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 […]
Indoor
3 Bathroom Sub-Floor Rehabs: Schluter DITRA vs. Cement Board
I started my full-house rehab 5 years ago; it was supposed to be a 3-year plan. We’ll complete all the inside stuff this year, finally. Because… life intercedes as it does! But this rehab plan included 3 bathrooms. Two full baths and a powder room – and the demolition took us to the studs in […]
How to Repair a Leaky Basement Wall
2026 Update… My basement wall started leaking water into my office – right by my guitars. Fortunately, I spotted it quickly and it was a very slow leak. One that I could easily patch myself with hydraulic cement. But no matter how small the leak, it’s ‘a leak’ and it has to be dealt with […]
Phantom Dinnertime Doorbell Ringing
2025 Update – Every few days, right around dinnertime – my doorbell was ringing. And nobody was there. It wasn’t a repetitive ring, or a ring followed by the sound of laughter and kids running away; it was a very sensible single ring – beckoning for an answer. But nobody. While I wasn’t really sure […]
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 […]
Hygge: The Art of Making Winter Bearable
2025 Update – This one’s for the deep winter dwellers, those of you who live where it’s not unusual for your eyelashes and nose hair to freeze as you make your frigid way from front door to driver’s seat each morning. And hopefully that’s a heated (and massaging) driver’s seat because little creature comforts are […]
Carpet Tiles for a Quick Home Rehab
I never really considered the use of carpet tiles before. If I need to carpet a room, it’s usually something I contract-out because it’s clearly a talent – with wisdom acquired from experience. Best to have a professional carpet installer handle this. On the other hand, area rugs can be absolutely beautiful as well, adding […]
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