Succulent Display from Thrift Store Finds

I’m on a succulent craze and I just can’t get enough of them! Every time we visit a nursery, the first thing I look for are the succulents. That’s because I don’t need much of a green thumb to keep them alive; they don’t need to be watered as frequently as other indoor plants. Continue reading

Crackle Paint Finish – Transformed Ikea Cabinet

Have you ever thought about a crackle paint finish to upcycle an Ikea wall cabinet? Neither have we: this update was a fluke! Hubs and I are supplement users so when our local pharmacy started a twice a year anniversary sale, we wanted to take advantage of the huge price savings. Unfortunately we didn’t have anywhere to store a 6-month supply of supplements until the next sale! Enter Ikea! Continue reading

Computer Hard Drive Clock

Ever wonder what to do with old hard drives? Then this is the tutorial for you! I got the idea for this computer hard drive clock from my niece. She used to make and sell these clocks for spare pocket change. Since her father (my brother) owns a computer repair shop,  there are always dead hard drives around ripe for the picking.

My wife’s first computer was a PC with a whopping 40 MB hard drive (I’m a Mac guy myself). I have to laugh at that now because these days storage devices can hold many thousands of times more memory – and we can easily fill a 3GB hard drive in just over a year with all our blog photos!

We took her old computer apart for this a one-of-a-kind computer hard drive clock. Continue reading

How to Install a Ledger Board: Tile a Wall (Pt 1)

A ledger board is a must-have step for supporting the weight of the tile as it dries when starting with a clean slate (no lower cabinets). If you’re as indecisive as us and you want to move ahead with tiling a backsplash, keep this post handy. We’re going to explain how to install a ledger board to keep wall tile level when installing. Our updated how-to guide for tiling a patterned backsplash will follow here tomorrow!

Continue reading

Milk Paint for Beginners – Paint a Shelf!

Today we’re got a tutorial on how to milk paint for beginners. Are you more eco-conscious than you used to be when it comes to paint? So are we! Many manufacturers are touting products that are made to be low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), but did you know that there’s an ancient product still in use today that’s been low VOC all along? It’s good old fashioned milk paint!  Continue reading

Level a Basement Floor with Levelrock

A level basement floor rose to the top of the priority list many years ago when we applied to be on one of those home reno shows. They chose to renovate our basement! – or so we thought. In the planning stages of the reno, the show’s contractor discovered that the slope of our basement floor was too steep to build on. The floor was inconsistent and out of level by over half a foot in some areas! There wouldn’t be enough time in the production schedule to fix it properly so they were going to have to take a pass on us. Continue reading

Engineered Hardwood vs. Hardwood – Shopping (Pt. 1)

Some people are confused about engineered hardwood vs. hardwood. Are you thinking about installing flooring? Whether it’s below grade or above, an engineered wood floating floor is the way to go. Especially so if you’re planning on installing it over a concrete slab, like in a basement.

Nothing adds beauty and warmth to a home like hardwood. In this first of our series on how we installed engineered hardwood flooring in our basement, we’re exploring how to shop for it. We wondered if engineered hardwood would be as good as solid wood and were surprised to learn that neither one is better. Only by weighing the pros and cons of each can you determine which one is a better fit for your own situation. Continue reading

Water Leak Repair (Part 1) – Frost Proof Faucet

Water leak repair is something we all hope will never be on the to-do list. While water leaks and burst pipes can be a huge problem, we’re showing you how to tackle the repair in two parts. Today we’re showing you how to install a frost proof faucet. In part 2, we’re showing you how to prevent mold growth after water damage.  Continue reading

A TV Remote Control Caddy Worthy of the Mancave!

Revamped just in time for Christmas, if you know someone with an abundance of TV remotes, a TV remote control caddy worthy of the mancave should be on your gift giving list! It has been totally re-written with better step-by-steps, a supply list, new pictures and variations on the original project. Continue reading

Ugly Christmas Socks: X-mas Sweater Twist

Whenever my brother-and-sister-in-law host a Christmas party, it’s always a hoot. They go out of their way to make it interesting with games and competitions – for the little kids and big ones (aka the adults) alike. This year, my B-I-L and S-I-L introduced an ‘ugly Christmas socks contest’ to the festivities – a twist on ugly Christmas sweaters. How they ever came up with the idea I don’t know, but I’m always up to a fun challenge so was eager to get started. Continue reading