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In the Workshop: Utility Knives

utility knife

Corbis

On any given work day, my utility knife is opening boxes, cutting plastic sheeting, trimming shims, cutting drywall and laminates, sharpening my pencil, and likely scraping dried joint compound off my putty knife. The list of its regular achievements goes on and on. In fact, it might be the most important tool I own. It's a simple item, but there are a few key things to look for when buying one.

The first is make sure that the blade is retractable. Every once in a while I see someone with the kind that has the blade always sticking out and I just hold my head in my hands. It's a razor blade -- and in addition to it being one of the most useful tools, it's also one of the most dangerous. I should know; I've worn a lot of band aids in my time as a carpenter, thanks to carelessness with my utility knife.

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Links We Love: Bedroom Improvements Galore!

Turquoise glaze on an old dresser.

A turquoise glaze makes this old dresser a winner. Photo: Centsational Girl


In case you hadn't heard, turquoise is Pantone's 2010 color of the year. I love, love, love it ... and so does Centsational Girl. She gave this dresser (a Craigslist find) a genius makeover with an antique French-style patina. Watered-down turquoise paint makes it pop, while a gray glaze and clear topcoat reign in the color for a just-right result. – Centsational Girl

Sheers are an alternative to tasseled tie-backs.

Sheers are a smart alternative to tasseled tie-backs. Photo: Casa Sugar

Here's a smart idea for keeping bedroom curtains neatly contained: it's the no-tie-back method. A set of sheers hung directly behind each curtain provide a privacy screen when drawn. When not in use, they can be tied neatly around each curtain. A very pretty alternative to the standard tasseled tie-back, no? – Casa Sugar

Windows still firmly shut against the cold? If so, you're probably yearning for a breath of fresh air. Let Tipnut's clever bed sheet laundering ideas get you through, bringing fresh, summery-scented bedding to your room all year round. Jasmine plus bergamot? Vanilla plus ginger? Simply heavenly equations! – Tipnut

Continue reading Links We Love: Bedroom Improvements Galore!

Cheap Trick: 2 Secret Ways to Clear Clogged Drains

clear clogged drains

Photo: Joe Provey

Forget everything you know about clearing clogged sink and tub drains. Throw away your snakes, plungers, and drain cleaners. There are only two things you need to know about clearing clogs, and neither one of them will cost you a dime...

Continue reading Cheap Trick: 2 Secret Ways to Clear Clogged Drains

Home Ec: 5 Things You Should Never Vacuum

vacuuming soil

Photo: Getty Images

Vacuuming is by far my most dreaded task -- the moving of the furniture, clearing of surfaces -- and then there's all the dog hair to contend with (and the dog, whose arch nemesis is the vacuum cleaner).

But once I have that vacuum in hand, I've been known to suction whatever's in my path. I admit, I've vacuumed quite a few items that I now regret having sucked up in my haste.

So I've compiled a list of five items you should never run your vacuum over. (No, not even if you "didn't see it.")

Continue reading Home Ec: 5 Things You Should Never Vacuum

How to Degloss a Surface for Paint Prep

sanding sponge

Photo: Jolie Novak, AOL

Looking to repaint that glossy trim work or that varnished desk? You'll have to degloss it first. If you don't, there's a good chance that the new coat of paint will scratch or chip any time you bump it with the vacuum or brush against it with the laundry basket.

So how do you go about stripping a surface of its glossy finish? There are two methods: sanding or chemical deglossing. Here's the lowdown on each.

Continue reading How to Degloss a Surface for Paint Prep

Links We Love: Surf Shack Table, Floating Shoe Rack & More


This week, let's kick things off with two very cool DIY space-saving projects!
Hartman Kable and fold-down table.

Hartman Kable demos his DIY fold-down table. Photo: Ready Made


First up: the creative space-saver in the current edition of ReadyMade. It's called the Surf Shack fold-down table. Hartman Kable, a contractor and avid surfer has gotten lots of buzz for his tiny, minimalist surf shack. Why's it so cool? He managed to fit all the comforts of home -- table included -- inside a modified shipping container. And he's done it stylishly, to boot. – Ready Made

Homemade shoe rack, Not Martha
Make this cool shoe rack! Photo: Not Martha

Looking for a footwear storage idea? Make your own low-profile shoe rack. Inspired by UK company j-me's clever design, which makes shoes appear to float a few inches above the floor, this DIY version can be cut to fit whatever space you've got to spare. It's also budget-friendly, which is always in style. – Not Martha

Continue reading Links We Love: Surf Shack Table, Floating Shoe Rack & More

Hammer Tips & Tricks

hammering nail, hanging picture

Photo: Getty Images

I confess: there was once a time when I hung pictures by pounding a nail into the wall with the heel of my shoe. But as I tackled more projects around the house and worked with different tools, I started pounding nails the right way: with a hammer. And then different hammers (did you know there's a different type of hammer for just about any job you're doing?). My days of shoe hammering are long gone.

Of all the hammers in my toolbox, these are my three favorites:
claw hammer, tack hammer, rubber mallet

Claw hammer; Tack hammer; Rubber mallet. Photos (l. to r.) Improvement Direct; Amazon; Lowe's

- A standard 16oz. claw hammer is just the right size for basic household projects like hanging pictures, removing loose nails, and installing hardware.
- A tack hammer comes in handy for craft projects like reupholstering tag sale finds, adding small trim to furniture, and assembling homemade wreaths.
- A rubber mallet is useful for tapping together loose furniture, assembling pre-fab pieces, and loosening stuck windows (Tip: If you don't want to spend the money on a mallet and you have an old tennis ball around, cut a slit in the ball and fit it over the head of your claw hammer. This will soften the hammer's blows and make it safer for those delicate projects.)

Over the years, I've picked up and thought up lots of handy hints you can use while pounding through projects. Here are some of them:

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Making News: Obama Outlines 'Cash for Caulkers' Program

energy efficiency, Cash for Caulkers

Photo: Getty Images


Imagine if the cooled or heated air in your home was festooned with little dollar signs. Now imagine those dollars signs leaking out of your house, one by one.

That's basically what happens whenever air escapes your home due to poor insulation or gaps around exterior doors and windows, for instance. It's a waste of both money and energy.

Now imagine that your monthly utility bills were reduced by $20 to $50 a month -- and those dollars were pumped back into the economy.

These are the goals of the new HOMESTAR program, dubbed "Cash for Caulkers". Today, President Obama outlined the details of the program, which aims to give cash rebates of $1,000 to $1,500 to homeowners who invest in energy efficient upgrades.

Continue reading Making News: Obama Outlines 'Cash for Caulkers' Program

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About DIY Life

Do Life! DIY Life highlights the best in "do-it-yourself" projects.

Here you'll find all types of projects, from hobbies and crafts to home improvement and tech.


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