Charles and Hudson

Heath Tile Overstock - One man's seconds is another man's treasure

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:57:30 -0800

Heath Ceramics is a Bay Area institution. The company's skilled craftsmen have been producing exquisite tableware and tile at the Sausalito factory for over 50 years. Lucky for us, they are only human. Because the tile is made-to-order, they often churn out pieces that don't pass Heath's strict standards and sell it at the factory store.

But, trust me, this is still an incredible find. Offered at 75% off retail, the overstock works particularly well for small installations (like the bathroom pictured here). Colors, sizes, and quantity vary daily so it pays to check the inventory list for current availability. And you must purchase in person, so if you don't live on the West Coast, it's a good excuse to start planning a trip.

Weedy Situation

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:03:40 -0800

I took a recent trip over to the L.A. Times home blog where Emily Green, author of The Dry Garden column, takes on a nasty topic: weeds. The topic of weeds reminds me of summer vacations and getting "punished" for who-knows-what. I can never remember why I'd get in trouble but the punishment was always the same - helping my Mother weed the garden.

I dreaded sticking my knees in the dirt, swatting at pesky insects and sweating in the sun as my Mother would shout at me to "pull by the roots!" For those of you that consider this task just as tedious as I, read on for some clever tips by Emily Green.

Though Green's tips are for those of you in the SoCal area of the country, a lot of what she says can be applied elsewhere.

Idea File: An Organized (and Stylish) Garage

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:00:00 -0800

Last week, we gave you a few ideas for late-winter maintenance including everyone's favorite task: garage cleaning!

But no matter how much you dread (or look forward to) garage cleaning and re-organization, leave it to Chicago-based blogger Nicole of Making It Lovely to transform a functional, utilitarian space into a chic retreat befitting your home improvement and gardening projects.

Extreme Curb Appeal, Part 1: Changing the Exterior of Your Home

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:57:25 -0800

When you talk about curb appeal and changing the exterior of your home, usually simple things like landscaping, fencing, and walkways come to mind. However, have you ever thought about what it would take to dramatically change the exterior facade of your home? Well, I have, and I'd like to share a series of posts on what it would take to do just that.

After reading the Forbes list of the 10 must-haves for new homes, I began to think about how I could incorporate some of those attributes into my own home. Even though my house is 112 years old, that doesn't mean it can't hold a flame to the newer, cookie-cutter homes, and I'd like to make sure it's a real competitor when we go to sell it.

The one "must have" that kept popping up in the back of my head was the preference for some exterior materials over some others. Out were vinyl and stucco siding (my house has vinyl) and in are brick and stone. And I kept wondering, how on earth can I, just a lowly homeowner and renovator, make that work in my favor?

The Renovation Chain of Command

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:36 -0800

We've been following this great home renovation series from the Wall Street Journal as a tech editor, Julia Angwin, continues to renovate her Harlem Brownstone.

This week she shares a humbling experience regarding the chain of command when it comes to a renovation. It's a lesson learned and fortunately Julia's pride doesn't seem like it will hinder this project.

There is definitely something to be said for making executive decisions but also for letting your paid professionals make the decisions you've employed them to make. They know their subs and teams the best and will usually make decisions much faster and with more information than you as a homeowner could. But it also never hurts to follow up and check up on everything.

The Value of Second-Hand Furniture

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:24:40 -0800

A new series from BBC Two called Cracking Antiques, aims to show you how second-hand furniture and antiques could and should be a part of your own home decor.

IKEA and Pottery Barn are great but you'll never find pieces with the same character that you could discover at an antique market or used furniture shop. Minimalism and modern design has been the hot trend worldwide but many designers are looking way back to vintage furniture to infuse warmth and charm to contemporary spaces.

Flea Market Style, The Magazine

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:23:56 -0800

Today, the shelter-centered parts of my feedreader exploded with excitement and joy -- there was a new shelter magazine released! In the wake of such greats like Domino and Metropolitan Home being discontinued, it seems like a welcome reprieve to welcome a new contender to the ring.

So, without further ado, I introduce you to Flea Market Style, the magazine.

Created by Matthew Mead, a regular contributor to Better Homes & Gardens and Victoria magazines, and Ki Nassauer, the former editor and columnist of Country Home magazine, Flea Market Style is supposedly for both the scavenger/repurposer and the DIY crafter.

How to Repair Heaved Fence Posts

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:36:38 -0800

Winter can be rough on your fence. As the frost leaves the ground and you start to wander around the backyard, you may notice that some of your fence posts have moved around.

Is your fence leaning? Are their sections snapped off or threatening to? Does your gate take heavy machinery to open? All of these conditions are a result of frost heaving the concrete around the post and doing a number on your fence.

With some sweat, a sledge and a shovel, you can fix these up before the summer hits. Here's how.

Build Your Own Patio Planter from Wood or Concrete

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:11:28 -0800

A perfect project for spring, building a planter box for your patio is simple and easy. Customize it to the shape and size you need and compliment your backyard landscape.

Wooden Planter Boxes
For a rustic or sleek look, use wood to build a planter. It's possible to make almost any shape, but boxes in a square or rectangle are the easiest.

Work with deck boards or 2x6 lumber - the entire box shape including base and side can be assembled with these dimensions. A rim or lip can be built with planed 2x6 or you can switch up to 2x4 or 1x6.

Once you've built the box shape, remember to account for drainage and also soil retention. Line the box with heavy duty plastic or landscape fabric stapled into the inside. Poke or punch holes through the liner.

Weekly Roundup: Kitchen Remodels, Composting and Rockler Giveaway

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:03 -0800

Here's a recap of what's hot across the Charles & Hudson blog network.

How To Save, Spend and Plan a Kitchen Remodel
Composting 101
Life as a Contractor in France
DIY Concrete Countertops are Easier Than You Think

How To Save, Spend and Plan a Kitchen Remodel

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:18:56 -0800

The latest series from our Kitchen blog is from Jennifer Volland who highlights the design and build process of her friends Hollywood Hills kitchen.

Part I: Where to Save
Part II: Where to Spend
Part III: How to Plan

Spend A Little, Gain A Lot

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:11:11 -0800

Ah, the housing market. For those of us who have property up for sale, we're either forced to lower our asking price or take it off the market, crossing our fingers that it's only a matter of time until it's a seller's market once again. Until that happens, it's important to keep your home updated.

An upgrade doesn't necessarily mean a heavy kitchen reno or a landscape lift. DIY Network has come up with a great list of updates for under $1,000. But my faves? Some major changes for under $100. Now that's in my budget.

Here's some of their under $100 tips:

Pay A Pro
Yup. An hour consultation with a pro is usually under $100. They'll point out things you've never even thought of doing. Who knew brick linoleum was passe?

Hire An Inspector
A full home inspection will nip little problems in the bud - before they can become big break-the-bank problems. They can pick up on things that aren't cosmetic - like deteriorating roofs, termite infestation or outdated electrical systems.

Late Winter Tasks Pave the Way for Spring Projects

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:01:00 -0800

After a long, nasty winter, temperatures in Kansas City climbed near 60 degrees yesterday, causing a widespread outbreak of spring fever (which was soon remedied by the announcement of impending snow through the end of the week.)

In the spirit of the coming warmth, there are a handful of late-winter outdoor tasks that make spring gardening and other related projects much easier when the season officially turns. To start? Consider your home's command center, also known as the garage.

10 Must-Have Items for New Homes

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:15:30 -0800

After the International Builders' Show, Forbes asked some consumer experts what they thought the 10 "must-have" items are in the new American home. The list was published in Feburary and can be seen in full here.

With the economy being slow to rebound and many families looking to downsize their homes, the list compiled illustrates how views are changing when it comes to a home and its amenities. Many people are now looking for multi-use space, less "top of the line" details and more simple creature comforts.

Pavestone Walkways Lead to Private Nooks

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:14:24 -0800

The beauty of a path is that it directs you (obviously). But a well built and properly designed path can do so much more for your home.

Pavestone is the perfect material to use for your walkway. These handy, pre-formed cement pavers can give you the look of anything from flagstone to contemporary geometric shapes. They're also usually more economical than the real deal.

Pick colors to match your landscape, shapes to startle or simply blend in and textures of all kinds.

Follow these tips for laying your pavestones.