Archive for August, 2007

August 30th, 2007

Skip the fights at white sales

There are usually some pretty good sales on Labor Day weekend. I usually don’t venture out. For some reason really huge sales remind me of the fights that supposedly break out at certain department stores in NYC. It seems like whenever I see a sitcom based in NYC the characters seem to reminisce about their fights at white sales trying to get the best deals.

Of course, I don’t want to fight, but at the same time, I want a good deal. There are several things that I need around the house, such as a smoothie maker, an area rug, & a duvet cover. I also want all of these things on sale, is that really asking so much? I guess as long as I’m asking for things, I also need living room furniture. Anyways, I was at the Smart Bargains site & noticed a banner that said PayPal Back to School Promotion – Save $25 on orders of $50 or more when you checkout with PayPal! – Ends 9-5. All you have to do is click through the banner on their site & checkout using Paypal, & you get that great deal. It should come in handy for back to school shopping, or if you are trying to furnish a dorm room. You don’t even have to risk getting in a fight.


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August 30th, 2007

DIY hardwood floors

I have seen a lot of TV decorating shows that inspire questions like, “Can I paint tile?” or “Can I paint carpet?” Yes, you probably can. Should you? Absolutely not. It’s just that in the DIY world, flooring can seem like one of the most intimidating changes. However, it’s usually the change that can make the biggest impact on a room. Instead of trying to work around something you hate, it often saves time & money to just do things right & go with your first choice in materials but save money on labor.

Hardwood floors have made quite a comeback in popularity, & quite frankly, I want them in my house. There are types of flooring out there such as parquet that can be installed in a weekend. There are actually a lot of places that sell hardwood flooring at prices you can’t believe. The trick is actually learning how to install them yourself.

Such a project can seem overwhelming if you don’t know what you are doing. I watch the commercials of people installing hardwood floors & I know that it’s not that easy. I was looking at Doityourself.com today & was very happy to see all of their instructional DIY DVDs. The clips I watched covered problems that might arise in DIY projects such as, what if your floors aren’t level? I love how comprehensive these DVDs are, & the price is really reasonable. Plus, you can choose from several DIY projects such as installing hardwood floors or even building a garage. The DVDs seem to be really straightforward & are filled with problems that might occur & solutions to them so there aren’t any nasty DIY surprises in your projects.

I’ve tried all the shortcuts to get out of replacing flooring. This was because I was scared to tackle such a big project & I thought it would be too expensive. Instead, I tried cheap fixes that took up a lot of time & didn’t look very good. Like they say, knowledge is power. DIY projects don’t have to be intimidating if you have the right information & tools. They can even be fun. Be sure & Visit DoItYourself.com for more and buy the DVD.


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August 29th, 2007

The White Room

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One of the most controversial episodes of “Trading Spaces” was when Hildi did an all black room & Doug did an all white room. It seemed like the show was more concerned with a gimmick than it was with the homeowners. The homeowners of the white room were absolutely crestfallen at their sterile looking room, especially since it had been so warm & colorful before.

A white room can be very chic, if done correctly. If not, it just looks like you forgot to decorate. This is a great option for a lot of people my age because they usually rent. Plus, when they make an investment in furniture, they need it to last for a long time so they choose a neutral yet again. They are almost forced into the look.

I like the above picture because it’s a white room that is cozy. The key to this is to bring in different textures of white. Another vital thing to remember is to bring in an accent color that will really pop, such as red. The white room doesn’t have to be a bad thing if done correctly.


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August 29th, 2007

Someday has arrived

t seems like whenever I think of my dream house, I start to think that it will never happen. It’s just human nature. Yes, having a library in my house should be obtainable, but for some reason it just seems so mystical & out of reach. I think that a lot of us feel that way. We tend to put off the things that we really want for “someday”.

Part of being involved in DIY projects is the idea that I can make things happen. I can get the things I want while staying in a budget. For instance, several of my family members have been wanting a spa. In fact, several of us have chronic illnesses & a hot tub would really help our pain levels. We just never thought that we could afford one. However, it’s just a matter of knowing where to shop.

I was looking Best Spa Covers from HotTubWorks & was amazed at how low their prices are. Especially since they have such extensive customer service on their site. I can’t remember the last time that I saw a website that had this level of phone & email support. There are videos, instructions on how to measure for a spa cover, & very detailed Frequently Asked Questions to help you make the right choice. I also like that these hot tub covers have absolutely free shipping in the lower 48 states. I hate it when companies offer a good deal & then gouge on the shipping to make up for it. That won’t happen with these hot tub or replacement spa covers.

We used to have a hot tub years ago & the cover was always so heavy & full of water that it took two people to lift it. However, Hot Tub Woks has an exclusive heat seal to keep this from happening. The cover is also reinforced so it won’t collapse. These spa covers will really help keep your investment in a hot tub safe. My point is there is always a way to build your dream house. The first step is to stop waiting for “someday”. I’ve looked on the calendar, & “someday” isn’t listed.

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August 27th, 2007

Bye Bye Rob, Bye Bye Fighting

I’ve been waiting to type that title ever since this season of “Design Star” started. The good news first, Rob got eliminated. The challenge was to redecorate Wayne Newton’s house, well his guest house. I had just seen Wayne Newton’s house on MTV cribs. Lots of gold, lots & lots & lots of gold. It wasn’t my taste, so I thought that it was smart that the designers were put in the guest house where they couldn’t hurt anything.

The designers also had to present their rooms on camera. Rob actually did a very good job. However, knowing what I know about him, I could never watch a show that he hosted. He just seemed so fake. Kim also did an excellent hosting job. I still want Todd to win. However, I don’t know how anything that he does will be applicable to the home audience. His ideas are just so out there. They work because he has tons of skills in every area. However, the average homeowner doesn’t have all of those skills. I could see him hosting a show kind of like “Monster House”. Time will tell.


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