work, the general cost, and even links to user comments.  Happily, some are still reasonably priced and work very well.  Do your research here.

Decorating and Remodeling Your Basement

Basements used to be cold, dark spaces to store stuff - one step up from the earthen root cellars of old. Then the washer and dryer went down there and maybe a space for the kids to play. Next, basements got some cheap panelling and throw rugs. Eventually, people started to finish them like the rest of the house to reclaim all of that previously underused space. Now, finished basements are the norm not the exception.  But basements can be fairly complex and tricky to do. Here is a site with pictures and ideas. (Note, I have no idea who writes this and get nothing for the sale of his book, but he does sound very knowledgeable.)  Check it out and get some ideas.

Make a Good First Impression with Your Front Entry Door

Curb appeal is important to creating a good impression for your house - whether you're selling or just trying to illustrate your good taste to your friends and neighbors.  Many elements of your home's front elevation contributes to your house putting it's best foot forward, if you will, but one element does make a statement - your entry door. The trend in today's homes are solid wood, stained (typically dark cherry or mahogany), with no screen door. (I like screen doors for practical purposes, but for the current fashion has regulated them to being somewhat "old fashioned".  I also prefer painted doors with sidelights like the door shown here.)  Between wood, color, panels, glass, and more the options for your front door is endless.   Here is a gallery of custom doors just to show you the breadth of possible ideas. For some good how-tos on selecting your front door, read this article.

5 Easy Home Improvement Projecs for Less than $500

It is possible to update a room and even remodel it without taking out a loan or raiding your savings. Here are five easy projects you can do yourself on the cheap for $500 or less.

1) Paint. A $35 can of paint (or two or three) can great a huge impact with minimal expense. In fact, if you've been ready My Home Redux at all, you've probably seen me write this, oh, say, at least a dozen times. Truth is, this is the easiest and best way to spruce up your house - inside or out - bar none.

2) New light fixtures. Whether it's a strip light across your bathroom mirror or an in descript ceiling fixture, changing light fixtures can make an immediate dramatic change.  Check out online lighting fixture sites (my favorites are Lamp Depot, Lamps Plus, and Lighting Universe), but you can also get some nice fixtures at big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot.

3) Cabinet Facelift. I can't tell you how many kitchens could simply be made new with a good coat of paint on the cabinets. You'll need to prep them well and paint carefully, but you'll save THOUSANDS of dollars. (Read here for some good advice.) Finish off the facelift with new hardware.  (You'll notice in the article linked here showing the picture above that they also painted, added new hardware and changed the light fixtures.)

4) Closet Organizers.  Unless you have a really large closet, you can still do this for less than $500. Simply go to a home improvement store. They carry similar systems as Elfa but much cheaper.  Add shelves, sliding drawers, and two-tiered hanging racks. You'll be more organized and your closet will also be sporting the latest style.

5) Shutters. Adding painted shutters - or changing the color of your existing shutters - is a great way to improve the curb appeal of your house. I'm surprised how many houses don't have shutters,and how many would look so much better if they did. Most traditional styles work wonderfully with these classic window accents. You can paint vinyl ones, but I prefer wood for this very reason.  Ok, wood shutters could cost more than $500, but the key is the front of the house - save your money and skip the sides and back.

So before you look at getting a home equity loan or liquidating your savings, take a second look and see if some simple ideas and a little imagination couldn't go far in enhancing and updating your home.

All About Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands are almost a requirement in today's homes. Provided you have enough room - and if you don't - have a rollaway butcher block island.  And remember, you can include bookshelves, bar stools, and more in your island, as well as the sink (or a second), a cooktop, or just a workspace.  Feel free to make a statement too using different cabinets or countertops. An island can truly be a focal point of your kitchen. Here's an excellent article about islands. See page two for measurement considerations.