NOTICE: Large moosehead wall lights have finally been invented.
360 Modern is a real estate firm in the Pacific Northwest U.S. that specializes in modern homes. Beautiful stuff.
Handy way to skip all the intro crap on DVDs that is usually forced on you when you throw a disc in your player. Apparently the chapters on DVDs that you can't skip (FBI warnings, copyright stuff, etc.) are flagged, on the disc, as UOP, or User Operation Prohibited. This site lists some of the techniques you can try to skip the ennui.
This colour coordinated bookshelf looks cool, but you might have a hard time finding a particular title.
For chewie edge lovers or corner brownie fans - it's the Edge Brownie Pan. All edges, all the time. Via BoingBoing
Puzzle carpet.
This to That is a handy site that will tell you what adhesive to use when attempting to glue various objects together.
Super creative bathroom tiles.
Skinny house in Brazil.
Apparently there are many LED lightbulbs available already. Via TreeHugger
WiiRoomba. YouTube of a guy controlling his Roomba with a Wii remote.
Hardcore Lost fans have a party and repackage the snacks and beer as Dharma Initiative rations. Make your own with the PDFs that they've so generously shared.
Here's a nice set of home improvement videos with the energetic and snappy Eric Stromer.
Faucet Fountain turns your regular faucet into a drinking fountain.
Kids and the Home Office. Here's a list of tips for the parent that works from home.
Save the Internet.
Great Pac-Man bathroom tile work.
Crazy toaster from the future TODAY!
Here is a nice napkin folding howto site with clean pictures and straightforward instructions. I think the shirt's my favourite.
DIY T-Shirt Rack via Instructables.
360 Modern is a real estate firm in the Pacific Northwest U.S. that specializes in modern homes. Beautiful stuff.
Handy way to skip all the intro crap on DVDs that is usually forced on you when you throw a disc in your player. Apparently the chapters on DVDs that you can't skip (FBI warnings, copyright stuff, etc.) are flagged, on the disc, as UOP, or User Operation Prohibited. This site lists some of the techniques you can try to skip the ennui.
This colour coordinated bookshelf looks cool, but you might have a hard time finding a particular title.
For chewie edge lovers or corner brownie fans - it's the Edge Brownie Pan. All edges, all the time. Via BoingBoing
Puzzle carpet.
This to That is a handy site that will tell you what adhesive to use when attempting to glue various objects together.
Super creative bathroom tiles.
Skinny house in Brazil.
Apparently there are many LED lightbulbs available already. Via TreeHugger
WiiRoomba. YouTube of a guy controlling his Roomba with a Wii remote.
Hardcore Lost fans have a party and repackage the snacks and beer as Dharma Initiative rations. Make your own with the PDFs that they've so generously shared.
Here's a nice set of home improvement videos with the energetic and snappy Eric Stromer.
Faucet Fountain turns your regular faucet into a drinking fountain.
Kids and the Home Office. Here's a list of tips for the parent that works from home.
Save the Internet.
Great Pac-Man bathroom tile work.
Crazy toaster from the future TODAY!
Here is a nice napkin folding howto site with clean pictures and straightforward instructions. I think the shirt's my favourite.
DIY T-Shirt Rack via Instructables.
Renovations that Kill Home Value
CNN Money has an interesting article on renovations that can actually decrease your home's value in the eyes of potential buyers. Some renovations can improve your homes value and thus almost pay for themselves over time - kitchens, for example, tend to have a cost recovery rate of 90% or more. Some improvements have a lower ROI, like basement remodelling which has a cost recovery rate of about 75%. This article lists four home renovation/improvement ideas that may please an owner but scare off buyers.
Link: CNN Money: 4 renovations that kill a home's value
Previously: Best Bang for the Buck Home Remodelling Jobs, Best Return on Investment Home Improvement Tips
Link: CNN Money: 4 renovations that kill a home's value
Previously: Best Bang for the Buck Home Remodelling Jobs, Best Return on Investment Home Improvement Tips
Gorgeous Concrete Countertops
Concrete countertops seem to be becoming more and more popular, and with example galleries like this one (and previously this one) it's easy to see why. Concrete combines solid, chunky beauty with a lot of flexibility-through-moldability, enabling designers to create some stunning countertops in both kitchen and bathrooms. The site does a nice job of describing a concrete countertop's personal value to its owner:
But remember, don't fall too deeply in love with anyone else's piece. You can have the exact same design and color as they have, but yours will be yours alone. Because as the mixture of sand, stone, water and cement cures, it captures a moment in time that's unique. The pattern of stone will always be different. The color will always vary slightly. And that's what makes it uniquely yours.
See also: Concrete Countertop HowTos
Blind Mark Drywall Cutout Tool
Here's a very cool tool that promises to eliminate the need for accurate measurements when making cutouts in drywall or panelling for electrical outlets and wall switches. The device comes in two pieces. The first piece is called the target, and is placed into the outlet or switch box. The second piece, called the target locator is attracted to the first piece thanks to two strong magnets that ensure perfect alignment and accuracy. Once the locator affixes itself to the target, the installer simply outlines the box and makes the cut with a dremel or whatnot. Very clever. Ah, why try to visualize it - view the demo videos here.Amazon.com page - unfortunately they are currently unavailable.
Manufacturer's order page.
Clever Hands Free Drywall Installation Tool
If you've ever drywalled by yourself, or even watched someone drywall by themselves as you've tried to focus on the comics and eat your chips, you'll know it can get terribly awkward. Usually people will rent a drywall lift that temporarily holds the drywall to the ceiling, freeing up the hands of the installer to secure the sheet with screws. Well, the Free Hands drywall support tool might make renting and lugging home drywall lifts a thing of the past. It certainly doesn't look like it makes ceiling installs 'easy', per se, as you still have to lift the sheets to the ceiling yourself, but it will save at lot on rental fees as well as time, once you get the hang of it (at least judging by the video (Windows media) from the Free Hand site.
Available from Amazon.com.
Via the always interesting Smart Stuff.
Another Doorway Arch Kit
Of the instant doorway arch kits we've seen, this one by Creative Corners looks like it may be the easiest to install, at least judging by the quick four step process outlined on their site. The company lists four arch sets, three of which come in two corner pieces, and the forth being a full, one piece arch.
QuietRock Sound Proof Drywall
If you're renovating and considering putting in a home theatre, you may want to think about soundproofing the area. A quality soundproofing job will both prevent outside noises from entering your listening room/theatre and, conversely, give you the freedom to listen to whatever you like without having to disturb your house mates. Here's a drywall option, called QuietRock, that claims to be able to deliver that level of soundproofing. From the site:
- A single layer of QR-530 is equivalent to 8 layers of standard drywall (acoustically)
- QR-525 requires no power saw
- QR-545 is the only THX Certified soundproofing solution in the world
- 10x more reliable than resilient channel with no resilient channel liability risks
- Use like standard drywall (installs without special training)
- Fire rated. Environmentally friendly. Lab tested. Available in X, anti-mold, greenboard, blueboard, high impact and others
Installation video from the website available here (direct link to wmv video).
Another Amazing Home Theatre
Wow. Here's another example of an amazing home theatre room, created by someone who obviously had a vision of what they wanted, and saw it through to completion. It's probably safe to say that the homeowner enjoys his cinema, no? The homeowner, Steve Jenkins, has posted galleries of the entire construction job, from sketch to finished room. Granted, it's definitely not the most subtle home theatre room in the world, but what a cool in-home movie experience it must create. It certainly looks like it would be easy to forget that you're still at home while enjoying your favourite Michael Douglas film.Amazing Home Theatre
This movie buff certainly takes his home theatre seriously. This is one of the more grandiose home theatres on the web (in recent memory, anyway). The owner obviously aimed for a true theatre experience, and given what must have been a sizable budget to play with, it's safe to say that he's achieved his goal. Here's a nice touch, from the site:
One of the things I wanted to do is to provide a true cinema experience for movie showing parties. So I have three DVD players. One is used to show the theater intro (Welcome to the Regency Theater, etc.) which was done by Digital Forge, the other DVD player is used to show a movie trailer as a preview of an upcoming movie, and then the third DVD player shows a DVD if we're playing a DVD that night (alternatively, we show movies on the JVC 400 D-VHS player).
Best Return on Investment Home Improvement Tips
If you're about to sell your home, be sure to check out this list of the most cost effective home improvement tips that will help you maximize your return on renovation investment. These tips focus on the easiest upgrades that produce the best results, versus the returns you can expect from performing major renovations, such as kitchen renovations or flooring replacements, as previously posted here.
From the videos available on Homegain.com:
...thoroughly cleaning and removing clutter from your home can be worth up to five times what it cost you to do it."
Kohler Bathroom Design Gallery
Kohler has a very nice bathroom gallery available for your viewing pleasure, and it's filled with some seriously nice bathrooms. The gallery is divided into three categories: contemporary, traditional and eclectic.
Of course if you were looking for something classy, like LED toilet seats, you'd want to go here.
Quick DRIcore Subfloor Video
Askthebuilder.com has a small video up on Google video about using DRIcore subflooring on a concrete basement floor. The video illustrates DRIcore's tongue and groove system as well as the clever levelling squares that DRIcore utilizes to allow the product to be installed on a standard, non-level basement floor.
SubFlor SubFloor System DriCore Competitor
Watch out DRIcore - It looks like you've got some competition that looks a heck of a lot like you. The resemblance is uncanny, really. Anyway, the SubFlor system uses a tongue and groove system that requires only the tap of a hammer to install, and is, like the DRIcore system, suitable for laminate, carpet or hardwood. Vinyl tiles are also possible with an additional underlay of quarter inch thick plywood. Ceramic tiles require an additional "cement board underlayment to ensure absolute sturdiness". The SubFlor site has a Flash based Interactive Installation Guide available.
Doorway Arch Kit by Insta Arch
As we've said before, doorway arch kits seem like an easy way to make a doorway look a lot less cookie cutter while adding some extra character to your home. Although, as easy as the Insta Arch kit may be to install, the 15 minutes that the company is claiming it takes to do the job seems like a bit of a stretch, especially if you've seen their pictorial step-by-step instructions. That's not to imply that the installation would be difficult, but for a first time installer, 15 minutes seems a little optimistic, to say the least.
DRIcore Subfloor System Installation HowTo
Brigitte Gall shows us how to install the DRIcore subfloor system. From the site: DRIcore is an ideal product to use on basement floors - or workshops. The plastic cleats raise the panels off the floor, allowing moisture to pass underneath. The DRIcore that Brigitte chooses for her workshop is perfect for so many reasons. It?s ideal for moist conditions, it?s attractive and it?s super easy to install.
Basement Waterproofing Howto
Doityourself.com has many useful step by step articles for home renovations and repairs, including this one on waterproofing your basement which may be useful to anyone with a leaky basement and looking to save some money by attempting to do the repairs themselves. The site also has a large, active forum with over 40,000 members.
Remove your Popcorn Ceiling
If your home is like most, it will have come with a generous serving of the quick and cheap popcorn ceiling. If you're thinking about removing it in favour of something a little sleeker, check out what Jason from jasongraphix.com went through to achieve a clean, popcorn free look. Also, something interesting - and scary, as Jason notes:Asbestos was used in some sprayed coatings for ceilings from 1935-1978 and can cause Mesothelioma & Asbestosis. It's a good idea to have a sample tested by an NVLAP approved testing center before getting started.
Nice List of General Home Repair Howtos
Here's a nice list of home repair instructions (in PDF format*) that cover topics ranging from novice (how to use a hammer) to intermediate (repairing cracked tile, repairing a defective light switch) to more advanced topics (basement foundation repair). They've also got a nice list of reference materials on topics ranging from the various nail and screw sizes to weights and measures and the metric system. *Regarding PDFs: it's been said before, but Foxit Reader is a really fast and lightweight alternative to Acrobat Reader that deserves some attention. Give it a shot.
Good List of Bathroom Design Tips
If you plan on redesigning a bathroom, or are lucky enough to be able to design and build one from scratch, here are some tips on making the most out of the space you have available to you, including things like where to place the toilet, amount of space required for sinks, showers and baths, as well as storage and safety ideas.
A Few Unique Ceiling Tile Options
According to their website, 3D "POP" panels (above) are a unique
"three dimensional, form pressed plywood element for modern interior decoration with wood."The unique 3D style of the panels would look super cool in a recroom or bar. The brochure (PDF) indicates that the panels definitely aren't the most inexpensive ceiling option in the world, however...
Ceiling Scenes "utilizes state-of-the art technology to print images or patterns directly onto acoustic ceiling tiles, creating truly custom ceilings. Whether you desire bright, colourful scenery or a subtle and serene visual treatment, our capabilities offer limitless potential to create genuinely unique environments." These images seem suitable mostly for a child's bedroom or play area, but an adventurous decorator might be able to work them into other spaces as well.
These tin ceiling tiles offer a very elegant, sophisticated look that can also be mounted as a backsplash.
via metafilter
Categories: ceiling renovations art unique metafilter basement recroom backsplash kids
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DRIcore Subfloor Tile System
Many basement floors require the installation of a subfloor to provide warmth by raising the basement floor up off of the cold concrete foundation. Installing a subfloor tends to be a fair amount of work, as a traditional subfloor system consists of, according to DRIcore:2x4 sleepers, vapour barrier, 1"-2" rigid insulation, 5/8" plywood and a lot of fastening.
The DRIcore system looks to be a more elegant solution. DRIcore comes in 2'x2' tiles and utilizes a tongue and groove system for easy installation. Also, from their FAQ:
DRIcore subfloor panels are engineered specifically for cold, damp environments typically found in basements. DRIcore subfloor panels are manufactured with a high density polyethylene moisture barrier that raises the 5/8" random wafer board core a ¼" away from damp, cold concrete floors. Since the panels are raised off the surface, the concrete floor is allowed to breathe.
DRIcore claims to save some headroom as well:
The combined height [of a traditional subfloor] is between 2 ¼" and 5 ¼" compared to 7/8" for a DRIcore subfloor panel.
Cool Doorway Arch Kit
CurveMakers.com offers these clever doorway arch kits. Modern homes are rarely built with doorway arches, which were much more common in the past. Arches offer so much character but usually require some significant renovation dollars. These kits, which are reasonably priced, allow any standard doorway to be made to look more elegant and unique. Very nice.
Concrete Countertop HowTos
Here is a nice howto on making your own concrete countertop from the diynetwork that covers template construction, mold making, pouring, and finishing up.Here's another very detailed tutorial from NaturalHandyman.com. Both are good, but the diynetwork breaks down the materials needed in a nicer format.
For some inspiration, take a look at Cheng Design to see some amazing examples of what's possible to accomplish with concrete.
Roundup of Online Paint Selector Apps
A small and obviously not exhaustive list of some online flash-based paint selector apps, for your reading pleasure.Probably the best paint selector. Paint simulation looks the most realistic. Behr allows searches by paint name or number and automatically coordinates colors to match. Program enables users to paint individual walls. Includes a nice 'Inspiration library'.
Benjamin Moore's app presents the user with multiple rooms to choose from, as well as the unique selectable specialty finishes. Has a standard color slider selector, and is pre-loaded with some color combinations. Not bad, but not great.
Chose between interior and exterior paint jobs. Multiple room or home types to chose from. The automatic coordinating of color types is nice. Some drag and drop action.
Multiple rooms to chose from, but clicking a color changes the one and only dynamic wall in the picture (i.e. user is not able to select individual walls). Very straightforward and too basic.
Useful Flash Room Planner
If you have an empty room to fill or even just grown tired of your furniture status quo, then this slick flash app will help you hack out a new layout. Start with either a prebuilt room or design your own room from scratch. Once you've settled on a room design, you're able to play around with different arrangements to your heart's content - no lifting belt required.
Best Bang for the Buck Home Remodelling Jobs
Remodelling Online has some useful cost vs. value data which might prove handy if you're planning any remodelling work around the house. If resale is what you have in mind, wikiHow lists some great ways to inexpensively increase your home's value. Ditto for the Peacock.
Some of these basements, on the other hand, probably weren't that inexpensive...
Recent stuff from HouseHacker:
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