I really hate those metal, industrial-looking air vent covers the builder installed everywhere in my house. Working on a crown molding installation recently, I had one of those ugly heating and air conditioning vent covers dead in the way. I decided to completely ignore it and add a large crown molding anyway (which is what […]
Carpentry
Grouting Hell – For a Natural Stone Mosaic Backsplash
If there’s an afterlife, and if I somehow end up in hell – I’m certain I’ll be grouting for all eternity. Grouting, for me, combines the worst of all things: the time crunch, a horrific mess with risk of ruining all the tile work you spent hours (or days) doing just prior, and the nightmarish […]
DIY Outdoor Playhouse Part 3: Lighting, Decor & Monkey Bars
2025 Update: In the initial installments of my DIY wooden playhouse adventure, we covered the first four steps of building a backyard playhouse from scratch. First, imbue yourself with self-confidence. Then imagine, plan, gather your materials, put on your work pants – and start building. At the end of Step 4, we left the playhouse […]
How to Build a Playhouse, Part 2: Framing, Foundation and Roofing
2025 Update: The first installment of my five-step rookie carpenter’s guide to playhouse building covered Steps 1-3, which guide you through building the confidence you need to pull it off, concocting the playhouse in your imagination, and then putting it all down on paper and gathering your materials and tools. But that’s all the easy […]
A Rookie Carpenter’s Five-Step Guide: How to Build a Playhouse – Part 1
2025 Update: When my daughter Ruby went through her first playhouse stage a few years ago when she was five, I did what I always do: I headed over to Amazon to see what there was to see in that department. Normally, Amazon is a magical repository containing exactly what I need at any given […]
Using Corner Blocks for a DIY Crown Molding Installation
2025 Update – Corner blocks can make a crown molding installation job SO much easier. And the whole room a lot more striking, in the end, too… I’ve written previously about the beauty of architectural trim work; I love it. You can change the “feel” of most any living area with the art and elegance […]
My DIY Powder Room Rehab
My DIY powder room rehab took time out of every weekend over the past 4+ months, and I think it came out great. (Far better than I expected, actually!) Imported beveled subway tile halfway up the walls, topped with a mitered glazed ceramic chair rail. A colorful, but not overwhelming, floor tile from Spain – […]
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