DIY Life http://www.diylife.com DIY Life http://www.diylife.com/media/feedlogo.gif DIY Life http://www.diylife.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Office Organization -- Spring Cleaning Guidehttp://www.diylife.com/spring-cleaning/office-organization/http://www.diylife.com/spring-cleaning/office-organization/http://www.diylife.com/spring-cleaning/office-organization/#commentsFiled under: ,

Office organization is your ticket to a home office that works for you!

office organizationOffice organization clears your desk and your mind. Photo: Getty Images

Messy desks plague most home office - for those of you who are able to confine office type mess to the office. People with no time to tidy up, who end up spending more time looking for things then actually being productive.

When you consider that all this mess is affecting productivity it is time to make a change.

Taking back your workspace isn't easy. The home office often becomes a place to dump boxes of outgrown baby clothes, ancient computer parts and even random junk that's lying around when company is on their way over. Here are a few tips to help you feel good in your workspace.

Once you've decided how the room will be used, only keep relevant things there.
Find another place for old baby clothes. If your house is really short on space and you need to use the office, find a way to separate storage area from work area. This could be as simple as a hanging curtain, or confining Rubbermaid bins to the closet. This will keep your workspace as a dedicated area even if the room is serving two purposes.

File papers right away.
File papers as soon as they come into the house; it's far less work than filing a huge pile at once (and even less work than looking for something come tax time!). If you find that files get too messy, you might like to use binders instead. Keep a three hole punch handy and put important papers in a binder as they come in. These are easy to flip through when you need to find something later. Organize them neatly on a shelf with labels facing outward.

Don't be afraid to throw things out.
Most of us keep papers way too long. Not necessarily because we think we need them, but because they once got filed and forgotten. Go through your papers and get rid of old things giving yourself a fresh start.

Add some style
Add a little personality to your work space. Maybe this could be the room where you allow posters or prints that you like but wouldn't dare display in the living room (dogs playing poker anyone?).

TACKLE OFFICE CLUTTER
Does your home office have a desk that's covered with files and piles of paper? What you need are some office organization tips that work. In the following video, a professional organizer provides smart tips for keeping the clutter under control. On her to-do list:

-- Assign everything a "home" so it's easier to make sure each item stays where it belongs.
-- Never let books sit on your desk because their home should be in your bookcase.
-- Keep a shredder or recycle bin handy at all times so you don't accumulate papers on your desk.
-- Use a napkin holder or vintage toast rack to separate your incoming mail so it doesn't end up tossed about.

Watch the video for lots more tips from a pro on office organization.




UTILIZE HIDDEN STORAGE
In the following video, a professional organizer recommends clever office organization tactics we'd never even thought of, like transforming a closet in or near the office into a bookcase or file cabinet. You can close the doors to keep clutter out of sight and out of mind. Here's how it's done.




SEE ALSO:
Build a Closet Office (Popular Mechanics)
40 Stylish Gifts for the Home Office (Houzz)

 

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]]>Kristine Solomon2011-03-07T18:37:00 00:00Cleaning with Vinegar -- Spring Cleaning Guidehttp://www.diylife.com/spring-cleaning/cleaning-with-vinegar/http://www.diylife.com/spring-cleaning/cleaning-with-vinegar/http://www.diylife.com/spring-cleaning/cleaning-with-vinegar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cleaning with vinegar is a tried and true way to get a naturally sparkling home without using toxic chemicals.

cleaning with vinegarCleaning with vinegar is the natural way to squeaky clean abode. Photo: Getty Images

Tired of noxious cleaning chemicals? Vinegar is a fantastic all-natural cleaning agent for household surfaces. Surprisingly, cleaning with vinegar doesn't leave the bold, salty stench you might imagine. Once you wipe a surface clean, the vinegar odor disintegrates into a sweet, fresh smell.

Here's a list of common problem areas in the home that you can address with vinegar.

Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher, pour a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and run it through one 'rinse' cycle. Repeat this monthly.

Banish lime deposits in a tea kettle by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water and letting it sit overnight. If the deposits are still intact, boil another 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar in the kettle for a few minutes, let cool and rinse with plain water.

Remove a label or price tag, cover the adhesive with a cloth soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave the cloth on overnight and the label will slide off by morning!

Get rid of mildew and soap scum from the tub or shower by wiping the surface with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse with water.

Deodorize the toilet, pour three cups of white distilled vinegar into the bowl and let sit for about a half hour before flushing.

Remove paint from windows, doors or glass, try using hot undiluted, white distilled vinegar. Give the solution time to soften the paint before removing with a razor edge tool.

Clean and disinfect baby or pet toys add a generous splash of white distilled vinegar to soapy water.

Clean sticky scissors with a white distilled vinegar-soaked cloth.

Clean the grill by spraying white distilled vinegar over crumpled aluminum foil and scrubbing the grill vigorously with the foil.

Clean and deodorize counter tops with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.


CLEANING WITH VINEGAR: WINDOWS AND MIRRORS
Many brand name cleaners are beginning to offer environmentally friendly versions of their glass cleaners, but perhaps one of the greenest of all is cleaning with vinegar. Use a simple solution of 2 tbsp white vinegar in a gallon of water, with the newspapers used to clean instead of paper towels. If vinegar isn't your thing (if you have a lot of windows to clean the smell might be a bit much) lemon juice or club soda are good alternatives.

For another method of window cleaning, check out this video:





CLEANING WITH VINEGAR: ODORS
Vinegar is excellent for removing odors from your clothing, as well as perspiration stains. Placing a bowl of vinegar on your counter overnight will rid the room of odor.

CLEANING WITH VINEGAR: LAUNDRY
Cleaning clothes with vinegar is an easy, inexpensive way to deodorize your laundry.

Many people already know that white vinegar in a small bowl will remove smoky or musty odors, and that you can put the bowl on a closet floor or shelf if those odors happen to be stuck in your coats and jackets. What many people do not know is that, if you put white vinegar in your wash water at the beginning of a laundry load, it will both freshen and soften the clothes being washed. The scent of vinegar will have miraculously disappeared by the end of the wash cycle, but everything will smell very clean. You don't need much vinegar: a half cup is sufficient, a full cup is plenty, and exact measurements probably aren't necessary. Don't forget to add your usual detergent, too!

cleaing with vinegarGet your fixtures gleaming by cleaning them with vinegar. Photo: Getty Images

CLEANING WITH VINEGAR: BATHROOM FIXTURES
The rust stain removing toilet bowl cleaners produced for the market today can be very toxic. Why not try using full strength vinegar instead and let it sit in your toilet bowl for about 15 minutes, then scrub the bowl as usual. That spray mixture you made for your windows will also shine all the porcelain and fixtures in your bathroom and works just great for killing bacteria.

CLEANING WITH VINEGAR: NO-WAX FLOORS
Cleaning your no wax floors with a solution of 1 cup vinegar per gallon of water will give your floors a shinier surface.

CLEANING WITH VINEGAR: WOOD PANELING
You can clean your wood paneling with a mixture of 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 cups warm water. This will be awesome for us, because if we can buy the place, we don't want to tear down the solid wood paneling that my dad worked so hard to install in his house.

 

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]]>Kristine Solomon2011-03-07T16:30:00 00:00Green Cleaning -- Spring Cleaning Guidehttp://www.diylife.com/spring-cleaning/green-cleaning/http://www.diylife.com/spring-cleaning/green-cleaning/http://www.diylife.com/spring-cleaning/green-cleaning/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Take the toxic chemicals and fumes out of your spring cleaning routine with this guide to green cleaning your house from top to bottom.

green cleaningGetty Images

Green cleaning is an eco-friendly way of scrubbing down the house using natural products that don't damage the environment, like soap, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and borax. Floor steamers are also green cleaners, since the only thing they clean with is water.

GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS
Don't just rely on labels that trumpet terms like "green" and "eco-friendly. The trick is being able to sift through a label and tell what's what.

Here are just a few ingredients that are considered toxic:

-Ammonia
-Chlorine bleach
-Methylene chloride
-Sulfuric acid
-Sodium hydroxide

And here's an obvious one: any product with a word like "danger" "warning" or "caution" on the bottle is clearly toxic.

When shopping for ecologically-sound household cleaners, look for products that are labeled as non-toxic and environmentally friendly. But also be wary of these claims, as there are very few regulations for manufacturers' environmental labeling. And always opt for companies that disclose their ingredient list.

green cleaningGreen Seal and EPA

You can also look for the Design for the Environment (DfE) seal, which guarantees the the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved each ingredient for potential human health and environmental effects. Another reliable certification is the Green Seal, which is a science-based environmental certification from a non-profit organization.

Good old-fashioned baking soda, white vinegar, soap and lemon juice are always green choices, but there are also many pre-made cleansers that are safe for the earth.

Here are some green cleaning brands we've tried and like:

Chlorox's Green Works line
Mrs. Meyers
S. C. Johnson's Nature's Source line
Seventh Generation
SimpleGreen
Weiman

The good news for the style-conscious among us: Green products have morphed over the past decade from a hippie-inspired gesture to the mark of a cutting edge consumer. Here are some of our favorite fashion-forward green cleaning brands.

Photo: Courtesy of TWIST


Twist Sponges
Originally designed as an alternative to the conventional, yellow-green scrubbing sponges, Twist combines all natural, plant-based products like non-dyed cellulose, agave fiber and hemp. Twist's Matt Bauman says their classier looking packaging is almost coincidental -- the byproduct of its natural earth tone ingredients in a world of "gross, industrial looking" spongeware. Here's a list of places to find Twist sponges near you.


Photo: Bon Ami

Bon Ami Clean
Bon Ami, founded in 1886, was a pioneer in green cleaning. Carolyn West, Director of Sustainability, whose family has owned the company since the 1970s, says that even after the post-WWII influx of chemically saturated products, Bon Ami recently updated their packaging to make it more modern but kept their formula grounded in all natural ingredients.

Join Bon Ami's Good Friends Group to be included in regular product giveaways; you can order directly off the site.


Photo: Method


Method Clean
The Method product line is the brainchild of Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan who united their diverse backgrounds in chemistry and design to create shelf-popping products with enviro-friendly ingredients; they refused to sacrifice scent and smell like many products of the 1990s, while still adhering to strict standards of quality, earth-safe ingredients.

Method also follows the Cradle to Cradle design philosophy, considering the past, present and future impact of every product and assessing every ingredient with these standards. Fueled by their early vision to combine form and function, "we wanted products that were beautiful to look at," says Method's Katie Molinari, "but also functional in use."

Photo: Courtesy of Nellie's

Nellie's All-Natural Dryer Balls
These throw back, plastic-spiked creations are in line with Nellie's All-Natural Product's greater vision to use "non-toxic, hypo-allergenic and environmentally friendly cleaning products that reduce consumption and allow you to use only what you need." The PVC free dryer balls come in nostalgic packaging and feature a new natural fragrance option and promise to reduce drying time by 25% -- cutting energy, time and costs. Use the site to find a retailer near you.

GREEN CLEANING TOOLS

green cleaningSustainable cleaning tools for greener cleaning. Photos (clockwise from top left): Scotch Brite, GreenSweep, The Containter Store, Skoy

Now that you've got your arsenal of green cleaning products, check out our recommendations for green cleaning tools.

Casabella
Made from recycled soda bottles, this perky-green bucket is part of the the eclipse series by Casabella ($13). Not only will it hold suds, this bucket would also effectively store your Method, Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyer's products.

Greensweep
Worn-out tires and plastic were transformed into the broom head of this broom by GreenSweep. Bamboo, considered a renewable material because of its rapid regrowth, is in the broom's handle. Rounding out this very green cleaning tool are bristles on the broom head made from a mix of natural and recycled plastics. It's designed to be used indoors and outdoors.

Scotch Brite
Adding more waste to the trash when cleaning up a floor or countertop -- such as a dirty rag or cloth after it's been used -- does not make ecological sense. That's where Greener Clean natural bamboo cleaning cloth from ScotchBrite comes in. It's biodegradable and made from 100% natural fibers. Because it's derived from 60% bamboo rayon (a very renewable material) and 40% cotton, you know that it was made with the environment in mind. Plus it can be reused.

Skoy
Two California moms, who were fed up with cloths that are made from toxic materials, teamed up to design these biodegradable cleaning cloths ($6 for four, in an array of colors). Made in Europe, in a factory known to adopt sustainable business practices, SKOY multi-use cloths are chlorine-free and made from a natural cotton and wood-based cellulose pulp. Using one cloth, according to the founders, will last as long as 15 rolls of paper towels would.

green cleaning, mirror cleaningGetty Images



GREEN MIRROR CLEANING
If your mirrors seems like magnets for every droplet, particle and print possible, reflect on these green mirror cleaning tips.

Daily Mirror Cleaning
Regular day-to-day mirror cleaning is a cinch -- and totally green -- if you use a little rubbing alcohol on a soft, lint-free cloth (I like microfiber); it'll wash away all sorts of spots and smudges. Plus, alcohol disinfects while it cleans and it evaporates as it dries so it leaves nothing behind but a streak-free shine!

Fresh out of rubbing alcohol? Try an antiseptic mouthwash, which has the same effect as the rubbing alcohol when applied to a lint-free cloth and used to buff the mirror.

If you don't like the smell of the alcohol or mouthwash, brew yourself a cup of tea and leave half of it to cool in the fridge for a while. Then dip a lint-free cloth into the tea and scrub the mirror. It's tea for two -- you and your mirror!

If these mirror cleaning solutions are all a little too drippy for you, try gel hand sanitizer to clean and shine all of your mirrors in seconds flat.

Removing Water Spots from the Mirror
Grab the baking soda from your pantry -- or keep an extra box in your medicine cabinet. A little of the this go-to green cleaning powder on a dry cloth will buff unsightly water spots away without leaving streaks behind.

GREEN CLEANING YOUR BATHROOM



























GREEN CLEANING YOUR SHOWER



























GREEN CLEANING YOUR BATHROOM FLOOR




























GREEN CLEANING YOUR TOILET


























HOW TO MAKE NON-TOXIC GREEN CLEANERS

 

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]]>Kristine Solomon2011-03-07T13:40:00 00:00Granite Countertop: Fake It Till You Make Ithttp://www.diylife.com/2011/03/04/granite-countertop-faux/http://www.diylife.com/2011/03/04/granite-countertop-faux/http://www.diylife.com/2011/03/04/granite-countertop-faux/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Get the look of a solid granite countertop in your kitchen with one of these three fabulous faux granite treatments -- and serve up high style on a humble budget.

granite countertop, faux granite countertopsSolid granite is one of the most popular countertop options out there -- also one of the priciest. Photo: granite-charlotte, Flickr

If you're like most Americans, the idea of a glossy, modern granite countertop in your kitchen sounds pretty sweet. But unless you've got a generous budget and/or abundant DIY skills, granite countertops may not be in your forseeable future.

Or are they? We found three easy DIY applications that let you mimic the look of solid granite countertop (trust us, they look just like the real thing!) at a fraction of the price.

1. Countertop Paint Kit
You may have wondered, is it possible to paint your laminate countertops? The answer is yes, and to fabulous effect. If you want to paint your laminate countertops with a faux finish that looks eerily identical to granite, check out this video. It demonstrates the results of the Giani Granite paint kit, which includes several types of paints, tools for applying the finish (including a textured sponge), and a high-gloss finishing coat that mimic granite countertop.

You're watching Faux Granite Countertops. See the Web's top videos on AOL Video


2. Granite Tile
Tile installation is a pretty doable project for DIYers of all levels. So if the idea of installing solid granite countertop seems a bit daunting, consider installing granite tile over your existing surface -- as long as you're okay with the grout lines, that is. Granite tiles are usually about 12" square and because they're thinner than a stone slab, they're also lighter and easier to handle. Watch this video to learn more about granite tiles.


























3. Plastic Laminate with Granite Look
We know what you're probably thinking: There's no way plastic laminate can look or feel like real granite. But quality plastic laminate post form tops are actually produced with both matte and glossy finishes plus subtle grooves that mimic the texture of real granite countertop, to both the eye and the touch -- at about 50% less than natural stone slabs. Watch as DIYer Danny Lipford explains the ins and outs of stone-look plastic laminate countertops.

 

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]]>faux+granite+countertopsfauxgranitecountertopsgranitegranite countertopsgranite+look+laminate+countertopsgranitelooklaminatecountertopshow+to+make+granite+countertopshowtomakegranitecountertopskitchen+countertopskitchencountertopsKristine Solomon2011-03-04T15:00:00 00:00Rose Care: Make Your Valentine's Flowers Lasthttp://www.diylife.com/2011/02/14/rose-care-make-your-valentines-flowers-last/http://www.diylife.com/2011/02/14/rose-care-make-your-valentines-flowers-last/http://www.diylife.com/2011/02/14/rose-care-make-your-valentines-flowers-last/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

They may not last forever, but your Valentine's Day flowers can stay vibrant for quite a while with these DIY cut flower tips.

rose care, valentines flowers, cut flowersGetty Images

Score a bouquet of Valentine's Day flowers? Lucky you! Now, before you just plop those babies in a vase, take note: there are a few tried and true flower care tips -- and some not-so-ordinary ideas -- that can keep cut roses and other buds looking as fresh as a daisy for a week or more.

As soon as you receive a bouquet of flowers:

1. Use garden shears or a sharp knife to cut about one inch off of each stem at a 45-degree angle. Do not use a regular pair of scissors; the pressure will damage the stems.

2. Fill a vase (or try an unexpected vessel like a metal bucket or a pitcher) two-thirds of the way with lukewarm water.

3. Remove any leaves and foliage from the stems before placing them in the water. Decomposing leaves can contaminate the water.

Adding a preservative to the water is a smart way to keep it bacteria-free, and to provide the cut flowers with enough nutrients to hold out a bit longer than they might otherwise. If you don't have store-bought flower preservatives on hand, try one of these DIY preservatives:

Add a few tablespoons of sugar to a vase filled with lukewarm water. The sugar acts as the plant's food, long after the root supply has been cut off.

Add an aspirin and a penny to the water to keep the flowers bright and perky for a few extra days. The aspirin lowers the water's pH level, warding off bacteria, and the penny serves as a fungicide.

Add a bit of bleach to the water. Yes, this last one sounds dangerous, but lots of people swear by it. Be conservative: about 1/4 tablespoon of bleach per quart of water is more than enough. If used in moderation, the bleach helps purify the water and kill bacteria.

Need some guidance for arranging your Valentine's Day roses in the vase? Check out this video!




Got any tips for keeping Valentine's Day flowers fresh? Share your ideas in the comments below!

 

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]]>aspirin+for+flowersaspirinforflowershow+to+care+for+roses+in+a+vasehow+to+make+flowers+last+longerhow+to+take+care+of+roses+in+a+vasehowtocareforrosesinavasehowtomakeflowerslastlongerhowtotakecareofrosesinavaserose+carerosecareKristine Solomon2011-02-14T19:30:00 00:00DIY Chocolate Flowers for Your Valentinehttp://www.diylife.com/2011/02/08/chocolate-flowers-valentines-day/http://www.diylife.com/2011/02/08/chocolate-flowers-valentines-day/http://www.diylife.com/2011/02/08/chocolate-flowers-valentines-day/#commentsFiled under: , ,

What's even better than flowers and chocolate for Valentine's Day? Flowers made out of chocolate, of course! Design duo Larry Abel and Raymond McAllister teach us all about this unlikely art form.

At last last month's InStyle Golden Globes Godiva lounge, celebrity guests were dazzled by floor-to-ceiling chocolate flowers, arranged in modern acrylic vases. And last year, the same DIYers who made those flowers designed an entire set made from Godiva chocolates -- from ornate chandeliers to fireplace logs to, of course, flowers. Both displays were grand -- the kind of thing you'd think would take years of intense training.

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersOversized chocolate flowers at the Godiva lounge at the 2010 Golden Globes. Photo: InStyle

But the event designers behind these works of candy art are actually self-taught crafters. Larry Abel and Raymond McAllister, who now run the event design company "abel mcallister de-signs," were your average 9-to-5-ers before leaving their day jobs to pursue their passion. Abel, formerly the Senior VP of Brand Marketing for Mars, Inc. -- yep, the chocolate company -- and McAllister, who's worked as the Visual Manager for the Chicago Old Navy flagship store, now plan and execute elaborate designs for bold-name events ranging from the People Magazine Grammy Party and Entertainment Weekly's Upfronts to the upcoming Piaget Lounge at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Godiva Bar at the Elton John Oscar Party.

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowers, godiva lounge, larry abel, raymond mcallisterLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Oh, and the duo doesn't just work with chocolate. In fact, Abel and McAllister pride themselves on working with a range of unlikely mediums. We spoke with the designers about their outside-the-box art works, what it's like to work with chocolate -- and what they're getting (and giving) this Valentine's Day (hint: it's not necessarily chocolate).

Want to make a chocolate flower for your sweetie this V-Day? Scroll down to get step-by-step directions -- plus photos! -- for this surprisingly easy (and totally romantic) Valentine's Day project.


DIY Life: How would you define your work -- which is very visual and conceptual -- in words?

Raymond McAllister: We bring vision and concepts to life, and create something out of nothing.

DIY: What is your experience with creating works of art, and how did you transition from your former careers into your current ones?

Larry Abel: Art has always been a hobby and and I've always liked texture and using interesting mediums. When I was a kid, it was macaroni and coffee grounds. Today, it's everything from flip flops to makeup. Our former careers were something we did to make a living until we could get to this point: now, our careers have become synonymous with our art.

RM: I've always been creative. Halloween was (and still is) one of my favorite holidays. I can remember helping my mom make costumes using everything from aluminum foil and cardboard to make The Tin Man to a black-dyed mop-head to make an egyptian wig. In a way my career has been a natural progression; even though I started in a very corporate environment, I always found ways to use my creativity.

DIY: What mediums do you work in? And what draws you to work in unexpected mediums?

LA: We've made art out of toasted chips, Havianas flip-flops, candy, make-up, vegetables, tennis equipment, clothing. What really draws us to these mediums is our clients and their products, and seeing how creative we can get with them.

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowers, godiva lounge, larry abel, raymond mcallisterInStyle

DIY: What were the circumstances that led you to working with chocolate?

LA: When we started working with Godiva, we wanted to really challenge ourselves to find a creative way to engage people with the brand. It more or less grew from there. But who wouldn't love to work with chocolate? You get to eat your mistakes!

DIY: Is chocolate an easy or difficult medium to work with? How so? What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of chocolate as a building material?

RM: Chocolate is a very difficult medium to work with because it involves a precise understanding of a a number of factors. Chocolate is actually quite delicate, which is what makes it challenging - its not easy to retain the integrity and beauty of each piece. The benefit is it's breathtaking and people respond well to it - the drawback is it's short shelf-life, if you're not careful, it will (literally) melt!

DIY: What tools, materials and conditions are required for working with chocolate?

RM: You need a very cool workspace, tempering pot, brushes, knives, spatulas, chisels -- and patience.

DIY: Is chocolate a medium that an everyday DIYer could work with to some degree? Would you recommend it to people who are crafterly or DIY-minded?

RM: Well I think everyone who's creative can find interesting ways to work with new materials. It just takes patience, creativity and a willingness to work in trial and error.

LA: And a lot of counter space.

DIY: Do you think chocolate is a romantic medium? If so, why? Did you learn more about chocolate since you've been working with it? What did you learn?

LA: Chocolate is a romantic medium because it's very sensuous and indulgent. I've learned quite a few things since we've started working with chocolate. For example, working with white chocolate is actually far more difficult than working with milk or dark chocolate. I've also learned not to put chocolate next to the fireplace.

RM: Working with chocoalte has its own personality. The more you work with it, the more you learn what you can do to it. Different types of chocolate have different melting points, and can react differently as a finished product.

DIY: Are you giving each other Valentines this year?

RM: I already gave Larry his gift: an iPod Nano, in red. A portion of the proceeds benefit Project (RED).

LA: I thought of giving Raymond chocolate.

DIY: What medium would you like to work in that you haven't gotten a chance to yet?

LA and RM: Diamonds, marbles and office supplies!


HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE FLOWERS
Want to try your own hand at a chocolate flower for your valentine? Abel and McAllister were kind enough to walk us through the process, petal by petal. We think a gift like this would make anyone sweet on you!

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

SUGGESTED MATERIALS
1 cup Godiva 72% Dark Melting Chocolate (chocolate chips)
1 cup Godiva Milk Chocolate Covered Cashews (small candies of your choice)
3 Godiva 72% Dark Chocolate Bars (chocolate bars)
8 Godiva Midnight Swirl Chocolates (any similar chocolates)
1 Godiva White Praline Heart (similar chocolate w/ contrasting color)
1 electric skillet
1 ASI clear acrylic vase
1 rubber spatula
Various paint brushes

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Step 1: Pour 1 cup melting chocolates into electric skillet.

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Step 2: Melt chocolate on low heat, stirring constantly.

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Step 3: Use a paintbrush to apply melted chocolate to one end of a chocolate bar.

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymong McAllister

Step 4: Attach another chocolate bar to the painted area of the first chocolate bar to create the "stem."

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Step 5: Break the third chocolate bar into two even pieces.

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Step 6: Paint melted chocolate on the face of both pieces of the broken chocolate bar.

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Step 7: Attach the broken Chocolate Bar pieces face down to the top of the "Stem" Bars as shown in the photos

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Step 8: Paint melted chocolate on the corner of 4 Midnight Swirls

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Step 9: Attach the 4 Midnight Swirls as shown in the configuration in the photo

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymond McAllister

Step 10: Repeat the process of adding melted chocolate to the remaining 4 Midnight Swirls and attach to stem creating the "Petals" as shown in the photo

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowersLarry Abel and Raymon McAllister

Step 11: Apply melted chocolate to the White Praline Heart and attach in the center of the "Petals"

valentine s day gift ideas, valentine's day, chocolate flowerschocolate flowers

Step 12: Add the Milk Chocolate Covered Cashews to the ASI Vase. Display the flower in the vase as shown

 

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]]>ValentinesDayKristine Solomon2011-02-08T09:00:00 00:003 Easy, DIY Chairs for Your Super Bowl Partyhttp://www.diylife.com/2011/02/03/super-bowl-party-diy-chairs/http://www.diylife.com/2011/02/03/super-bowl-party-diy-chairs/http://www.diylife.com/2011/02/03/super-bowl-party-diy-chairs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Make sure to provide a football team's worth of seating with these simple yet whimsical DIY chair projects.

So you're throwing a Super Bowl party this weekend and you're afraid you won't have enough seating for everyone? Here are three of our favorite DIY chairs that you can whip up quickly and on the cheap. (Rather buy than DIY? Check out ShelterPop's roundup of chic seats, each under $50.)

PlanCanvas chair, DIY furniture plans, DIY chairsPlanCanvas






DIY Chair #1: Modern Arm Chair by PlanCanvas

Back in June, we interviewed crafter/builder Christian Schoeneman about the DIY furniture plans he creates for his company PlanCanvas.

In the process, we fell for the Modern Arm Chair he suggests building with 3/4-inch-thick plywood (one 4 x 8-foot piece is enough to build two) and standard dowels. The main tools you'll need are a jigsaw and a drill.

The 26" x 32" x 21" chair is the perfect extra seat that you'll be proud to display in your TV room.

Plans for the chair are free on the company's site.





DIY Chair #2: Two-Hour Chair from "Home from the Hardware Store"

diy chairs, home from the hardware store, superbowl partyAmazon
We recently covered the book "Home from the Hardware Store" by Kathleen Hackett and Stephen Antonson. The pair incorporated common, industrial hardware store items into some of the most ingenius and surprisingly stylish housewares we've seen in a while. One of our favorite projects was the "Two-Hour Chair," so called between you can complete it in exactly that timeframe with an armful of supplies and just two hand tools. Here's an excerpt from the book:

SHELF SUPPORTS + PLYWOOD = TWO-HOUR CHAIR

The only time-consuming step in making this chair is cutting the shelf supports. Unlike the table, which is all right angles, this chair is designed to conform to the way we sit, which is always leaning back slightly. To achieve this, the chair base is smaller than the seat. If you want to make a perfectly square chair, make the sled legs 18 inches long.

MATERIALS

2 plated steel slotted angle shelf supports, 3' x 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" each
9 plated steel slotted angle shelf supports, 18" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" each
2 plated steel slotted angle shelf supports, 15" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" each
18 zinc bolts and nuts, 1/2-20 x 1/2" each
18 flat washers, 1/2" each
18 lock washers, 1/2" each
18"-square piece of 3/4" plywood

TOOLS

Phillips-head screwdriver
7/16" wrench

DIY chairs, Home from the Hardware StoreRodale Books

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Arrange the 3' lengths on a work surface, flat edge down, so that they are parallel. Position an 18" piece on either end so that the edges are flush, and place another 18" piece 15 1/2" from one short edge. Fasten them together by sliding a flat washer onto the bolt and inserting it into a corner hole from the underside of the frame. Slide a lock washer onto the bolt, followed by the nut, and tighten with the wrench. This is the back of the chair.

2. Position an 18" shelf support on each end of the ledge of the support in the middle of the chair back. Fasten them to the frame along the inside edge and middle support, using the washers, nuts, and bolts as you did in Step 1. Fasten a third 18" shelf support across the front of the seat in the same manner.

DIY chairs, Home from the Hardware Store, Super Bowl partyRodale Books

3. Attach the 15" shelf supports to the outside of the bottom of the frame. Fasten an 18" piece across the front of the base.

4. With the chair front facing you, tilt the frame by pulling the seat toward you and pushing the chair back away from you. Attach the front legs as in step 3, mounting the remaining two 18" shelf supports to the outside of the seat and base frame. Once it's completely assembled, work around the chair to tighten each bolt.

DIY chairs, Home from the Hardware Store, Super Bowl partyRodale Books

5. Set the plywood into the seat frame so that it rests on the bolts; it will be slightly higher than the edges of the frame (see 5a), so that your legs are not touching the frame when you're seated. If the plywood resists, use a hammer to tap it into place.


DIY Chair #3: DIY Upholstered Folding Chairs by Apartment Therapy

diy chairs, super bowl partyApartment Therapy

If you have plain Jane, standard-issue folding chairs -- or plan on buying a few for your Super Bowl party -- give them a design upgrade with this simple upholstery project.

Leave it to the creative minds at Apartment Therapy to dream up and execute these excellent upholstered DIY folding chairs. All you need to bang out one of these chairs is an hour, a staple gun, a hot glue gun, your favorite fabric and some foam and dacron. Click here for full instructions.

Happy Super Bowl party!

 

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]]>diy+chairdiy+chairsdiy+easy+chairdiychairdiychairsdiyeasychaireasy+diy+chairseasydiychairssuper bowlwhat+kind+of+chairs+can+we+use+in+our+house+for+partywhatkindofchairscanweuseinourhouseforpartyKristine Solomon2011-02-03T08:30:00 00:00Inside Zsa Zsa Gabor's Home - Create the Lookhttp://www.diylife.com/2011/02/01/zsa-zsa-gabor-home-bel-air-mansion/http://www.diylife.com/2011/02/01/zsa-zsa-gabor-home-bel-air-mansion/http://www.diylife.com/2011/02/01/zsa-zsa-gabor-home-bel-air-mansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Dreaming of warm weather? We got a look inside Zsa Zsa Gabor's home and were inspired by the scene-stealing checkerboard floor in her sun-kissed Bel Air sun room. Here's how to copycat this look in your home!

zsa zsa gabor home, bel air homeZsa Zsa Gabor's home in Bel Air is on the market for $28 million. Photo: Splash News

Zsa Zsa Gabor's failing health has been landing her in the headlines as of late. Also in the news? The Hungarian actress's massive Bel Air estate, which is currently on the market for $28 million, as first reported by TMZ. More details of Zsa Zsa's mansion are available over at Curbed Los Angeles.

We got our hands of some pictures of the mansion's interior. Although some of the star's style choices seem questionable, one thing that took our breath away was the uber-inviting sun room, decked out with bright orange awnings, lacquered tables and -- our favorite -- an eye-popping, large-scale, black-and-white checkerboard floor!

So, as we wish brighter days on the ailing Zsa Zsa, let's take a closer look at her Bel Air sun room and talk about how to recreate that scene-stealing checkerboard floor in our own homes. (Don't forget to scroll down for more interior photos of Zsa Zsa's home.)

Zsa Zsa Gabor home, Bel Air HomeA checkerboard floor is easy to DIY with floor paint. Photo: Splash News

How to Paint a Checkerboard Floor
While alternating tiles are probably what Zsa Zsa used to acheive this bold, classic look, a black-and-white checkerboard floor is easy to DIY with floor paint -- and the best part is that you can use this treatment on just about any surface, from wood to concrete.

To paint a checkerboard floor, you'll need:

Painter's tape or chalk
Floor primer
Black paint and white paint suitable for floors (if you're feeling adventrous, try a blue-and-white or even a red-and-white pattern!)
Paint brushes and rollers

1. Before you start, plan out your pattern: you can stagger the squares in a straight pattern, or you can tilt them for a diamond effect.

2. Once you have your pattern picked out, wash down the floor and wait for it to dry thoroughly.

3. Next, prime the entire floor, then paint it white, using a paint roller on an extension pole.

4. When the primer is dry, tape off one-foot squares, using a tape measure to mark points along a straight line for accuracy. You can also use chalk to mark off the squares.

5. Paint inside every other square (or diamond) with black paint, using a second coat if necessary. Remove the tape while the paint is still wet, and let the pattern dry overnight.

For a more detailed tutorial on painting a checkerboard floor, head over to Benjamin Moore.

zsa zsa gabor home, photosZsa Zsa Gabor's personal photos and cards lay in a basket in her home. Here, the star poses with her ninth husband, Frederic Prinz Von Anhalt, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Photo: Splash News

The fluid lines of Zsa Zsa's orange leather-upholstered dining chairs can appeal to both modern and traditional design sensibilities. Photo: Splash News

zsa zsa gabor home, daybed, canopy bedZsa Zsa's decadent day bed features a bold canopy and abundant pillows. Photo: Splash News

Zsa Zsa's at-home bar is adorned with a candelabra and a glamour shot of the ailing star at the height of her fame. Photo: Splash News

zsa zsa gabor home, terraceThe star's sun-kissed terrace is spare and inviting. Photo: Splash News

 

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]]>createthelookzsa+zsa+gaborzsa+zsa+gabor+homezsa+zsa+gabor+housezsa+zsa+gabors+homezsa+zsa+gabors+housezsazsagaborzsazsagaborhomezsazsagaborhousezsazsagaborshomezsazsagaborshouseKristine Solomon2011-02-01T19:10:00 00:00Blizzard Safety with Mike Holmeshttp://www.diylife.com/2011/01/12/blizzard-safety-mike-holmes/http://www.diylife.com/2011/01/12/blizzard-safety-mike-holmes/http://www.diylife.com/2011/01/12/blizzard-safety-mike-holmes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Got winter blizzards on the brain? HGTV star Mike Holmes gives us the cold, hard facts on protecting your home from snow storms.

mike holmes, hgtv, blizzard 2011Mike Holmes has important advice for you about handling blizzards! Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.com

As I write this, I'm bracing myself for the east coast's second brutal blizzard in two weeks. The last time snow and winds struck our area, we talked about what to do right after a blizzard. This time around, though, we want to offer the best possible advice on what to do before, during and after a big storm.

So I turned to home improvement pro Mike Holmes -- star of HGTV's "Holmes on Homes" and "Holmes Inspection" and the brand new publication Holmes: The Magazine to Make It Right -- for tips on protecting our houses from winter's wrath. Because this may be the first snow storm of 2011, but you know it won't be the last!

Here's what Holmes advises:

1. Make Sure Your Home's Envelope Is Impenetrable
The most important thing to remember when prepping your home for bad weather is that you don't want water that comes from melting snow to get behind any exterior sheathing -- the stucco, siding or bricks. If it does, the wood framing and structure will get wet. You want your exterior structure to be able to repel water -- but if any water does get in, you want the water vapor to be able to escape. It'll dry out eventually, but repeated wetting and drying will lead to rot. You also don't want the water to get further inside and soak the insulation. It's very difficult for moisture to escape once it's trapped within the building's envelope.

2. Remove Snow Immediately
Start by clearing snow away from doors and windows. Snow melting could come in windows, doors and other openings in the house, leading to mold issues. Should your area receive a large amount of snow, make every effort to remove large snow deposits from roofs and away from intakes, doors and windows, as large quantities of melting snow -- especially on roofs -- can cause a great deal of damage to not just siding and insulation, but to gutters as well.

3. Protect Your Home's Walkways without Chemicals
Keep the walkways and steps clear. However, when clearing walkways and driveways made of concrete, do not use salt. Salt eats through concrete and causes it to crack. Use eco-friendly products that don't contain harmful chemicals.

4. Prevent and Remove Ice Dams
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home, causing damage to walls, ceilings, and insulation. To prevent the formation of the dam, be diligent about removing snow from the roof before it freezes; use a roof rake or push broom.


Psst...Our sister site ShelterPop is hosting a design challenge -- go vote for your favorite student-designed product!


Take a look at this video for shoveling safety tips!

 

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]]>Snow ReportwintermaintenanceKristine Solomon2011-01-12T08:00:00 00:00Welcome, 2011! We're Ready to Take You Onhttp://www.diylife.com/2011/01/01/year-2011-agenda/http://www.diylife.com/2011/01/01/year-2011-agenda/http://www.diylife.com/2011/01/01/year-2011-agenda/#commentsFiled under: ,

As we look to the year ahead, we ask ourselves: What did we accomplish in 2010? And what will we pull off in 2011? (The short answer: Anything we put our minds to.)

New Year's Day, New Year's EveWhat lies ahead in 2011? Photo: Getty Images

On the first day of the new year, I can't help but relect on the past year and ask myself: What did I accomplish in the last 12 months?

Personally, I moved to a new apartment in New York City, which -- luckily for me -- has not required as many DIY upgrades as my last abode. In the old place, I did manage to spackle an entire bathroom, paint all of my kitchen cabinets, replace my showerhead with a water-efficient low-flow version, install a new bathroom sink faucet, and replace my old sliding closet doors (which were coming off of their hinges) with louvre models (okay, someone else did that last one for me).

And in the new place, I tirelessly sealed off my windows and air conditioner from energy-zapping drafts -- so I can finally sit comfortably in my living room without a down comforter wrapped around me! On the agenda for 2011: Painting the entire living room, which I plan to pull off single-handedly before January is over (I sometimes stubbornly take the term "do it yourself" very literally). I promise to chronicle my home improvement adventures for your reading pleasure. (There, I just made my New Year's resolution publicly! Now I have no excuses to slack off.)

But what I really want to know is: What upgrades and projects are you planning for your home in 2011? In case you need a little help deciding, we took the liberty of mapping out an entire year's worth of small home improvements. Take from it what you will!

But only you are privy to the nuances of your own home -- the leaky roof, that door that won't quite close all the way, the fifth stair in the foyer that keeps squeaking. You know, those annoyances that you just never get around to fixing. This is the year you're going to do them -- and feel really good about yourself afterward.

So let us help you in 2011: Tell us what home improvements you want to scratch off your to-do list this year!

 

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]]>New YearKristine Solomon2011-01-01T09:00:00 00:00Best iPhone Apps of 2010 - Our Contributors' Pickshttp://www.diylife.com/2010/12/25/best-iphone-apps-of-2010/http://www.diylife.com/2010/12/25/best-iphone-apps-of-2010/http://www.diylife.com/2010/12/25/best-iphone-apps-of-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,

With more than 134,000 iPhone apps in existence, would you able to pick just one favorite? We asked our most well-connected friends and contributors to do just that. There is indeed an app for everything, it seems.

By now, the catchphrase is everywhere: "Yeah, there's an app for that." In fact, the current number of iPhone applications (last we checked) is about 134,000 and counting! There are apps for choosing paint colors, measuring building materials, achieving a perfectly straight line -- anything a homeowner could possibly need (or want). But home-based apps are just the tip of the iceberg. You can make restaurant reservations, find out the name of the song you're listening to, buy a new house -- in fact, we're not sure what you can't do on your iPhone, iPad or laptop these days.

iHandy level, free iPhone appiHandy Level app. Photo: iTunes App Store

We asked some of DIY Life's most well-connected friends and contributors -- and those of our sister site, ShelterPop -- to name their absolute favorite apps of 2010, DIY-related, design-related or otherwise. Some couldn't pick just one -- in fact, one of our friends picked three! You may want to check out these apps, if you haven't already.

MATT KNOX, CEO of DiggersList.com
My favorite DIY iPhone app is: iHandy Level for a couple or reasons. Number one, it's free! And number two, I am such an "eyeballer"when it comes to hanging anything up: pictures, whiteboards, wall hangings, et al! I rarely feel like going back to the garage and finding my level, BUT, I pretty much always have my iphone on me. Boom, level problem resolved!


Ben Color Capture, iPhone AppBen Color Capture app. Photo: iTunes App Store

THERESA CLEMENT of MyFixItUpLife
Ben Color Capture, which lets you color match objects and view Benjamin Moore's entire color card series. Inspiration always comes when we least expect it, and it's so handy to be able to capture a color quickly wherever a hue catches your eye. As a busy mom, and a designer, I need all the help I can get to make our DIY projects a little easier.


BRIAN KELSEY of Kelsey On the House
My absolute favorite app is Time Lapse. It takes a picture of your DIY project every second, every two seconds -- whatever interval of time you need. When you're done it plays back the entire sequence as a movie. I use it all the time to film my own projects; it's great for when I want to demonstrate an hour's worth of ripping up a floor, for example, squashed down to 15 seconds.


GRACE BONNEY of Design*Sponge
As for design-related apps, I love Ben Color Capture; anything you see can be scanned and instantly matched with a paint color -- perfect! But if I'm going to keep it real, my favorite would be Angry Birds, the game. Sometimes my brain requires a little mindless entertainment.


Clock Pro HD, iTunes App storeClock Pro HD app. Photo: iTunes App Store

BOB WILLIAMS, designer and cofounder of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
I love Clock Pro HD for traveling. It has an alarm, so I don't have to trust the hotels for a wakeup call. Plus, it has a world clock, so if I'm overseas, I know what time it is there and at home. It also has a stopwatch, so I can time the distance from my home to my final destination: 40 hours and 36 minutes is the record to date.


Craig's List appCraig's List app. Photo: iTunes App Store

KRISTAN CUNNINGHAM, host and designer on HGTV's Design on a Dime
Being a connoisseur of all things old, decorative and one of a kind, I am, of course, a Craigslist junkie. By now I think most everyone in the U.S. is familiar with this great online classifieds community (and now it's even gone international). So how unbelievably stoked was I when I found the Craigslist Pro app?! I mean, it displays the pics right with the search results, so you don't have to click on every coffee table -- just the ones that you might actually be interested in. Now the only danger is... I CAN'T STOP!


MITCHELL GOLD, designer and cofounder of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Open Table: My mother's idea of a cookbook. (Joke spoiler: it's an online restaurant reservation app!)


JEFF LEWIS of Jeff Lewis Design, house flipper and star of Bravo's Flipping Out
My favorite app is Shazam, because I never know who sings the songs I hear at El Pollo Loco. (Jeff is referring to this music app's most unique feature: It can identify a song playing in the background. Pretty cool, right?)


iTunes app storeInstapaper app. Photo: iTunes App Store

NEWELL TURNER, Editor-in-Chief, House Beautiful

Instapaper: My latest app addiction is Instapaper: it puts all those articles you find on the internet into an easy-to-read format.

Evernote: I take notes about everything I like. Before apps, I wrote everything on paper or in notebooks. The problem then was that I never had them with me when I needed them. Evernote is a fantastic app for taking all sorts of notes (and photo references!). They're stored conveniently in your iPhone or iPad, or laptop, so they're always on hand when you need them.

LastPass: Who can remember all their passwords these days? This app is brilliant.

 

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]]>Kristine Solomon2010-12-25T09:00:00 00:00Quiz: What's Your Christmas Celebrating Style?http://www.diylife.com/2010/12/23/quiz-whats-your-christmas-celebrating-style/http://www.diylife.com/2010/12/23/quiz-whats-your-christmas-celebrating-style/http://www.diylife.com/2010/12/23/quiz-whats-your-christmas-celebrating-style/#commentsFiled under: ,

Are you a creature of habit when it comes to Christmas, or do you defy tradition and just do whatever merry means to you? Take our quiz to find out your Christmas celebrating style!

celebrating ChristmasGetty Images


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. But what does that mean to you? For some of us, Christmas means hot cocoa by the fire, It's a Wonderful Life on the TV, and a home-cooked turkey on the table. For others, it's reservations at your favorite restaurant, crafts in the kitchen, a walk in the snow (or the sand!) and, well, whatever comes up. Take our quiz and find out what kind of reveler you are!
http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=moreQuizzes&id=967282&pid=967281&uts=1292973311
http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/personality_quiz/personalityquiz.swf

 

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]]>ChristmasKristine Solomon2010-12-23T09:00:00 00:00Fixing My Grandmother's Hand Mixer - A Thanksgiving DIY Talehttp://www.diylife.com/2010/11/22/hand-mixer-thanksgiving-diy-tale/http://www.diylife.com/2010/11/22/hand-mixer-thanksgiving-diy-tale/http://www.diylife.com/2010/11/22/hand-mixer-thanksgiving-diy-tale/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Some outdated household tools are priceless when it comes to sentimental value. Here's a true tale of one DIYer's quest to preserve her grandmother's old-fashioned hand mixer -- and her memory.

Thanksgiving, Kristine SolomonMy grandmother, Theresa, and I on Thanksgiving 1984. Photo: Kristine Solomon

I grew up with a passion for baking thanks to my grandmother, a woman who made domesticity look glamorous long before Martha Stewart became famous for it. We made cakes, loaves, muffins and of course, Thanksgiving pies -- all with an old-fashioned hand mixer. Not a battery-operated KitchenAid mixer. I'm talking about the type that operates on elbow grease and a handheld crank (in a lovely, retro shade of robin's egg blue, no less. Even her kitchen appliances were stylish).

My grandmother passed away three months before Thanksgiving 2007, rather suddenly, at the age of 81. The task of sorting through her stuff a few weeks later was a bittersweet experience: Part of me felt I was invading her privacy, and the other part indulged in the nostalgia these items stirred up inside me. Her collection of scarves -- Pucci, Yves St. Laurent, Chanel -- all smelled like her perfume (they still do). Her mid-century modern, periwinkle blue espresso cups were still in (almost) pristine condition. They're displayed on my kitchen shelf now.


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And, of course, there was the hand mixer I remembered so fondly. The one we used so many times to make so many desserts, all of which were delicious and made from scratch (Italian grandmas are the best cooks, I tell you). The mixer was tattered but proud; operating smoothly, despite its chipped hand crank and its missing plastic handle. I took the relic and stored it in my utensil drawer, making a mental note to repair it when I got a chance.

Fast forward three years. With Thanksgiving 2010 approaching, I came across the old mixer again, with its telltale signs of having beat a few too many batters. Could I really fix this outdated hunk of metal? I don't even know the manufacturer. And even if I did, I highly doubt they sell replacement handles at this point. When I tried to use it, I'd just grab onto the metal bar, where that robin's egg blue plastic handle once was. The sharp, bare metal bar. "No, that won't hurt my hand. Not a bit. I'm tough." Famous last words, as my grandmother would say. After just three cranks, the metal handle dug into my hand and I knew I'd never be able to use this mixer again. Not in its current state anyway.

So I had this crazy idea: I'd make a handle for it. Out of what, though? I wasn't sure. I'd have to MacGyver it. I'd need materials that were waterproof and had a comfortable hand feel. Piece of cake.

My first idea was to use modeling clay, then paint it once it hardened. But I'd have to bake the clay, and I certainly didn't want to risk putting the entire hand mixer in the oven. Nothing good could come out of that. Then I thought silicone might work. Plenty of kitchen utensils are made of this waterproof, heat-resistant material. Problem was, I didn't really know where to get silicone. Then it hit me: foam rubber! Covered in...something waterproof.

My first stop was Canal Rubber in NYC, a garage-like shop filled with every type of rubber you could imagine. I knew they'd have something that could serve as a cushion for my new handle. I explained my odd project to the store employee: "I have this old hand mixer. It was my grandmother's. We used to bake with it together. I want to fix the handle so I can use it again . Do you recommend any specific type of foam rubber?" He met my request with a blank stare, then ambled over to pile of neoprene sponge rubber mats and handed me one.

"Do you suggest I wrap this around the metal handle?" I asked. He replied, "I suggest you go out and buy a food processor."

That's when I realized it must seem slightly crazy to other people that I was, essentially, trying to make the Frankenstein monster of kitchen tools, when there was a home improvement center just down the block. One that sold many types of inexpensive, 21st century power mixers. I couldn't expect the rubber store employee to understand that a dilapidated, manually operated hand mixer circa 1970 was one of my most prized family heirlooms, could I? Of course not. But also, I didn't care. I'm a DIYer, meaning I have the creativity and talent to give a sentimental object new life. That's the beauty of DIYing, isn't it? Repair, reuse, reinvent. I pressed on.

Next was Canal Plastics, a store that, as advertised, had products for all of my plastic needs. I finally decided on a thin sheet of plastic that was glossy white on one side and shiny silver on the other. Armed with Gorilla Glue and my imagination, I got to work.

First I tried wrapping the foam rubber around the handles, but the handle became too bulky to hold comfortably. Next idea: I wrapped two pieces of foam individually with plastic to create two separate cushions, then glued one cushion to either side of the metal handle. A few attempts and several stuck fingers later (Gorilla Glue is really sticky), I had a fully functioning hand mixer with a comfy cushioned handle, all shiny silver to match the stainless steel body.

Now, after all these years, I can start baking again with the hand mixer my grandmother used all those years ago when she was teaching me to bake. And I'm thankful indeed! Will I still use an electric mixer? Probably sometimes. Not always, though. My grandmother never had one, and I guess she never knew what she was missing. Come to think of it, she also had nice arms.

So this Thanksgiving, I know for sure I'll be making a pumpkin pie, and I know what I'll be using to make it. Of course, I don't expect my pumpkin pie to be as good as my grandma's. Maybe one day I'll figure that part out.

 

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]]>thanksgivingKristine Solomon2010-11-22T10:25:00 00:00DIY Centerpieces for Thanksgivinghttp://www.diylife.com/2010/11/22/diy-centerpieces-for-thanksgiving/http://www.diylife.com/2010/11/22/diy-centerpieces-for-thanksgiving/http://www.diylife.com/2010/11/22/diy-centerpieces-for-thanksgiving/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Craft a festive Thanksgiving centerpiece in no time with these stress-free projects.

centerpiece, Thanksgiving, ShelterpopA maize-and-candle Thanksgiving centerpiece. Photo: ShelterPop

Let's face it: The turkey -- however scrumptious it looks -- does not qualify as a Thanksgiving centerpiece. If you're hosting this year, wow your guests by creating an expected focal point for the table. Our pals over at ShelterPop and Holidash have some festive table-toppers that will set just the right tone for your Thanksgiving feast.

Photo: ShelterPop


A maize-and-candle Thanksgiving centerpiece. ShelterPop provides instructions for five centerpieces that revolve around that ubiquitous first-Thanksgiving symbol: Indian corn. Our favorite is this vertical arrangement of about a dozen ears surrounding a simple hurricane candle (pictured above), but other projects include a vintage-looking vignette and a collection of corn nestled on a bed of wheat.


Holidash -- AOL's go-to holiday site -- has assembled some of Martha Stewart's greatest hits, with centerpieces that include this very modern arrangement of patterned ceramics and citrus fruits, tableaus of realistic-looking pumpkin and gourd candles, and cascading clusters of grapes.


Have any original ideas for Thanksgiving centerpieces? Share your projects in the comments below!

 

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]]>thanksgivingKristine Solomon2010-11-22T08:30:00 00:00The Rent is Too Damn High - So Save Money by DIYing!http://www.diylife.com/2010/10/19/the-rent-is-too-damn-high/http://www.diylife.com/2010/10/19/the-rent-is-too-damn-high/http://www.diylife.com/2010/10/19/the-rent-is-too-damn-high/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jimmy McMillan, who's for running for governor of NYC under the brilliantly named The Rent Is Too Damn High party, makes a good point, quite frankly. How are New Yorkers (and everyone else, for that matter) supposed to keep the cost of living low in this financial climate?

The answer: by DIYing, of course. We rounded up the top 5 ways to save money by taking on inexpensive DIY fixes around the house.

(For some cheap-chic DIY decorating tricks, check out this roundup by our buddies over at ShelterPop).

the rent is too damn high, jimmy mcmillanThe rent is too damn high? Try these money-saving DIY tricks. Photo: Getty Images

If the rent is too damn high in your humble apartment, give these cost-cutting DIY solutions a shot:

1. Seal Up Drafts
Weatherstripping your doors and windows can save up to 20% on your home's energy bills -- but only if you do it the right way. That means using the right kind of weatherstripping for the right application. Not all weatherstripping is created equal. For instance, adhesive-backed foam -- only a few bucks a roll -- is best for the bottoms and tops of window sashes, but not for the vertical rails or tracks; the foam will separate due to the back-and-forth sliding motion, and will lose its effectiveness pretty quickly. Might as well throw all that damn rent money right out the window at that point.

2. Fix a Leaky Refrigerator
Considering that your fridge accounts for 15% of your energy bill, the money lost through a loose refrigerator door seal can really add up. Here's how to test your refrigerator door's seal: Grab a dollar bill (from your rent money, of course), close the refrigerator door on it, and try to pull it out. If it comes out easily, your seal isn't tight enough. The fix involves purchasing a replacement seal (they cost about $60 brand new, but check eBay for new seals at slashed prices), removing the existing one, and pressing the new one into place. It's a quick, painless process that can save you a ton in the long run.

3. Clean Up a Keyboard Spill
Picture this: you're up late at night, dozing off at your computer (while searching for cheaper apartments, of course), when -- gasp! -- your bottle of Diet Coke spills all over the keyboard. What now? Well, your primary goal is to prevent the sugary drink from making a sticky, dried-up mess that renders the keyboard (or the entire laptop) useless. A new computer is a major expense, and not one you can reasonably afford since your rent is too damn high. Lucky for you and your bank account, we've got step-by-step solutions for cleaning up both desktop and laptop computer spills. Read the steps now, commit it all to memory, and retrieve it when you need it (because you know you will).

4. Use Your Dishwasher Judiciously
We get it: you scored an apartment with a dishwasher and now you're going to take full advantage of that luxury after each and every meal. If this is your approach, you're actually increasing your energy bill by up 50%. Instead, wait for your dishwasher to be completely full before running it. Scrape and rinse all your dishes first so you can set your dishwasher to a cooler temperature, and avoid using all that money-sucking hot water. Can't fill the dishwasher up quickly enough? Consider loading it with unlikely (yet dishwasher-safe) items like glass vases, sponges, lunchboxes, hair brushes, garbage can lids, rain boots, tools with metal or plastic handles.

5. Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
Okay, your rent is too damn high to afford a washing machine -- or your rental doesn't allow one -- so you're stuck feeding quarters or paying by the pound at your local Laundromat for the time being. The good news is you don't have to waste so much of your hard-earned scratch on bottles of laundry detergent. For a fraction of the price, you can simply make your own eco-friendly laundry detergent at home.

Is your rent "too damn high"? Tell us how you are saving money on your household costs!

 

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]]>Kristine Solomon2010-10-19T14:35:00 00:00Pumpkin Carving: America's Best Jack O Lanternshttp://www.diylife.com/2010/10/18/pumpkin-carving-best-jack-o-lanterns/http://www.diylife.com/2010/10/18/pumpkin-carving-best-jack-o-lanterns/http://www.diylife.com/2010/10/18/pumpkin-carving-best-jack-o-lanterns/#commentsFiled under: , ,

From costumes to decorations, Halloween inspires some of the most thrilling displays of creativity you'll see all year. Here at DIY Life, we're suckers for pumpkin carving -- especially when power tools are involved. We scoured the web for some of the most cleverly carved Halloween gourds out there. Here are our top 10 picks for America's Best Jack O Lanterns. These pumpkins are so impressive, it's scary!

 

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]]>HalloweenKristine Solomon2010-10-18T11:00:00 00:00Making News: Are Mushrooms the Hot New Building Product?http://www.diylife.com/2010/09/09/mushrooms-building-product/http://www.diylife.com/2010/09/09/mushrooms-building-product/http://www.diylife.com/2010/09/09/mushrooms-building-product/#commentsFiled under: ,

There's a fungus among us -- and it may revolutionize green building! Mushrooms (similar to the kind we eat) are emerging as a groundbreaking alternative to manufactured building products.

mushrooms, building productsGetty Images

An artist and inventor in California recently made headlines when he unveiled a structure built entirely from mycelia, a mushroom-like organism that grows underground and can live for thousands of years. And while the structure is really nothing more than an impressive curiosity, it hints at what could be one of the most innovative building products we've seen in a while.

Scientists have been investigating mycelia and its potential to change green building as we know it. Why? Apparently, it's one of the most durable and sustainable materials there is. This ubiquitous fungus is coveted for being incredibly strong, water-resistant, non-toxic, hypoallergenic and 100% biodegradable. It also insulates better than most manufactured materials.

So far, commercial products made of mycelia include a packaging material, already on the market, and a Styrofoam substitute, due in 2011.

As fans of mushrooms (the edible kind) and green building, we can't wait to see this innovation grow!

To read the entire story, head over to Networx.

 

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]]>MakingNewsKristine Solomon2010-09-09T11:00:00 00:00The History of Labor Dayhttp://www.diylife.com/2010/09/03/history-of-labor-day/http://www.diylife.com/2010/09/03/history-of-labor-day/http://www.diylife.com/2010/09/03/history-of-labor-day/#commentsFiled under: ,

Curious about the history of Labor Day? We dug up some back story on one of America's most anticipated three-day weekends.

Labor Day, home improvementsCorbis

Labor Day weekend is one of those few times when, for three days, it's downright unpatriotic to lift a finger around the house. DIYers across the country get a reprieve from their work, opting instead to spend play -- spending time with friends and family, relaxing on the beach, near a barbecue, at a picnic, or anyplace where sawdust, extension ladders, and power tools play no part.

But have you ever wondered why we celebrate Labor Day, and what sympathetic soul granted laborers their own holiday on the first Monday of each September? We did.

Labor Day was celebrated for the first time on September 5, 1882 (and 128 years later, the holiday lands on the 5th of the month again). It's unclear whose idea it was to dedicate a day to America's working class -- some believe it as Peter J. McGuire, secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, who dropped out of school at age 11 to help earn money for the family. Others believe it was Matthew Maguire of the International Association of Machinists.

What we do know is that the Central Labor Union led the event, and it was declared a national holiday two years later in 1884. It was the height of the Industrial Revolution, and millions of Americans (children included) were forced to work long hours in poor conditions, just to make enough money to get by. Trade unions were formed to help fight for the rights of workers. On that first Labor Day in 1882, a group of 100,000 laborers marched through the streets of New York, demanding better working conditions and fair treatment. The workers were speaking -- and two years later The New York Central Labor Union decided to listen, allowing them a three-day weekend to rest at the end of a long, laborious summer.

Over 100 years later, our lives are a lot more comfortable thanks to the rise of technology.. We may be more privileged than our ancestors, but we still love to (and in some cases, need to) work with our hands. DIYing is more popular now than ever before -- and we have the good fortune to enjoy the work we do, and to do it on our own terms.

So give yourself a break this weekend: fire up the grill, head to the ocean, or just curl up with your remote and your favorite home improvement shows. You earned it!

How are you spending your Labor Day weekend? Let us know in the comments below!

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]]>Kristine Solomon2010-09-03T12:30:00 00:00Hurricane-Proof Your Homehttp://www.diylife.com/2010/09/02/hurricane-protection/http://www.diylife.com/2010/09/02/hurricane-protection/http://www.diylife.com/2010/09/02/hurricane-protection/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As Hurricane Earl bears down on the east coast, we're all doing what we can to brace ourselves. But what can we do to protect our houses from hurricane damage? Here are a few short- and long-term precautions.

storm shutters, hurricaneInstalling storm shutters. Photo: Getty Images

Hurricanes can produce winds of over 100 miles per hour -- enough to devastate even the sturdiest of homes. These intense tropical storms are categorized according to their severity, with Category 1 being the mildest, and Category 5, the harshest.

Of course, not all hurricanes are responsible for the level of destruction caused by New Orleans' notorious Hurricane Katrina. But a stage 3 hurricane, which seems to describe the country's latest storm, Hurricane Earl, can still do a lot of damage to a house -- particularly its roof, windows, doors, and garage.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do right away to prepare for an impending hurricane.

1. Reinforce the Garage
According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, the garage door -- with its wide expanse and lightweight construction -- is one of the most vulnerable openings in a home during a storm. Often, the pins that secure a garage door in place at the top and bottom simply can't withstand hurricane-force winds.

-- Short-term solution: If you only have a few days to prepare, secure your garage door with a vertical brace like Secure Door.
-- Long-term solution: It's best to replace your existing door with a storm-ready garage door.

2. Protect Windows and Doors
Any opening in the home is vulnerable to hurricane damage, particularly windows and doors -- including French doors and patio doors.

-- Short-term solution: In a pinch, you can use plywood that's at least 5/8" thick to secure your windows.
-- Long-term solution: According to FEMA, storm shutters provide the best protection for windows. But you may not be able to install them on short notice. The National Hurricane Center suggests finding out whether a building permit is required in your area before installing storm shutters. Don't rely on duct tape to keep your windows secure; this is a common misconception that offers no protection against hurricane winds.

3. Secure the Roof
If a hurricane is due to hit, first determine what kind of roof you have. A gabled roof -- the classic, triangular-shaped roof -- is the most susceptible to hurricane damage, according to The National Hurricane Center.

--Short-term solution: For now, you can temporarily glue down the roof shingles by applying asphalt cement (for asphalt shingles) or flooring adhesive. Use a caulk gun to apply beads of adhesive along the underside of the shingles' edges.
-- Long-term solution: Either reinforce your roof's truss bracing, or install hurricane-resistant roof tiles.

In addition, clean out gutters and downspouts, make sure trees and shrubs around the home are well-trimmed, and bring indoors any furniture, playground equipment, and other potential flying objects.

For more information on hurricane preparedness, check out the websites of The National Hurricane Center and FEMA.

 

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]]>Kristine Solomon2010-09-02T08:30:00 00:00Readers' Wise Tips for Using Boraxhttp://www.diylife.com/2010/08/25/borax/http://www.diylife.com/2010/08/25/borax/http://www.diylife.com/2010/08/25/borax/#commentsFiled under: ,

Borax, boric acid, 20 mule team20 Mule Team Borax on Facebook

Last week, we published a story on 25 Household Uses for Borax, and the response was overwhelming! So this week, we decided to follow up with new tips -- your tips -- for getting the most out of this "miracle mineral."

So, there's this stuff called Borax. You may be familiar with its full product name: 20 Mule Team Borax. Essentially, Borax is a cleaning agent derived from naturally occurring minerals -- meaning it's nontoxic and eco-friendly. Though it's known primarily as a laundry booster, its uses extend far beyond that -- from pest control and weed control to odor elimination.

We thought we knew everything about Borax...that is until you, our readers, stepped up and offered even more uses for this powdery wonder. We really had no choice but to publish 10 of your best pearls of household wisdom. Enjoy!

apple tree, BoraxNourish fruit trees with Borax. AFP/Getty Images

"If you have fruit trees, {Borax} should be added to the soil around the base of the tree every three years. Contact your arborist for amount to be used." -- John Cressy

Oriental rugOriental rug stains are history. Photo: psyberartist, Flickr

"I have a hand-carved wool oriental rug in light colors. I have spilled gravy, tea and coffee on the darned thing, but always easily removed every stain using a spray solution of borax and water, then wicking the stain up with a clean towel...just like magic! " -- Bo

shampoo, hair, BoraxBorax for personal cleaning? Our readers say, all the way! Getty Images

"I have one friend who swears that Borax is the best shampoo ever; says her shines and is very soft and silky. It is, but I'm afraid to try it on my own hair!" -- Ann

"My husband has been using Borax for over 50 years as a body and face cleanser. Borax gets rid of liver spots, It clears your skin of acne and pock marks and makes your skin soft and smooth. He just started using it for washing his hair, and needless to say it makes his hair soft and manageable. He has said he wishes people would know what a great product Borax is." -- J. Sabala

Gak, BoraxOoey, gooey Gak is delightful (and safe) for kids. Photo: Easternblot, Flickr

"I having been an elementary school teacher for 16 years. I always wow the kids by making Gak. {Editor's note: Gak is a gooey craft and science project material, along the lines of PLAY-DOH and Silly Putty, which can also be made with Borax.} When presenting the ingredients necessary for the experiment I make a big deal about the "magic matter" {that I'm making}. Kids always ask what the magic matter is. It's a wonderful way to stimulate the young mind. The magic matter? Why it's Borax." -- Dana McGrath

crayons, BoraxCrayons are no match for Borax. Photo: Getty Images

"Recipe for Getting Melted Crayon Out of Clothes:
-- 1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
-- 1 cup white viniger
-- 2 capfuls of All Liquid 3X Ultra
-- 1 cup of Shout
-- 3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
Fill washing machine with hot water. Add all ingredients and agitate by hand to mix. Add crayon covered clothes, agitate 5 minutes. (Soak overnight, optional). Wash clothes regularly. This saved us at least $150 to replace crayoned clothes because my 4-year-old left a purple crayon in his pocket and it went through the washer & dryer. I now check all pockets {before washing}." -- Momzilla

swimming poolBorax keeps swimming pool levels in check. Photo: Getty Images

"I use Borax in my pool to raise the pH instead of paying for expensive {chemicals}! Also use regular baking soda for raising alkalinity in swimming pools instead of expensive pool store chemicals. " -- Marcia

poison ivySteer clear of plants that look like this; but if you do come in contact with poison ivy, use Borax to soothe itch. Photo: Getty Images

"Use borax to wash with if you get poison ivy oil on you! You'll never get itchy!" -- J. Perrault -Minshall

bottle capsReuse plastic bottle caps as Borax-laden bug traps. It's the eco way to go! Photo: amoose136, Flickr

"Being from the south we have Palmetto bugs. If you do a mixture of borax acid and put in water bottle caps they will all disappear. My mama LOVED her Borax!!!" -- Peggy Renee' Savant

Borax is kid-friendly. Photo: Corbis

"Love going green with borax! We made laundry detergent with 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda (not baking soda) , and 1 cup grated ivory soap. {Melt the soap} on {the} stove in about 3 cups of water till dissolved, then add the borax and washing soda and mix well. Add a gallon of hot water, a few drops of scented oil, {and} mix well. I store in plastic lidded 32 oz. coffee containers. It will [become] gelled. Use about 1/3 cup per load. No additives, chemicals, pollutants etc. -- and best of all, about 1 or 2 cents a load. We haven't bought detergent in 4 months." -- Fern

 

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]]>Kristine Solomon2010-08-25T12:30:00 00:00