DIY help! Any tips/recommendations? New home needs a face lift!
Andi
5 years ago
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5 years agoAndi
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Interested in do-it-yourself vertical structures!
Comments (28)I use those 4' orange electic fence stakes from home depot (about $1 a piece)for lots of things in the yard & gardens. Pound it in the ground and then slide the PVC pipe over it and into the soil a bit. Set out several of these with holes drilled in the PVC pipe and string wire through them to make a fairly sturdy, portable & cheap trellis. I use these stakes to build easy fencing. I use plastic cable ties to secure wire or plastic mesh fencing to them. Because I dislike the orange and it stands out like a sore thumb, I paint my stakes black. Pound 2 rows of these stakes in the ground about 4' apart and slide each end of a flexible PVC pipe over them, making an arch. Cover this with garden cloth or plastic to protect plants. I "sew" the fabric to the pvc with fishing line. If you are using plastic, cut some flaps in it, to keep it from blowing away in a big wind. I use them to brace non secured retaining walls. At my old house I built a raised bed using them to hold the lumber together. I drilled holes in the timbers and slid them over the stakes, then I lined the interior side with heavy plastic....See Morehodge podge and boring office needs spring face lift
Comments (10)The one thing I woud change is the computer table/desk. Get something that matches the other L shaped desk...or guess you could bring in and use the table. I am thinking more of a desk with storage below...maybe a mate to the L shaped desk but just the desk part. Not sure but I think you could move the two file cabinets next to the beautiful safe and put your desk where the file cabinets are now. That way you would have a wall of desks and the file cabinet/safe would balance out the bookcase you have in there. Love your red chair....See MoreI'm getting a face lift instead of a kitchen remodel
Comments (17)joanie b, thanks for the link to the kitchen like ours. It really did look nice. After reading people's thoughts (THANK YOU SO MUCH), thinking about the work to be done (while taking care of mom,) and money to be saved for the *real* remodel, we think we will probably refinish the cabinets. I think striping them (Thanks for the info on soygel, mom2lilenj) will be easiest in some ways. It will be a bit of a challenge to find handles since the existing ones are 3 1/2 ctc. We tried to do it years ago before the internet but could only find 3" centers. I figure we can even get anything with holes 3 inches apart as long as it projects far enough to cover the hole. Didn't think of that years ago. If we remove the hinges and put on hidden ones, I guess we will just have to use wood filler as close as possible to the color. The exposed hinges in the link from joanie b looked good though, so maybe we will do that. Less holes to fill too. Anyone have a better idea? Does anyone have a non-toxic top coat to suggest? We will do a test door to see about the color change, but I am hoping to not have to strip the cabinet boxes in the house, if possible. They are in pretty good shape. Less work and time, unless there is too noticeable a difference. We aren't sure about the counter yet. It is in decent condition and I think I could stand it for another 2 years. I can't wait to take down the wallpaper border to update the room, but I will miss what it says...'In everything, give thanks.' I hadn't thought about getting rid of the rack for the dishes and cookbooks, but I will try. There is a heating register behind it, so I can't block it with a hutch. That may have to wait, but I can neaten up the rack a bit if it stays. The reason I got it was to make my cabinets more usable since I am just under 5' tall. I had to get a stool every time I needed baking things from the SECOND shelf. What my kitchen really needs is built in step stools... LOL. What really needs to go is the sink, so maybe we will put in an inexpensive ss one to try out a large single bowl. I've always had a double, so that way I would now which I like better. I want a silgranite when the time comes. Thanks again for your help! Terri...See MoreHelp me give my kitchen a face lift!
Comments (23)To me, everything about your kitchen says "quality" and traditional -- all of it -- the cabinets, countertop, floors, and cabinet hardware. It's really quite charming. For me, the major problem is poor quality lighting. Invest in a skylight if the home is a single story. Install under cabinet led lights. Thank goodness there is no expensive backsplash so you would only have sheet rock repair to take care of after running the electrical. Add recessed cans in the ceiling. I agree about increasing the size of the crown molding and also add a light rail. These don't have to match. They could be a darker stain than the cabinets or black. The floor needs several beautiful bright traditional runners. I would spend the $$$ on a new backsplash since it will be awhile before you'll remodel and would make a huge difference in updating that space. To save your back, invest in some pull out trays. Quikdrawers.com and Barker cabinets are both good companies that can take care of that. Are your drawers full extension? If not, you'll be much happier in that kitchen having full extension drawer slides again. That hulking black fridge is probably dominating the space. A CD fridge in stainless would make a huge difference. Look for one on CL. That is where I found mine for my remodel after about a month of daily scanning. And congrats on your lovely new home....See MoreStephanie Chatel
5 years agoUser
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