Home Improvement for Women

I was reminded not too long ago about the importance of summer safety when a friend’s daughter slipped and fell on their wet patio.  Luckily, the plucky 11 year old knew how to swim, because she fell into the family’s just-opened and cleaned pool. She was fine, except for wet clothes, and a bruised arm and ego.  But what if she didn’t know how to swim? I don’t even want to think about it! Well, it’s now time for a primer and a reminder on 10 Summer Safety “Must Do’s”. 

1. Update the first aid kit.  Keep a simple first aid kit in the kitchen, bathroom, car and outdoor storage bench or garden shed.  Make sure everyone in the family knows where the kits are kept. If you already have kits, now is the time to make sure that aspirin and any other meds and ointments are up to date and not past expiration. Replace those that are. Make sure bandages are fresh and well stocked as well.  If you’re buying new, check out Johnson and Johnson’s Emergency First Aid Kit for $29.99 or their Large First Aid Kit for less than $10 – both at Target stores.
2. No running! Create and stick to “running rules” for your kids, and their friends.  Normally, that means no running around pools, ponds, and fountains; wet surfaces; cobblestones and other rough terrain. Running on grass, fields and lawns, are fine.  Let’s face it falling down and scraping knees are part of childhood – so be sensible but smart. Want to make the list official? Go to zazzle.com to create a custom poster listing your rules. 
3. Schedule a family refresher course in CPR.  At least one person in the family should be CPR certified, and it would be ideal if everyone in your house were familiar with the procedure. Sign up for courses at your local high school or a Red Cross chapter.
4. Clear gutters and downspouts. Water damage to your home – which can lead to mold and rot – often will occur because of clogged gutters and downspouts. Dry spring weather is the perfect time to clean out last fall’s dead leaves, twigs, dirt and debris.  Guttersense.com makes a gutter-cleaning tool that eliminates the need to get on a ladder – it’s 19.95, plus shipping.  Of course, when doing outdoor work don’t forget your fashionable Barbara’s Way work gloves, available at Home Depot.com for 14.99.
5. Bug patrol. This is the time of year when ants, including detractive carpenter ants, spiders, and other creepy crawlers, start moving around and in – to your house.  Eartheasy.com sells a variety of natural insect control products, safe for kids and pets – but bad for bugs!
6. Check outdoor electrical plugs.  Make sure exterior outlets are in working condition.  Sometimes a harsh winter can wreak havoc on them.  If they don’t work call a licensed electrician for help.  If they are – check out outdoor lighting options such as lamps, torches, and spots.  The Home Depot, for example, sells an outdoor table lamp by Hampton Bay in Weathered Brown for $84.98.  It’s perfect for adding ambiance to romantic dinners al fresco!
7. Check gas grills before firing them up.  Test for leaks, cracks and other damage.  Make sure tanks are full and the grill itself is clean.  To get the grates ready for barbeques, check out Grill Daddy’s Pro Grill Brush, $21.85 on amazon.com.
8. Know your poison plants – from poison ivy to poison sumac, many wild plants can cause rashes, itching, and other unpleasant reactions.  First, identify plants you may suspect of being poisonous.  WebMd.com has a guide to poison vegetation at http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/poison-ivy-oak-sumac along with tips on what to do if you or a family member is exposed.
9. Replace pets’ flea and tick collars.  If your furry friends spend any time outside, make sure they have new, fresh and effective flea and tick collars. Petco, both the stores and online, has a variety of collars, most priced less than $8.00. 
10. Stock up on sunscreen. The tubes from last summer may have lost their effectiveness – even if they have not reached their expiration date the fact that they have been open and exposed to the air can impact efficacy. Start the season with a new bottle or two.  Remember to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and always after swimming.  Kids and babies need extra protection, so look for brands especially made for their delicate skin and at least 30 SPF. Blue Lizard baby sunscreen is my favorite for kids – and is recommended by dermatologists.  It’s about $15 and is available at Walgreens and CVS.

Now go on and have a great (and safe) summer with your family and friends.  You did it, Barbara’s Way! 

OVERVIEW: Create customized storage and display for your treasured reading with this simple-to-build bookcase that can be painted or stained to match your décor.

MATERIALS: 1”x10” or 1”x12” pine board (planed, not the unfinished, knotty, rough-looking stuff); eight 1 ½” long flathead wood screws; 16 x (number of shelves desired) ½” long woodscrews; 4 x (number of shelves desired) L-brackets; wood glue; sandpaper

BARBARA’S WAY TOOLS: 12’ or 16’ tape measure, screwdriver, 4.8v rechargeable cordless screwdriver

OTHER TOOLS: handsaw (or circular saw); c-clamps, pencil

BEFORE YOU BEGIN; If you want to skip the cutting and sanding steps, take your measurements to the lumberyard or home improvements store and have them cut the wood to your specifications.

STEP ONE: Some Simple Math

Take a look at what kinds of books you need to store – paperbacks? hardcovers? over sized art books? – and decide where to place the shelves and the exact dimensions of the bookcase. Now use this simple formula to determine how much wood you’ll need: The top and bottom sections should be the same length. The two sides should be the same length. Each shelf should be 1.5” shorter than the top and bottom pieces.

STEP TWO: Measure Twice, Cut Once

If you did not have the wood cut to order at the lumberyard, measure carefully so you end up with two pieces of equal length for top and bottom, two pieces of equal length for the sides and enough pieces for the number of shelves you’ve decided on (remember, the shelves should be 1.5” shorter than the top and bottom pieces). Mark the measurements with a pencil line. Using the c-clamps, attach your board to sawhorses or a sturdy table or workbench with the line just off the edge. Double-check your measurements. Saw carefully using smooth strokes. Sand the rough-cut edges.

STEP THREE: Assembly required

Glue the tops of two side pieces to the inside edge of the bottom piece. Once the glue is dry, attach the top piece in the same way. Mark a dot in each corner of the top and bottom pieces of wood about 1.5” – 2” from the top and bottom edges and about 3/8” from the outside edges. Using a drill bit that’s smaller in diameter than your flathead wood screws, drill holes at each of the marks. If you do this before you install the screws it should keep the wood from splitting, Put the screws in and tighten.

STEP FOUR: A place for everything

Determine the placement of the shelves and, using the ruler, mark a line on each side of the unit. Screw in the L-brackets so that the top of the bracket is level to the line you just drew. Use two brackets per side. Now slide the shelves in so they rest on the brackets. You can attach the shelves to the brackets for more stability. If you have made a tall shelving unit, you should attach at least one of the middle shelves to the L-brackets for extra support. If the shelf is extra wide, consider using L-brackets on the top and bottom pieces for stability.

STEP FIVE: Finishing touches

It’s all about the decorating now. Paint or stain your bookshelf. Add glass doors or leave them open to display your favorite books and items. Your library is in order – and you did it yourself!

Timesaving Tip: Save even more time – and have adjustable shelves – by using board with pre-drilled holes for shelf supports. Before you take the wood home be 100% sure that the holes match up perfectly from side to side.

The sun is out, the temperature is climbing, summer is not far off. I’ve started thinking about shorts, tank tops and bathing suits, which means it’s time to get in shape.

And if your life is busy like mine, it’s often all too easy to make excuses to skip the gym. By creating a space dedicated to fitness in a corner of my home, I’m able to sneak in a workout any time.

Not only is a home gym a great timesaver, it’s also a smart economic move. Between sign-up fees and memberships, a one-year investment in a gym could cost $2,000 or more. You can work out for a lot less at home.

If you think that having a home gym means you need a spare room or finished space in a garage, basement or attic and lots of expensive equipment, think again. Even if you lack square footage or a big budget, here’s how to create an affordable home workout space that’s virtually invisible when not in use.

Choose your location

You should have at least enough room to be able to comfortably lie down and reach your arms over your head and put them side-to-side. To delineate the space, consider mounting a wooden blind or installing a curtain track on the ceiling. Simply lower the blind or pull the curtain to hide your gym equipment, or for privacy while working out.

Air circulation is also extremely important. A window that allows for fresh air is the first choice. If that isn’t possible, install a ceiling fan.

Buy the basics

All you need to furnish a versatile home gym is a fitness ball, free weights, a weighted jump rope, stretch bands and a ½-inch-thick rubber floor mat. You might also want to consider a doorway chin-up bar, Bosu ball (for balance training) or rebounder (a mini-trampoline).

You can also find treadmills, cardio steppers or elliptical striders that fold away and can be stashed in closets or under furniture.

Use the walls

If you don’t already have one, buy a flat-screen TV so you can watch fitness DVDs (or you can also play DVDs or stream classes online on your computer monitor). Mount the TV on a wall, or situate it on a shelf just below eye level, so you can see it whether you are standing or lying down.

Don’t let the space start looking like a locker room — install simple shelves to store weights and other equipment. Or use rolling storage boxes that slide under a bed or couch. Hide a wall-mounted mirror behind draperies and cover rubber floor mats with an easy-to-roll-up rug made of cotton, lightweight wool or sisal.

Now there are no excuses for being lazy, and no need to panic come summer.

Do it Barbara’s Way!

For more tips, videos and how-to’s, visit barbarasway.com.

MATERIALS: 1”x 8” cedar or pine, or 1’- 2’ length 2” x 2” cedar or pine, 2” galvanized wood screws, sand paper, paint or stain

BARBARA’S WAY TOOLS: 12’ or 16’ tape measure, 4.8v rechargeable cordless screwdriver, gloves

OTHER TOOLS: handsaw (or circular saw); pencil, goggles and paint brush, 2 – 8’ lengths

STEP ONE:

Using your tape measure and hand saw, measure and cut 3 pieces 3 feet long and 2 pieces 9” long of the 1”x 8” wood. Then measure and cut 3 pieces 8” long of the 2”x 2” wood. Sand all edges of your wood to remove sharp edges and splinters.

STEP TWO:

Lay one 3 foot piece on a flat surface and attach one side piece to the edge. This is done by using your cordless screwdriver and pre-screwing a hole smaller than the diameter of your screws. The holes should be every 6”. Use your drill to screw the wood together. Repeat step for other side.

STEP THREE:

Pre-screw the 2 9” pieces on all four corners and attach to the ends of the 3’ pieces making sure the edges all line up.

STEP FOUR:

Attach the 3 2”x 2” pieces to the bottom of the plant box. Place one on each end and one in the center with 3 screws for each.

STEP FIVE:

Screw ¼” or ½” holes randomly in the bottom of the plant box for water drainage.

STEP SIX:

Paint or stain to your desired finish and you are ready for planting.

And you did it yourself Barbara’s Way!

MATERIALS: 3 Curtain road, curtains/fabric, clip rings, glue gin and glue sticks

BARBARA’S WAY TOOLS: Screwdriver, 12’ or 16’ tape measure and scissors

TIP: Fabrics for a canopy bed are often chintz or luxurious silk. However, casual fabrics like muslins, ginghams and calicos are inexpensive and offer a textured country look.

STEP ONE:

Measure the area you want to drape (from ceiling to floor) and purchase enough curtains or fabric to drape the desired area. If you are making the curtains yourself, measure the area and get assistance from the fabric store.

STEP TWO:

Three standard curtain rods hung on the ceiling are all you’ll need for this look. Measure and mark the area on the ceiling where the curtain rods are going to be installed. Be sure to attach clips onto the rod before installation, unless the clips have an opening that allows them to be attached to pole after it is hung.

STEP THREE:

Once the rods are in place, hang the curtains of your choice from the clip rings. An alternate treatment could be to use tab top panels, tie top drapes, or grommets to create the canopy hangings

STEP FOUR:

Now decide how many hooks or knobs you want on your hanger, Measure the spaces in between each hook carefully with your tape measure and mare the spots with a pencil.

STEP FIVE:

With your hammer and nail, punch a starter hole on the spots you marked and where the hooks or pull knobs will be screwed in. Screw in the hooks or pull knobs lightly.

STEP SIX:

Attach the picture hanger to the upper backside of the accessories hanger with small screws. Place the picture hook on the wall and finally mount your accessories hanger on the wall. Now you can start organizing your stuff on a hanger YOU made!

There’s nothing more enticing than a pot of homemade spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove: the smell of garlic, fresh herbs and ripe tomatoes right off the vine. And there’s nothing more satisfying than harvesting these ingredients from your own vegetable garden — right in your apartment.

Urban farming means container gardening, and it works in any kind of space. It’s easy: No digging, tilling or weeding. It’s efficient: Watering and harvesting take only minutes. It’s inexpensive: You can get started with a few plastic containers. You’ll save time and money — all while enjoying organic, pesticide-free fruits and veggies.

Getting started The first thing you need to do is consider the space. Do you have a terrace or back-yard space? A sunny room? Spacious window ledges? Most gardening experts say to aim for six to eight hours per day of direct sunlight. If you don’t get that much sun in any one space, group your containers on rolling platforms and move your “garden” in search of sun! (Learn how to build a plant dolly at barbarasway.com.)

Choose your crops Buy seeds from catalogs or purchase seedlings from your local farmers’ market. If you’re planting indoors, you can grow crops year-round. If your garden will be in a sunny space (with four or more hours of strong, direct sunlight daily), think about planting cherry tomatoes, banana or chili peppers, cucumbers or strawberries. If your light is poor, try beans, root vegetables and leafy greens such as spinach, chard, rhubarb, broccoli, cabbage and kale. Some herbs, onions and garlic also do well in less light.

Choose your containers Use ready-made planters, old milk cartons, plastic buckets and even children’s wading pools. Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom, and place a fine screen or fabric barrier over it so the soil can’t pass through. Or build simple wooden window boxes with instructions from the “Do It Yourself” projects section on my Web site.
Make sure the container has room for the roots to spread out. For tomatoes, cucumbers or carrots, choose containers starting at about a 15-quart capacity. Leave room at the top for future mulching.

* Prepare the land The hardest part of urban gardening is hauling the planting material up to your apartment, especially if you’re in a walkup! Even though you’re going to be “gardening” indoors, don’t use garden soil. It’s heavy and can harbor diseases and insects. Organic, lightweight potting soil mixes are best.

* Tending your crops Water your crops daily or at least every other day. Because frequent watering depletes nutrients from the soil, plan on using a balanced, organic fertilizer every two weeks.

* To grow more, go vertical If you’re placing containers against a wall or fence, the easiest (and cheapest) method of creating a trellis is to string twine or wire. Using screws, attach one end of the twine to the container and the other end to a screw sunk into the wall. (You can do this indoors, too.) Place the container about a quarter inch from the wall so there is room for plants to grow upward. Allow plants to climb on wire pyramid cages, or lash bamboo poles at the top and sink the ends into the container.

After your garden is thriving, you can dream even bigger. Consider hydroponic window systems (windowfarms.org), and look into kitchen composting.

Do it Barbara’s Way!

With a speedy commute, flexible hours, and lots of independence, working from home can be a great luxury, especially when your home office is comfortable and efficient. Here are 5 simple steps you can take to make your home office the most productive space in your house: 

1. Make the space work for you. Assess what you really need from your office. If you are transitioning from a job outside the home, consider what worked best about your old workspace. Was everything in one place? Do you like to spread out your papers to work? Are your files on your hard drive, in a filing cabinet, or on your Blackberry or iPhone? Do you expect to share the space with your family (for kids to do homework, or as a guestroom), or will your office be a place for you and you only? Don’t set up your office based on how you think you should work. Set it up based on how you are already working.

For example, because I have an office for my business, I don’t feel like I need a formal workspace at home. I can work in any space as long as there is an outlet for my laptop! I tend to gravitate toward serene spots, where I can be creative and think, which is why my desk is in my bedroom, rather than in a family area. 

2. Set your budget and think outside the box. Are you planning on building a new space for your office, or converting a garage or attic? If it’s a simple conversion of existing space, a general contractor should be able to give you an estimate. Get multiple estimates, and check all references from anyone you are thinking of hiring. If your budget is lean, you can still create a useful working space in your home. Get creative: do you have a guest room that rarely hosts guests? A playroom that your kids have outgrown?  Extra space in the kitchen? Designate office space using low-cost solutions like screens, bookcases, and modular storage units to preserve privacy and contain your work. 

3. Get wired. Once you’ve decided where your office will be located, lay out how the finished room will look. Take measurements and sketch how furniture will fit in the room. List the office equipment you will be using to determine where to place additional electrical outlets, reducing the need for extension cords. For me, one of the most crucial things in a workspace is lighting. I prefer both natural and overhead lighting. If your room lacks windows, make sure you have enough overheard and area fixtures. You’ll also want a desk lamp for adequate task lighting. Consider what other wiring you will need: Do you do all your business on a cell? Or do you need a landline, or two? Is the room hard-wired for high-speed Internet service? Or should you invest in a wireless router, providing Internet access to the whole household without needing to “plug-in”?  

4. Make yourself comfortable. I sometimes like to work on the floor in a big pile of pillows, near a sunny window. When I’m comfortable, I’m willing to stay where I am and focus on the task at hand. Your home office should be a place you look forward to going — not somewhere you are eager to escape! Arrange your work area in an L or U shape – this way you’ll have all your important items within easy reach. If you plan on spending lots of hours at your desk, make sure that you get a comfortable chair with adequate back support. Place your computer keyboard and monitor are at the proper height. Consider how you will heat and cool your space. Ceiling fans and programmable thermostats are proven energy savers. (Go to www.barbarasway.com for info on how to evaluate and install these proven money and energy savers!) 

5. Create a place for everything. You can install wall shelving (inexpensive and easy to construct), use free-standing shelves (I’ve got instructions on my website for how to build a nifty and functional shelving system on wheels), or invest in stackable modular storage pieces. My book, Room for Improvement offers more great ideas for do-it-yourselfers. Consider hiding your office equipment in a computer armoire. Bookshelves, or even fabric panels can double as room dividers, creating a separate area for client meetings.

Finally, remember that working at home is not just a lifestyle decision — it’s your business. Review your at-home productivity and profitability at six-month intervals and be prepared to make necessary adjustments. With a smoothly running home office, you can find a new job, launch a new business, or take your home-based career to the next level.

Are you putting off looking for a new, bigger place until the economy improves, your bank account is bigger or your debt is smaller? The good news is that the place you’re in probably isn’t as cramped as you think. There are lot of ways to expand without doing a full-blown renovation or addition. Here are some affordable suggestions for taking advantage of unused, or underutilized, space in your home.

IN THE KITCHEN

Make short cabinets taller by using the top of the cabinet as a shelf. Take off the old door and replace it with a 42-inch door. Lowe’s and Home Depot both sell stock cabinet doors. And Naked Kitchen Cabinet Doors (nakedkitchencabinetdoors.com) has them starting at $9.95. Cup hooks can be screwed under a cabinet or shelf to hold mugs; pot racks hold cookware; a plant hook in the ceiling holds baskets for produce and other supplies. Spice racks, adjustable sheet racks, plate racks and over-the-door racks can store everything from herbs to extra bottles of ketchup to cleaning products. Elfa door and wall storage systems are on sale now at the Container Store, with prices starting at $6.99.

IN THE BATHROOM

Replace your tiny medicine cabinet with a bigger one. Most cabinets come right out of the wall with the help of a screwdriver, and a deeper or taller one can be installed in its place. Floating shelves, available at IKEA, Home Depot and Target, offer smart, attractive storage solutions for a bathroom, especially tight spaces. They can stylishly display rolled and stacked towels, toiletries or even a pretty pyramid of toilet paper. IKEA’s “Lack” floating wall shelves start at $9.99. Baskets – the classic storage standby – can be stacked on shelves or under the sink to corral all sorts of loose items, such as a hair dryer, linens and bath products.

IN THE LIVING ROOM

Place a blanket or hope chest – easy to find at flea markets and second-hand stores or online – under your window, doubling as storage and seating with a view. There are several attractive examples, many with cedar lining, starting at $99 on eBay. Use storage cubes as a coffee table: They keep extra blankets and remote controls accessible but out of sight. Crate & Barrell sells leather versions (in green and red) for $149. Turn a book case into an office by removing two of the lower middle shelves and installing cork at the back (for tacking up important papers) and a deeper shelf that extends out to form a desk.

IN THE BEDROOM

Take advantage of the height of your closet by installing multiple shelves to hold out-of-season duds and rarely used items. Use baskets for efficient storage. And add a simple shelf 6 inches from the floor of the closet to add more surface area for your shoes. A pull-down clothing rack installed in the closet can double the space for clothing. Kitchen Source (www.kitchensource.com) sells these items for less than $125 each. Put your bed on sturdy plastic risers, available at big-box stores, to add up to 6 inches of storage space underneath. Target sells a set of four for $9.99 – if you are raising a queen or king size bed with six legs, buy two sets. A shelf installed around the perimeter of a bedroom (lower for a child’s room, higher for adults) can neatly hold artwork, collectibles, toys, books – even handbags and shoes if they look good!

See how easy that was! Now enjoy your “bigger” and more organized space. Do it Barbara’s Way!

So another new year is upon us and that “Rosy Red” paint chip didn’t quite turn out to be the color you thought it was going to be! Sometimes repainting your living room or rearranging your furniture (again!) isn’t enough to really freshen up the look of your space. However, with some imagination and a modest investment (around $500 or less) you can make dramatic changes to the appearance of your home.What better way to start the year “fresh” than with a little face lift for the home. Nothing gives quite the feeling of looking forward to a brand new year than repairing and replacing things to give your home a comfortable, clean, and organized start.

Here’s my list of top ten make-over’s – one or more will refresh tired living rooms and revamp boring kitchens and baths.

Always use my new Barbara’s Way/Isotoner gloves to make the work easier (and to protect your manicure!)

1. Kitchen facelift! You will not be able to replace your countertops with granite or marble for $500, but laminate now comes in many styles that mimic stone or look gloriously mod. You might be able to replace worn laminate with new laminate for about that price depending on the size of your kitchen. Then paint your kitchen cabinets a glossy white and add new handles and knobs. Adding new knobs are easy. All you will need is a screwdriver (or power screwdriver). There! You’ve got yourself a new look kitchen for $500!
2. Lighten up! Change the hanging fixtures and add sconces to the walls of your living room or bedroom. Depending on the cost of the fixtures, you can find replacement lighting in a new style and have it installed by a licensed electrician for about $500 per room. Check eBay for vintage versions (new wiring may be a must) or big home centers for modern looks.
3. Roll out the carpet! Cover a floor with sisal or jute cut and trimmed with a contrasting fabric to almost cover the entire floor. It’s a wall-to-wall look without the hassle. Jute and sisal rugs give your rooms a modern look, and also allow traditional Oriental rugs to stand out.
4. Fixture it! Change all fixtures in your bathroom. Mount extra shelves, and new towel bars, bathrobe hooks, shower set, and soap dish. Save on labor costs and do it yourself. At first glance, this may seem daunting especially if you have a tile wall and shower, but with the right tools it’s pretty simple. Make sure you have my 12 volt drill with variable speeds and a set of masonry drill bits – and if you don’t own one, buy one! Place heavy duty tape over the tile where you are going to drill and use toggle bolts which help strengthen and distribute the weight of what you are hanging.
5. Clean up! Regrout Bathroom Tile! If you’re like most people you’ve put this job off for too long! The best time to deal with this problem is as soon as you see cracks that indicate the wall grout has failed. Extract the existing grout by using an abrasive grout saw to remove as much grout as possible from the joint. Make sure you vacuum all debris and dust. Clean the grout with a commercial mildew remover to remove all mildew. Make sure the surface dries thoroughly. Apply the grout with a grout trowel and spread diagonally across the tile going over the area 2-3 times using your fingers where you have too
6. Replace window shades! Replace mini blinds or paper shades with bamboo or matchstick blinds. Big box stores such as Target and K-Mart sell good quality, but inexpensive versions. For $500 you can probable unify and outfit 3-4 rooms…these types of blinds never go out of style and always look chic, especially when draperies are layered over them.
7. Mirror it! Hang large mirrors in your living room or bedroom instead of art work Large mirrors bring sparkle and light into rooms, make the space feel bigger, and give it a chic, modern look. A great tip. To locate the right spot on your wall for heavier mirrors use construction paper or newspaper. Trace the mirror or picture on the paper and use tape to hang the paper on the wall. Then step back to look, so you know the exact spot and you’re not fumbling for it while holding the heavy mirror. I do it all the time!!
8. Minimize and replace! De-clutter one room – and be ruthless. Everyone usually has too much “stuff” in their rooms, not too little. Simplify, and get rid of any furniture or accessories that are broken, ugly, old, or tired. Then, bring one new piece into the room – such as a sculpture, a new rug, a fabulous pair of table lamps, a side chair, or coffee table. If you shop wisely, each of these items can be found for $500 or less.
9. Material change! Change the entire look of your rooms by replacing their drab or broken doorknobs. There are so many styles to choose from now and this is a project you can do on a weekend. Go to any home center or hardware store and pick out the style that best suits your taste. Make sure you keep all the parts organized. All you will need is a screwdriver or power screwdriver for quicker action. All the appropriate hardware usually comes with the doorknob. Remove the existing doorknob by loosening the two screws that hold the plate on (if there is one, you may have to remove the cover (usually by turning it) to get to the screws). Pull the two sides of the doorknob apart and remove it and then the two screws holding the bolt. To install the new knob, place the trim piece between the new doorknob and the door and insert the doorknob into the hole in the door. Insert the other side of the doorknob with the trim piece on the opposite side of the door making sure the two are aligned. Insert the screws and tighten. Add the covers if there are any and you’re done!
10. Stencil Painting! Cover one or more of the walls of your bedroom or living room with new paint using stenciling. This effect will make it look like you spent thousands of dollars on some fancy wallpaper. I created an elaborate looking headboard out of stenciling using great colors. It’s a project you can do on a weekend that costs less than $200 (and that included some expensive paint)! Buy the stencil for pennies at any good hardware or paint store.

Now you’re on the road to total independence!

Why not give yourself the gift of home improvement? Winter is the perfect time to catch up on seasonal projects, many of which will have you saving energy, money and/or the environment.

Cold Case - Did you know your refrigerator uses more energy than any other home appliance? And when dust , dirt and pet hair accumulate on the condenser coils (located on the back), they trap heat. Cleaning them will help your fridge run more efficiently and reduce your electricity bill. Temporarily cut off the power to the refrigerator by unplugging it or flipping it’s circuit breaker. Try Brushtech’s Refrigerator Coil Cleaning Brush, $7.99 at amazon.com

Brush Up - Thanks to new low-and no-VOC paints (volatile organic compounds make paint smell terrible and are bad for the environment), you can paint on a chilly afternoon without having to open all the windows. Sherwin-Williams Harmony line (pictured) is no-VOC, costs about $30 a gallon and comes in an array of attractive colors.

Made to order - Organizing your kitchen, bathroom and closets pays big dividends-once you know what you have and where to find it, you’re much less likely to buy things you don’t need. The Container Store sells under-bed drawers ($21.99); stacking shoe bins ($7.99); and Expand-a-Shelf kitchen cabinet shelf organizers ($3.74 to $14.99).