Charles and Hudson

7 Tips to DIY Carpet Pulling

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:35:21 -0800

Pulling carpet yourself can save a few bucks and here are 7 tips to make the process go smoothly.

1. Pulling up carpet is a labor-intensive activity, so while you can do it by yourself, it's a lot easier, and a lot less heavy, if you bring in at least one other person to help out.

2. Watch for exposed nails, wear thick-soled shoes and tread carefully. Underneath the carpet, there could be old flooring, or there could just be a collection of junk, dust mites, bugs and other creepy crawly dirt covered items, so you may also want to wear a mask to prevent inhalation of dust. For the same reason, people who have asthma or breathing problems should leave the area to prevent complications.

3. Start in a corner. Using pliers, begin to lift the carpet in a corner; this will start the removal in two directions.

Paint Brushes in Lieu of Makeup Brushes?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:47:19 -0800

We typically leave the beauty tips to Dahlight but she shared one that the frugal DIY crowd may find interesting.

Loew-Cornell Paint Brushes are an excellent alternative to standard makeup brushes. We haven't tried it but maybe the ladies can chime in here. Is it worth it?

Melt Snow Without Damaging Your Walkway from Salt

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:11:39 -0800

A reader wrote in this question:

What is best to use to melt snow on different kinds of surfaces? We did some damage on our slate steps last year by using rock salt.

We polled some experts including Deren S. Monday and the consensus is that slate is definitely not the ideal choice to use in areas that need to be clear of snow. When designing for snowy climates the exterior selections should be salt-resistant to meet performance criteria.

If you've already got the slate installed here are the options as we see it.

1. Remove the slate and install a salt-resistant paver such as high-quality concrete that is also textured to be more slip-resistant.

2. Remove the slate and install thermal heat elements underneath and re-install the slate or install weather resistant material. Salt shouldn't be needed if you go with this option.

6 Keys to Installing a Secure Deadbolt Lock

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:18:07 -0800

Not all dead bolt locks are equal, therefore not all dead bolts will protect you and your property to the same degree.

Here are some tips to make sure your dead bolt lock is securely fastened.

1. Stick to Grade 2 or 1 Strength - Dead bolt locks are graded by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association based on the following characteristics:

Operation i.e.: key torque; cycles
Security i.e.: pull strength, impact resistance
Finish

You can purchase dead bolts in order of strength from weakest (grade 3) to mid-level (grade 2) to high security (grade 1). Grade 3 dead bolts are too weak. Stick to grade 2 or 1 only. Also make sure the bolt extends at least 1" into the doorjamb.

2. Install locks correctly - For maximum security most locksmiths recommend installing locks an in an inch and a half above the knob, at roughly the door's center point. At higher heights the door loses leverage and can be compromised.

3. Swing bar locks - Avoid the door chains and opt for swing bar locks for extra security which can't be forced open.

4. Strike plate strength - The strike plate which is the metal piece that attaches to the door frame should be five inches long and installed with screws at least 3 inches long. There should be no gaps between the strike plate and the door frame.

Marie Know's Home Improvement

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:49:42 -0800

We see and read a lot of home improvement books. It's helpful to get off the web sometimes and read paper (gives the eyes a rest).

We just had a chance to go over a new home improvement book that's geared towards women called Marie's Home Improvement Guide. It's written by Marie L. Leonard who runs her own home improvement business which gives her a solid foundation from which to write this book.

Out initial impression of books targeted to women is poor. Many times the focus is too much on what women can and supposedly can't do instead of going through a real project with less focus on gender but more on how to use the correct tools the right way to finish a project. One example is her recommendation to ditch the 16oz. claw-hammer for a 7oz. which is more than enough weight for household chores and you'll be less fatigued during and after your job. There are more great tips like these as well as common project HowTo's and easy to decipher illustrations.

5 Steps to Prep Your Wall Before You Paint

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:55:40 -0800

Prepping your wall and work area before you paint is vital to your final results. Your paint surface must be clean and your work area clear. You must also tape off any areas you do not want paint to drip on or brush over.

Here are 5 steps to prep your wall for paint.

1. Remove hardware - Light switch plates, door knobs, drape rods and any other room hardware should be removed and organized so it is easy to install after the paint drys.

2. Fix holes - Repair any damage to the wall. Use a drywall patch compound to fill in holes and make sure the compound is smooth and fully drys before painting over. Fill in all nail holes and remove any tape, nails or irregular items from the wall.

3. Clean the walls - Use a damp sponge and go over every inch of the wall to be cleaned. There is a layer of dust that you don't see on all walls and this dust must be removed if you want the paint to adhere properly.

Metropolitan Home's Last Issue - December 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:51:52 -0800

We just received the December 2009 issue of Metropolitan Home magazine which will be the last.

The holiday gift guide highlights some interesting product and the Hi/Low which we are always a fan of, doesn't disappoint. But Met Home always went deeper than other home design mags as they offered a lot of cultural information such as food, film, theater and art.

We've rounded up our favorite tributes to the magazine so you can commiserate with fellow readers.

Met Home:: from apartment dwelling beginnings to modern luxury living, ends - BeachBungalow8

Met Home is Where the Heart Was - Eco Salon

Metropolitan Home Closes Its Doors - ShelterPop

No Shelter For Shelter Books - Caitlin Kelly

Sharing Your Tools is Good for Everyone

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:10:49 -0800

We've long been a fan of tool libraries but unfortunately they are lacking in many cities and most of the tool libraries we've seen are in dire need of updating. Neighborgoods is taking the idea of sharing tools to the next level by combining the idea with a social network. Their tagline "Need a ladder? Borrow it from your neighbor. Have a bike collecting dust in your closet? Rent it out for some extra cash!"

Sounds simple enough. We did an initial search and within 10 miles we found a ladder, cordless drill, wet/dry vac, orbital sander and hand-held jigsaw. These tools aren't typical for most people to have in their toolbox but are indispensable when you need them.

They have launched in beta in Los Angeles, so if you can't find what you need using our DIY City Guide for Los Angeles, then maybe you should sign up with Neighborgoods. Who knows, maybe the tool you've been looking for is right next door.

[via Inhabitat]

Scrap Wood to Awesome Table

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:51:18 -0800

Re-Nest turned us onto this amazing DIY table built from scraps of wood gathered from an industrial area of decaying buildings. With the help of some friends a little know-how this table is now ready to serve Thanksgiving dinner for 10.

Only tools needed are: a table saw, a circular saw, a power drill/impact driver, hand plane, mallet, some drill bits, and a belt sander.

In Honor of the Veterans

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:01:39 -0800

Today is Veteran's Day and regardless of your political leanings we are all Americans and should take a moment today to reflect on the sacrifices our fellow Americans have made and continue to make for our freedoms and those of our brothers and sisters around the world.

If you choose to read on the following is an excerpt from President Obama's speech at Fort Hood which underlines the gravity of the war we are in and the faith we have in our troops to meet this challenge.

New Yorkers are Flocking to Fixer-Uppers

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:34:43 -0800

The demand for fixer-uppers in NYC has never been that high but as inventory has grown and the competitive prices for move-in ready apartments continues to swell, more city dwellers are considering renovating old dwellings.

If the buyer is in a comfortable living situation and doesn't mind waiting to renovate or moving in at a later date then they are in the ideal situation to take on a fixer-upper. Often times these buyers want an apartment done their way and even if they bought a place that was finished they'd invest money in tearing out a countertop and putting in what they like so they figure why not do it once the right way.

When Should You Call In a Design Professional?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:19:41 -0800

I love my finish nailer. Well, I don't really love it, but I like it, I enjoy it, I find it useful for creating the world's most perfect crown molding corner (a future blog post, for sure).

But do I bring out the pancake compressor and finish nailer to drive a single finish nail into my son's train table? Do I go through 5-10 minutes of set-up when just grabbing a finish hammer and a nail set would do the job in 2 minutes? Of course I don't. And neither would you. Why? Because even though I find my finish nailer very handy for certain jobs, it is not meant to be used every time a finish nail is encountered.

The same can be said for a professional designer, or a myriad of professionals for that matter. They are very useful and necessary, but not in every situation.

So how do you decide if you need a design professional? It really comes down to your skill and the risk level you are willing to take. The following scenarios usually require a design professional, which is a general term I use to encompass architects and engineers. Upon reading this post you will have a better idea of when you should, and possibly should not, use a the services of a design professional.

Scenario 1: Structure Will be Affected

Any time your work will affect a load-bearing wall, column, or floor, you will likely need to consult an architect or engineer. It's simply not worth the risk to save money on this element of the project. Perhaps if your affect to the structure is minimal, you can have a designer address just that issue and you can take the rest on separately.

Expect to spend a minimum of $450 for a designer to analyze your project and draw details for the building department.

Metropolitan Home Magazine Closes It's Doors

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:31:13 -0800

Hachette Filipacchi will cease publication of Metropolitan Home with it's December 2009 issue.

2 Years ago PointClickHome.com launched as a first of it's kind online hub for ELLE DECOR, Metropolitan Home and HOME Magazine. HOME Magazine folded last year and now Metropolitan Home will be gone.

Met Home was our favorite of the three shelter magazines. Although it was deemed luxury home design, they always included a Hi/Low feature and an issue dedicated to renovation. Hachette recently redesigned PointClickHome.com and prominently highlighted their two magazines.

What will be become of PointClickHome.com? With only one magazine in the stable will they just re-org under ELLEDECOR.com which currently resides under the PointClickHome?

We recently interviewed Anne E. Collins who is the online editor of PointClickHome.com and hope that she and her team will come through this process unscathed.

Nathaniel Garber Schoen - Garber Hardware

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:25:58 -0800

We thoroughly enjoyed our days living in New York's West Village (enough that we named this blog after our cross streets). We miss the quaint tree-lined streets, impeccably restored brownstones and neighborhood institution Garber Hardware which has been serving New Yorkers in Manhattan and the West Village since 1884.

Nathaniel Garber Schoen is the current owner and we had the pleasure to meet him during our time living on Charles St. Besides helping us with random issues we had with our apartment, Nathaniel also contributed some great content to this blog (Fixing a Running Toilet & Making a Magnetic Bulletin Board).

Family owned stores such as Garbers are what make New York City unique and provide a depth and richness to the neighborhoods in which they operate.

We recently caught up with Nathaniel and asked him to share some insight into his store, his customers and his favorite DIY tip.

CH: Your 5th generation to operate Garber Hardware and the store's history is unique and tied into the fabric of the city. Can you share the background of Garber Hardware and your family?

Nathaniel: The Garbers came to the United States from Odessa Russia in the late 1800's in an effort to escape the Pogroms facing Russian Jews at the time. Garber Hardware was at first a 'push cart retailer' founded by my great-great grandfather, Joseph Garber, and his son (my great grandfather and namesake) Nathan Garber, before the opening of the store on Eighth Avenue and Horatio Street in 1884. Ever since then, a Garber from every following generation has been at the helm.

CH: As the big box retailers have changed the landscape of how diy shoppers shop for tools and home improvement projects, how has Garber Hardware managed to survive and thrive?

Nathaniel: Garber Hardware's location inside of Manhattan has certainly shielded us from the scourge of big box retailers, but most of all it is the "Garber's experience" that keeps our customers loyal. I have many customers with childhood memories of my store, and some whose parents and grandparents were customers as well. A Home Depot opened up on 23rd street a few years ago and I don't feel it had a negative impact on us at all. If anything it may have actually helped drive more business to my store.

Ryobi Noise Suppression Headphones Giveaway

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:36:13 -0800

Our sense of hearing takes a lot of abuse and over time will deteriorate. It's not only the obvious times to protect your hearing such as at a rock concert, listening to your iPod or playing the drums, but also at home while mowing the lawn or using power tools.

Our Giveaway this week, the Ryobi TEK4 Audio Plus Noise Suppression Headphones claim to protect your hearing using active noise suppression/canceling technology, but they also allow you to communicate in regular conversations as they have a built-in mic that pics up nearby low-level sounds that are amplified into the headphones.

There's also an audio input so you can use these headphones with your iPod or other audio device and these headphones are water and impact resistant and should work well in outdoor working environments.

HOW TO ENTER

You've got 2 ways to enter to win these noise suppression headphones from Ryobi:

1. Leave a comment on this post. Just below enter your name and email and comment.

2. Tweet this post. See the green "retweet" button above. Just use it and tweet away!

Each method of entry counts so you'll double your chance of winning if you comment and tweet. Please use a real email address so we can contact you if you win and let us know in the comments if you enter by multiple methods.

GIVEAWAY DEADLINE

The random winner will be chosen at 12 midnight EST on Nov. 13, 2009 and will be notified immediately.

Comment Here to Win