2 Wednesday, April 11, 2018
It has happened to me, too. You are on your computer, or phone, looking for a new DIY project when all of a sudden you have pinned 25 projects and seven recipes that you just know you are going to try. Then, six months pass and those ideas have been lost in the abyss of your Pinterest boards, never having been made. Fear not, for I have delved deep into my “Very Crafty” Pinterest board to surface some easy DIY décor. They are pretty enough to jazz up any room, yet simple enough to keep your sanity. Let’s begin. Project 1 – Sculpture I know what you’re thinking, sculpture doesn’t exactly sound “easy.” But, I promise that this will be the easiest sculpture you make. First, pick up some oven bake clay at a craft store. I used white and painted my inished project, but you can buy it in almost any color imaginable. Second, think of what you want to make; I’ve been worrying about whether or not I’m killing my succulents, so I made them a little decoration to show how much I care. My plants got treated to a tentacle sculpture because one of them was purple-ish and reminded me of an octopus. Third, get to work. This is a great way to spend a day with the family because, if the projects are small enough, they will all it in the oven at the same time. The trick to baking the projects is low and slow. Most oven bake clays bake at 275°F for 15 minutes per quarter-inch of thickness. When they come out of the oven let them cool. Ta-da, you are now a sculptor. Project 2 – Candle holder This is probably the easiest project of them all. Pick up a can of looking glass
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spray paint, it gives regular glass a mirrored look, and a candle that will it in the opening of a glass bottle. Find an empty glass bottle and spray it with the looking glass paint. I found that a thin coat every 10 to 15 minutes worked best. About four coats should do the trick. When the paint is dry, stick the candle in the top. If it doesn’t it perfectly, shave off a bit of the candle until it does it. Project 3 – Gravity defying lorals The most daunting, yet most rewarding, of the three. A gravity defying fake loral arrangement that will keep guests wondering how you did it. All it takes is a teacup and saucer, a fork, fake lowers, something for weight, E6000 glue and a hot glue gun. Bend your fork into a loose ‘S’ shape. The tines need to lie lat on the saucer, while the opposite end needs to it inside the cup. Attach something to the underside of the saucer for weight. I found myself in the plumbing section of my local hardware store and picked up what looked like a giant washer. Use the E6000 to adhere the tine end of the fork to the saucer; to help keep it in place, I taped it down while it dried. When that is dry, attach the cup to the other end of the fork using the same method. If need be, weigh down the saucer with a soup can and stack objects under the cup to support it and keep it from falling. While that is drying, pluck the heads off of your fake lowers and heat up your glue gun. Arrange your lowers however you like and af ix them to the fork, being sure to cover all of the silver. Voilà, you have a magical lower waterfall pouring out of a teacup
Instead of giving away unwanted items that have gathered dust around the house, many people turn to garage and yard sales to transform their clutter into some extra money. Yard sales may not be a “get rich quick” scheme, but they present an environmentally friendly way to clean up a home. What’s more, they can be an ideal way to connect with neighbors and meet new people. Any money earned is an added bonus. Statistics collecting resource Statistics Brain says that roughly 165,000 yard/garage sales take place in the United States each week. Nearly 700,000 people purchase something at those sales, leading to millions of dollars exchanging hands. Yard sales may seem straightforward, but there are a few strategies to ensure such sales go boom rather than bust. Choose the right date and time Plan when to hold the sale by looking at the calendar and choosing an open weekend. Many people host their yard sales on Friday, Saturday or Sunday mornings, theorizing that this is when the most people will be free to browse their wares. Begin early in the morning so that shoppers will not need to disrupt their schedules much to visit neighborhood sales. A 7 a.m. start time will attract the early birds and free up most of the day. Advertise the sale To reach the maximum number of shoppers, advertise your sale in various ways. Signage around the neighborhood announcing the sale is one method. Signs should be bold, simple and easily readable for passing motorists. Place ads in local newspapers, online and on grocery store bulletin boards, and use social media to spread the word of the sale even further. Be sure to give ample notice of the sale so that shoppers can mark their calendars. Make for easy browsing Arrange goods for sale into categories and pay attention to presentation. You may
generate more sales if items are easy to see and browsing is made easy. Put popular items you expect to draw the most attention near the end of the driveway to entice passers-by. A neat and inviting appearance also may convey that you’ve taken care of your home and your belongings. Play some music and offer light refreshments to create a convivial atmosphere. Price things reasonably It’s tempting to overprice items, but a good rule of thumb is to mark things for one-half to one-third of the original value. Be open to negotiation, but try to haggle with a “buy one get one” approach, rather than marking down the price considerably. After all, the goal is to get rid of as many items as possible, with inancial gain a distant second. Yard sales are popular ways to make money and clear homes of unwanted items. Hosts can make their sales even more successful by employing a few simple strategies.
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Surviving life during a home renovation
Homeowners invest large sums into improving their homes to make them more comfortable living spaces or to inycrease their odds of selling quickly. The Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University predicted U.S. spending on home renovations and repairs to peak at $327 billion in 2017. Whether one is doing a large renovation or a small remodel, life may be turned upside down during the project. Furniture may be moved out of the room, walls may be demolished, water or electricity may be turned off, and appliances ymay be missing or not hooked up. Home improvements often drum up dust and disarray. Such projects can try the patience of any homeowner, and things may get worse before they get better. Even though remodeling can be taxing, the end result is often worth it. Here’s how to look forward to the silver lining and come out unscathed. Discuss the project before it starts. All family members should be in agreement before the irst hammer is swung.
Decide on as many details as you can ahead of time and have a irm plan in place. Establish back-up choices for tiles or color schemes in case the items you want are out of stock. Trying to make decisions under duress may result in bad choices. Do one project at a time. It’s tempting to want to improve as much as possible at once to maximize motivation and renovation materials. However, having no place in which to escape the mess can elevate stress levels. Do not think about renovating kitchens and bathrooms all at once, or you will not have any working ixtures for tasks like washing up. Have everything in place … Before demolition even begins, have building materials bought and stored, contractors and subcontractors lined up and see what you can do to minimize the time workers need to spend in your home. … but expect delays. In a world where things move at lightning speeds, renovations have not got-
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ten the memo. Home projects take lots of time and will likely take longer if you are doing the work yourself in your free time. Build lots of extra time into the project so you are not disappointed when delays happen — even when you’ve done your best to avoid them. Plan an escape zone. Construction environments can be messy, loud, smelly and a host of other
unsavory adjectives. The chaos that ensues when life is turned upside down can be overwhelming, particularly for the person who spends the most time in the home while work is being done. Build escape moments into the plan and make sure everyone else at home is on board. During the real grind of the project, a night or two at a hotel may be a welcome respite.
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Create space with rooms that serve double purposes Many homes do not have space for guest rooms, kids’ play areas and home theater lounges that are possible in homes with substantial square footage. But they may not be missing out at all. While large homes remain popular, many people are embracing the benefits of smaller residences. Small homes help homeowners save money, require less maintenance, have smaller environmental impact and reduce the temptation to accumulate “stuff.” Owners of small homes or apartments can still enjoy the benefits of larger spaces, they just need to equip rooms to perform double duty. Living room/guest room Entertaining guests is easier when there’s a dedicated space where visitors can feel at home. When furnishing a living room, keep the guest room in mind. A sofa that opens up to a bed or a convertible sectional can be a comfortable place for guests to lay their heads. Side tables provide guests with places to store their belongings and an empty storage chest can house bed linens or guests’ clothing.
Den/playroom Children tend to accumulate toys and games. And as kids grow from children to young adults, their list of must-have items — from video gaming systems to other electronics — grows along with them. Storage can make a room functional for both adults and children. Devote an entire wall to a closet or drawer system where toys can be stored out of sight when necessary. Storage ottomans can be used for extra seating while also providing somewhere for homeowners to stash stuffed animals or games for easy access. When choosing furniture, look for fabrics that are resistant to stains and modular pieces that can be moved around as necessary to create room for playing or entertaining. Bedroom/home office In 2015, 24 percent of employed people in the United States did some or all of their work at home, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bringing work home means men and women will need a space to work. In tight quarters, bedrooms may be the only available area.
A trundle sofa bed enables overnight guests to sleep comfortably right in the living room or den. An armoire-style desk will blend in with the decor and can hide paperwork and electronics behind doors. Otherwise, a makeup vanity can serve the dual purpose of providing a place to get
ready for a night out and a ready space to house a laptop during the day. In smaller homes, homeowners may be forced to turn rooms into dual purpose areas.
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Complete these home improvements over the weekend Home improvement projects ramp up when the weather warms up, as homeowners channel the rejuvenating feelings of spring and tackle their home to-do lists. Large-scale renovations can greatly affect a home, but smaller projects can yield impressive results and be completed over the course of a single weekend. If time is of the essence, these weekend or one-day projects may satisfy homeowners’ desires to ix up their homes. • Create an accent wall. Painting a focal wall in a home can create a serious impact. The bonus is it will not take as long or require as many materials as painting an entire room. Accent walls frequently feature a bold color, so decide on placement and tackle this project in less than a day. • Install stair runners. Dress up hardwood stairs with decorative carpet runners. Runners come in elongated pieces of carpeting or individual pieces that can be placed on each step. If carpeting doesn’t it with the home’s design, painting individual stair treads also can create visual appeal. • Dress up the entryway. An entryway
is a guest’s irst impression of a home. Many entryways can use a minor overhaul, both inside and outside. Paint the front door a different color so it pops from the curb. Install a new mailbox or decorative house numbers. A new welcome mat can change the look as well. Inside, consider laying a new loor. Resilient vinyl tiles come in many different patterns and can mimic the look of wood, travertine or marble. Installing a loor can take a day or two. • Install a new faucet. Instantly improve a kitchen or a bathroom with new ixtures. New faucets can provide aesthetic appeal and low- low faucets can help conserve water. • Create a gallery on the staircase. Gather and arrange framed photos, artwork or wall accents so that they ascend the wall of a staircase. This creates a designer touch and can dress up an often barren area of wall space. • Install a fresh light ixture. Improve drab spaces with a little illumination. Better Homes & Gardens suggests replacing an existing ixture with something new and vibrant. If hanging a new ixture is not within one’s skill set, free-standing table or loor lamps also
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can cast a new glow on a space. • Add molding. Molding can add instant aesthetic appeal to a room. Molding is appropriate near the loor, at the top of walls where they meet the ceiling, or even mid-wall as a chair rail. Some homeowners like to create framed molding on walls in formal living spaces. • Update kitchen or bathroom hard-
ware. Replacing hardware is a fast and easy project, but one that can have immediate impact. Swap out tired or outdated hardware for newer brushed metals and more impactful shapes and designs. Home renovations do not need to take weeks or months. Many projects can be completed over the course of a weekend.
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Things to know about the tiny house movement The tiny house movement has transformed the way many people look at housing and how it can help them downsize not only their residences, but also their lives. Living small has been embraced as an eco-friendly way to cut costs and simplify life. According to the tiny house resource The Tiny Life, the typical American home is 2,600 square feet, while the typical tiny house is between 100 and 400 square feet. Many tiny homes are smaller than the average urban apartment. Proponents of the small house movement say that living the tiny life isn’t really a sacrifice, but a way to experience a simpler, fuller life that frees them from expensive mortgage payments and unnecessary clutter. One of the advantages of tiny house living is that buyers are often able to buy their homes (whether stationary or mobile) outright, eliminating the need to finance their purchases. Tiny homes also boast much lower utility bills than more traditional homes. Outfitting tiny homes with wood-burning appliances can keep heating costs to a minimum.
In some instances, tiny homes are completely off the grid, harvesting electricity through solar panels and employing rain-capturing technology to supply water. According to the resource Living Big in a Tiny House, the tiny house movement is eco-friendly. Small homes create much smaller carbon footprints than large homes. In addition, the resources needed to build and sustain such homes pales in comparison to those needed to build and maintain more traditional homes. Furthermore, with less interior space, residents of tiny homes are less likely to acquire items they don’t necessarily need, reducing clutter and saving money. The following statistics, courtesy of The Tiny Life, paint a picture of the tiny home lifestyle: • Sixty-eight percent of tiny house people have no mortgage, and 78 percent own their home. • The average cost to build a tiny house is $23,000 for do-it-yourselfers. • Eighty-nine percent of tiny house dwellers have less credit card debt than the average person.
Tiny houses may appeal to eco-friendly prospective homeowners looking to cut costs. • Tiny house owners earn an average of $42,038 each year. • Many tiny home owners are age 50 or older. Those interested in the tiny house
lifestyle can find many companies that now specialize in these dwellings. Empty-nesters looking to downsize may find tiny homes are an affordable way to simplify their lives.
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Reduce risk of injuries during do-it-yourself projects Accomplishing a do-it-yourself home repair or renovation can elicit feelings of pride. DIY projects can be cost-effective and completed on homeowners’ unique time schedules. Although people can do many repairs themselves, using the wrong tools or equipment, or having insuf icient knowledge of the task at hand can increase the risk of injury. The home security resource A Secure Life says that more than 18,000 Americans die every year from injuries that take place in the home. Unintentional injuries can be traced to many factors, but making repairs around the house can contribute to accident risk. Falls, electrical shocks, broken glass, carpentry tools and carrying overly heavy loads repeatedly result in injury, says The Home Depot. Recognizing these potential hazards and always employing safe tactics can help keep DIYers stay healthy. • Ladder safety: A fall from even a few feet can cause severe injuries and even death. Ladders should always be put on a level, stable surface. Individuals should not climb higher than the second rung on a step ladder or the third rung on an extension ladder. • Tools: Every tool has the potential to cause injury. This injury risk increases when tools are not used properly. Before a tool is used, it’s important to read the instructions. • Wear protective gloves. Gloves can help protect against burns, electrocution, slippery grip and even deep cuts or inger amputation when using sharp
tools. Gloves also are essential when handling broken glass. • Power tools: Power tools have momentum and torque behind them to make fast work of various jobs. If using power tools, DIYers should ensure they are the right tools for the job, not something that is handy or a quick ix. Power tools should only be used if a person can devote attention to the task and stay focused. That means never consuming alcohol, drugs or medications that can impair function when using power tools. • Working with electricity: An electric shock occurs when a person is exposed to a source of electricity and the charge runs through the body. It can cause burns, cardiac arrest, changes to heartbeat, and even neurological injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic. DIYers should take precautions anytime they are working with electricity, including turning off the supply of electricity to the outlet or ixture being worked on. • Heavy loads: It is important to exercise caution when moving around heavy loads. A friend or family member can help with the transfer of building materials or to relocate furniture. • Distractions: Avoiding distractions is essential when doing home renovations. Keep pets and children away from work areas to focus entirely on the job at hand. Injuries can derail home renovation projects if safety measures are ignored.
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