5 Things To Do Yourself

It's that time of year that people begin to get the itch to be productive. We are cooped up inside and we see and have time to tackle those nagging little home projects on our to do list. Before you begin, let's assess what you can do and what really needs to be hired out.

 

First, take a pad of paper or your smartphone and go room by room. Take a fresh look at the space. Is something in need of repair? Would a good cleaning solve your problem? Are you tired of looking at that old ceiling fan? Is that picture still leaning against the wall waiting to be hung? Once you have a master list of what needs to be done, you can assess what you want and can do and what you need to hire someone else to do. Depending on your skill and confidence level, this may vary by person. Here is my list of 5 things most anyone could tackle.

 

1.    Replace shower faucet head. Minimal tools are needed for this and can really upgrade your showering experience and make you wonder why it took you so long. Two that I have enjoyed trying out recently are the Grohe Rainshower hand shower and the Kohler Moxie shower head. It has a Bluetooth speaker built into it!

 

2.   Replace a light fixture or ceiling fan. A little electrical knowledge is needed or the ability to read instructions. Few tools are needed, but patience and possibly a third hand are a must. Make sure you turn off the breaker before you begin.

 

3.   New cabinet hardware. A very simple change, make sure you find a pull that matches the current hole pattern you have drilled in your cabinet doors and drawers or select a backplate that will cover up the old holes. You can either purchase online or through a local hardware company.

 

4.   Paint. More tools are needed for this project and it's important to make sure you prep and tape off the space well before you begin. (While I have painted many a space, I have found it less frustrating and more economical, time wise, for me to hire this out. If you ever see me purchasing a paint brush, feel free to tell me to put it down and call the painter!)

 

5.   Minor sheetrock repairs. Patience and a few tools are needed. This skill is important before you tackle some of the painting projects above.

 

6.   Window treatments & blinds. A drill, a hammer, screws, a tape measure and a pencil. Measure twice and drill once. So simple and very rewarding!

 

Need a little help? Someone in your local hardware store is a great wealth of knowledge. That little thing called the internet. Yeah, it's helpful too. And YouTube has a wealth of knowledge in video tutorials that can help you through your projects. If all else fails, call The Man. AKA the painter, electrician, plumber. You won't be sorry. If you have any questions you would like addressed, don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Kitchen Myth's: Part 6

Myth: “Yes, it will fit.”

 Fact: You can’t deny the reality of a square foot, but it’s amazing how many people try to do just that. One client insisted on putting an island in her new townhouse kitchen, although there was clearly not enough room for it. She tried to do what’s popular without any thought to whether it would work in the space. Now, there’s barely room to stand behind it to use the counter and you can’t put anything on the adjacent wall except for a painting.

 

Human nature is tricky. We can unwittingly grow attached to our old appliances and end up with new refrigerators that are too small  or too large or with ovens that are short on burners. Or, we forget our physical limitations and opt for a sink bay window that’s too deep or an island that’s too huge to clean. It's important to pay particular attention to aisle width, which should be between 42” and 48”. If there’s too little space, you’re stuck if someone lowers the door of the oven, dishwasher or microwave. Always try to maintain your objectivity, and remember that, in the end, utility trumps every other consideration.

 

Myth: You can decide on the design as you go

 

Fact: Designing on the fly is likely to lead to a big mess. For a successful design plan, it's important to start with a clear picture of what you want, and it's even better to have it down on paper with each detail selected. You can successfully mix styles and pieces, but even if you're a seasoned pro, this requires considerably more strategy than just picking up decor that you like on a whim. There's nothing worse than getting to the middle or end of a project to find out that sink you really wanted is back ordered for 3 months.

 

The end of the year is drawing near and we will begin focusing on new ideas. If you have any you would like added to the list or questions regarding some we have already discussed, don't hesitate to contact me at jessica@webbercoleman.com