#03-16 A Soft Touch for the Soft Touches - Carpet and Upholstry

Hi people! We’re coming into the home stretch with the renovation! This week we’re installing the carpeting and doing some upholstery. Don’t miss it!

I’ll have some exciting news for you next week. Be sure and check back!

#03-15 The Uncommon Fireplace - Cure for the Common Flue Pt. 2

Hi people! Brini here with this week’s episode. We’re finishing up the fireplace this week and it looks great. Have a gander!

The insert we used for the fireplace is a log and grate set that uses gel fuel to create a flame that looks and sounds like a wood fire, but doesn't give off any smoke. It's a lovely alternative to an expensive gas fireplace. Some safety precautions must be observed, however. never leave the fire burning unattended, and never add fuel to an already burning gel pot - it can create flash fires. If you use it safely, it can make a lovely glow!

#03-13 Cork - It's Not Just for Bulletin Boards Anymore

Hello people, this week on the show it’s all about cork. Part of our renovation found us lining the walls of the office and eventually the ceiling in the kitchen with cork. It a wonderful retro 60’s/70’s treatment and it’s practical to boot! It makes a perfect memo board. The process isn’t difficult – just a little messy. Contact cement is the adhesive of choice and it’s a bit like rubber cement – apply it to both surfaces, wait for it to get tacky, then fuse the surfaces together. As with last week’s project, this is essentially a tile job, so plan out your tiles so the seams are centered on the wall for a professional look.

#03-11 God is in the Details - Sanding, Spackling and Painting

Hello people, Brini here with some more ideas for freshening up your home. This week we’re finishing the cabinets and desk that we made on the previous episodes.

Finishing is an important step. Here are some tips.

Webbing tape is a must for filling cracks and holes. It gives the spackle something to cling to and makes the whole process a little easier.

If you have large gaps in your wood work fill them with shims. The shims will fill in the space so you don’t need so much spackle.

Don’t forget to sand – Sanding your spackling job will make it blend into the woodwork.

After you sand, run over your work with a tack cloth. Tack cloth is a loosely woven cloth impregnated with a sticky substance that picks up the dust.

Repeat this process twice for a super smooth look. You can even sand between coats of paint if you want a hand rubbed finish.

#03-10 For the Love of Storage - Cabinet Contemplation and Construction

Hello people, and welcome to another episode! This week we continue our renovation series with the cabinets. Greg, John and I built the unit in an afternoon and I can’t recommend it enough. The clutter in your home will disappear if you utilize the space you live in to its fullest.

Now construction isn’t as complicated as it’s usually made out to be. It’s really just common sense. Here are a few tips:

Planning your project is all about knowing your space. For our cabinets we squared off a wall that had a slant to it, which said something about the architecture of the room. Look at your space with an eye to geometry and you’ll be able to make your built in esthetically pleasing as well as functionally viable.

Measure twice, cut once – it’s an old saw, but it still rings true. When starting to work on your project you can save yourself some grief by confirming your measurements, especially if you’re planning on having your lumber yard cut your wood to size for you – which is a great idea for apartment dwellers without access to table saws and the like.

Take advantage of existing furniture. You saw this on our desk episode – we built in an existing dresser. The professional finishing on furniture is something most built-ins will never be able to match. Using existing pieces of furniture is a great way to get that professional look without having to hire an expensive cabinet maker. Find the pieces in thrift shops and vintage stores for a small investment and your built-in will look like a million dollars!

#03-08 Putting It Together - Building a Better Built-in

Hello people, and welcome to another episode of the vidcast. This week we begin construction. Last week we demolished the dining room, this week we’re delving into the desk. It’s a big job but we’re up to it!

Construction can be daunting, but it can be made easier with a few tips:

Soap your screws – Screws will slide in more easily if you soap the threads.

Pre drill your holes – I can’t stress this point enough. Wood has a tendency to split when you drive screws directly into it without pre-drilling.

Consider using MDF – Medium Density Fiberboard is a composite building material that is comparatively inexpensive, sturdy, strong, doesn’t warp and has a beautiful surface for paint. It’s what we used to build the desk and it looks great!

If you don’t have the luxury of a shop you can have your lumber precut by your lumber yard. It makes for simple assembly on site providing that you are accurate in your measurements. Remember, measure twice, cut once.