Floof! I have never...
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (47)
Related Discussions
Now that I have X I would never go back to X
Comments (40)Actually, I wish I had used roll outs for the upper shelves. I guess rather than let them clonk me in the head, I would stand to the side when I pulled them out (much like standing on the side to access any of the shelves of the entire-pantry-pullout.) I love the look of the systems where the entire pantry pulls out. I thought about putting one in our mudroom or laundry room but in each case, I decided the function of individual roll/pull outs suited my needs better. One of the best advantages of the individual roll outs is that no dead space has to be left between shelves for accessing items, as long as the glides are full-extension. Vertical dead space is necessary in a fixed shelf system in order to have reach room for items in the back--it's also required in the whole pantry pull out system due to the ceiling created by the shelf above that pulls out unnecessarily. Basically, it's a fixed shelf system with access from 2 sides rather than the front. I need to make use of every inch of our pantry space. With the individually controlled shelves, I like gaining the advantage of having no front panel blocking the front view. Also, for the lower shelves and drawers, I like getting a view from overhead. It seems when all the shelves pull out together, the overhead view would be restricted. And for me, the combination of drawers and doors works well because I often unload groceries from my car and plop the bags on the floor in front of the pantry. I still have access to the entire pantry except for the lowest drawer. A pull-out pantry or a pantry with full-height doors wouldn't allow me to do this. After almost 3 years of use, our doors still look great. If they did have scratches, they would be on the inside and I would feel it was a small price to pay for such a highly functional space. I don't think I would enjoy pulling out my entire pantry just to grab on jar or can. Most of the threads above refer to "pantry with pull-outs" rather than "pull-out pantry."...See MoreIf I'd known, I never would have started
Comments (8)I see a few problems: > The banister is almost 50 yrs old, made of oak, While your stair treads look like oak, your banister does not. And it looks like some stain, sometime, has blotched. > I removed the finish with denatured alcohol and 0000 steel wool, sanded with 220 grit paper, used a tack cloth to remove dust, Unless the finish was shellac, denatured alcohol will not remove it. DNA might have some effect on lacquer of that vintage. But if the rails were done the same time as the stair treads / floor, it's probably a varnish. Banisters are also a good place to attract body oils from use. That can soften many finishes and putting new finish over soft finish -> soft finish. Body oils also build up that might affect later finishes unless scrupulously cleaned. And if this is your second attempt, what was your first?? >then applied Minwax pre-stain wood conditioner, allowed it to dry for 1 hour, Contrary to directions, it works best if left to dry overnight. But if you have not removed the old finish, it probably didn't do any good, as it was not getting into the raw wood. >then Minwax Wood Finish in Dark Walnut (oil-based wood stain), wiped it 2X, let the banister dry overnight (16 hours), Normally, this is good. A common cause of "sticky" finish is to not wipe off enough of the stain (which happens to be called Wood Finish, another misleading label.) But again, this product is meant to be applied to raw wood, which you may not have and thus just ended up sitting on top of what was there and didn't cure properly. > then applied Formby's Tung Oil Finish Low Gloss (store didn't have Waterlocks), wiped it off, then let dry 18 hours. Yet another lie on the label. This is not Tung Oil. It does not contain tung oil. It is simply a thinned varnish. It's not a terrible finish, you are not getting that mystique of "Hand Rubbed Tung Oil," you're getting wiping varnish. >The banister doesn't feel right in my hand. Formby's says to let the finish dry completely, buff with steel wool and re-apply to build sheen. Will that improve anything? With the situation as described, it's hard to say. One coat of wiping varnish is quite minimal. It's equivalent to about 1/3 a coat of finish. Air movement and adequate temperature are needed for these finishes to cure properly, that they do by absorbing oxygen and polymerizing. >questions: Is this ever going to look and feel right? What should I have done? What can I do now - must I begin again? I would give it a few more days then try some more Formby's. It may not work, but it's worth a try. > The Minwax fumes are killing me - I don't think I can stain with that stuff again. Stain is meant for raw wood. That train has already left. If you didn't get off all the original finish, it didn't even stop at the depot. Worst case scenario: Start over. Strip with a real stripper then get some better product than Minwax / Formby's. Here is a link that might be useful: Tung Oil Finish...See MoreBacksplash dilemma I never thought I'd have!
Comments (18)sjhockey - I really wanted back painted glass for my backsplash but my kitchen could not make friends with it. My kitchen turned out more transitional than modern and it didn't work for us but I think it would be great in yours, Be ready for sticker shock. Starphire glass is best as it doesn't look like a green coke bottle, There are many companies that do this - one was called Bear glass - I managed to get on their mailing list, so easy to remember the name. So exciting!...See MoreJust when I said I have never gotten a tomato hornworm....
Comments (15)Triple, ever since the first day I ever planted anything (a rose...and about 200 years ago), I've been obsessive about my plants. So if something ate anything, I would know. I recall an ongoing battle between me and one squirrel that to this day, I did not find a way to kill, LOL. (Another "bug" if you ask me.) Out of hundreds of tomatoes, we actually ate about 20 total thanks to that demon. Speaking of demons, I have one resident squirrel here. He is eyeing my bushes and I am eyeing him. I'm older since that last battle and have less patience--let's just leave it at that for now. LOL But on GW/Houzz, I've seen so many people post about hornworms and I shudder each time I see one, praising sweet baby Jesus that I never, ever had one. Until this year. It just obliterated big stems of all the leaves and growth. I feel like I am down to about half the potential tomatoes I had--and this poor thing is a determinate plant so it's not like I can wait for the next round. Very strange, too, because I have 7 total tomato plants here and only this one, which was technically the most robust one, is the one that got hornworms. It is, of course, the only one where I have one plant of this variety, too. Ain't life grand? :) (Meanwhile, it was two tomato hornworms that came back to triple's backyard six times each...Haha.)...See More- 4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoamylou321 thanked Zalco/bring back Sophie!
Related Stories

LIFEYou Said It: ‘I’m Never Leaving’ and More Houzz Quotables
Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week
Full Story
FUN HOUZZEverything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey
Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5
Full Story
LIFEYou Said It: ‘Just Because I’m Tiny Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Go Big’
Changing things up with space, color and paint dominated the design conversations this week
Full Story
INSIDE HOUZZInside Houzz: Updates to the Houzz App for iPhone and iPad
With a redesign and new features, the Houzz app is better than ever
Full Story
CONTAINER GARDENSPatio-Perfect Berry Bushes Like You’ve Never Seen
Small enough for pots but offering abundant fruit, these remarkable bred berries are a boon for gardeners short on space
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDES15 Home Decor Accessories That Never Disappoint
A designer's top go-to accessories can help tell your story, no matter what your home's style
Full Story
COFFEE WITH AN ARCHITECT8 Things an Architect Will Never Say
Architects are people too. But it doesn't mean they talk like everyone else
Full Story
KIDS’ SPACESSee an Arizona Nursery That’ll Never Get Old
Age appropriate but not childish, this baby boy’s room will grow with him without a redesign
Full Story
LIFEWhat I Learned While Cleaning Out My Junk Drawers
A homeowner finds some surprises on her journey to junk-free bliss
Full Story
littlebug zone 5 Missouri