Home Improvement for Women

I know the economy is shaky but that doesn’t mean you need to hold off on fixing that wobbly ceiling fan. Many of us may be holding off on major home renovations for now, but don’t let basic home repairs go that long.  Allowing a small issue to become a big problem can cost you a lot in the long run.  In fact, there are a handful of home repair and renovation skills you can do yourself.  Especially these days when you may not want to pay a $100 an hour for a plumber to perform a simple fix, or shell out $1000 to a contractor for a paint job you could complete over a snowy weekend.  So here’s my list of ten “recession proof” home repairs everyone can do with a little inspiration and instruction.  Keep this column in your “everything” drawer.  You’ll save money, time, think of me and might even have some fun in the process !

Put Some Color In Your Life—Paint A Room

So simple! You need canvas drop cloths, paint roller, paint tray, paintbrush, screwdriver, a general household cleaner, spackle, a putty knife, and fine grit sandpaper.  Remove small items from the room, and take pictures off the wall. Next, move large pieces of furniture to the center of the room and cover them and the floor with drop cloths. Remove electrical switch plates and outlet covers.  Next, clean the walls thoroughly.  Use the spackling and a putty knife to repair small nail holes and nicks; when it’s dry, lightly sand with using fine grit sand paper. If you are going from a dark to a light color, you may need a coat of primer. Begin painting around all doors, windows, baseboards and the edges where your walls and ceilings meet with a paintbrush.  Then use a roller and tray to paint the walls in a W pattern.  Complete one wall at a time. Allow the first coat of paint to dry before adding a second coat, if you need one. Allow the paint to dry for at least 24 hours before hanging your pictures back on the walls.  I love Benjamin Moore’s new line of low VOC paints, Natura in yummy, soothing colors – which will be available nationwide in Spring 2009.

Furniture Is Good

Every room from time to time needs a little face lift. No need to spend any money on high prices pieces these days (really, who has it).  Instead go  room by room and start moving some pieces around. No need for fancy movers or weird plastic discs to move that armoire or couch from one side of the room to the other   Instead, use an old blanket.  Tilt one end of the piece of furniture up and place the blanket underneath.  Tilt the other end up of the piece up and pull the blanket toward you so that the piece is sitting on the blanket.  Then pull the furniture where you want it. Remove blanket in the same way you place it.  Don’t have an old blanket? Okay – visit your local Goodwill or Salvation Army and pick up an old quilt you can reserve for those Sunday afternoons when you get an itch to rearrange your living room.

Top It Off–Replace A Faucet

Before you can put that new faucet in you have to pull out the old one.  Get a basin wrench or pliers, a bucket and a new faucet. Shut off the water at the two valves under the faucet you are replacing. Open the faucet and allow it to drain and release any pressure.  Disconnect the water supply lines (place a bucket under the sink to catch anydrips).  Remove the old faucet from the sink.  Bottom mount faucets must be removed from above with pliers to loosen the nuts. Top mount faucets are held in place by nuts located underneath the sink using a basin wrench. Clean the sink area with a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water will help dissolve the buildup. Then, follow the manufacturer’s directions to install your new faucet – it should be a snap!  The Dryden line from Delta is modern, chic and affordable.

Feeling Flush-Fix a Toilet Tank Flapper 

A running toilet. It’s likely the flapper that’s causing the flap!  Replace it by turning off the water supply to the toilet and then flush to drain the water from the tank. Unclip the flapper from the base of the overflow tube, lift it out of the tank and unhook the chain connecting it to the trip lever.  Use a scrubbing sponge to clean the flush valve.  Reattach the chain to the new flapper and clip it in.  Even easier: use my new toiler repair kit to make the fix. (available in April at mass retailers)  It will include everything you need to get the job done at one low price. 

Gouge Be Gone–Fix a Scratch in a Wood Floor 

For a small scratch, apply a bit of lip balm to the area to make it disappear – it’s a contractor’s trick that solves many minor scratch problems. (This simple technique can also be used on marble and granite).  If that does not work, or the scratch is a bit longer than ½ an inch, clean the area gently with very fine steel wool then follow with paste wax, both available at any hardware store.  If that fails to hide the damage, get a stain marker that matches the color of your floor – stain markers often come in sets of three or four and are found at most hardware stores. Apply the stain carefully to the scratch and wipe it with a soft cloth. Reapply and wipe until you get the match you desire. 

The Walls Around You– Put Up A Wall 

Dividing space is much easier and less expensive than you might think.  Walls offer the most opportunity for simple yet dramatic change. Adding a wall will give you immediate results of dividing a room, expressing your style and making a space your own.  Even better wall projects are among the easiest and least expensive of all home improvement projects.  You will need a measuring tape, metal or wood studs (depending on where you live) drywall, corner beads, screws, joint compound , a power drill. Drywall sheets are very heavy so I would recommend enlisting a friend or two to help. (for exact instruction please email me at info@barbarak.com)   

Height of Style-Customize your Drapes for Pennies

Change the look and feel of your room by adding a band of fabric to the hems of any off-the-rack drapes which will give them a custom look.  It’s easy to do!  Measure the width  of your curtains and the amount of fabric length wise you would like to cover.  Then go to a fabric store and choose the fabric that best fits your style.  Sew the fabric panel to the bottom of your drapes to meet the floor for a dramatic look.  Press and hang.

Off With Its Head! 

It’s easy to make an old shower look new.  A new showerhead can perk up an old bathroom and even improve the strength of the shower flow.  Why?  Sometimes an old showerhead can get clogged or corroded and that can impact the flow of water through it.  Besides, a bright new showerhead is such an effortless and inexpensive way to transform your bathroom, especially if you want to add a massage feature.  Use pliers or your hand to twist off the old showerhead (counterclockwise) while holding the shower pipe stem.  Wrap the Teflon sealant tape two or three times around the threads at the end of the pipe stem.  Using a cloth under the pliers to protect the new showerhead fitting, screw on the new showerhead (clockwise) until tight. Stand back,  turn on the water and test for leaks.You’ve earned that hot, steamy shower—you installed yourself!

Fan Club! I know the entire economy is shaky but that’s no reason for your fan to be wobbly!  Ceiling fans are such great, low -energy way to heat and cool your home, everyone should have one!  If your fan is wobbling you can fix the problem with a few simple steps. If you think the fan problem involves a loose screw near the electrical box (located in the ceiling right above the fan’s motor), make sure to turn off the electricity at the service panel before proceeding.  Check the fan blades to see if they are loose. Tighten any and all loose screws with a Phillips head screwdriver.  Measure the distance of the blades from the ceiling.  It is important that all of the blades reside on the same plane. Hold one end of the measuring tape at the ceiling while rotating the blades manually to check the distance. If the blade is not level or an equal distance you must gently bend the blade that is out of place.  It is easier to do this step with an extra pair of hands; one person holds the fan while the other bends the blade.

Knob Appeal Replace a Doorknob Doorknobs are dual-function jewelry for your door and home.  Doorknobs come in a variety of styles and prices and they instantly spruce up the look and feel of your home.  Lever handles are easier for elderly people and children to grab, and most sets come with clear instructions on how to install them. You will need a Phillips head screwdriver, your new doorknob set with the matching strike plate. Detach the doorknob using the screwdriver by pulling out all screws once they are loose. Remove the metal strike plate.  Insert the new bolt into the door and screw it into place.  The slanted side should face the direction that the door closes.  Place the new knob trim between one new doorknob and the door, and insert the doorknob.  Insert the other knob and trim piece on the other side of the door.  Make sure the two are aligned so that the long screws hold them together.  Tighten the screws gradually, alternating sides so that each comes together uniformly. 

Do it Barbara’s Way.  It’s all you need!

In my home everyone hangs out in the kitchen. That’s one reason why I want it to be beautiful and comfortable.

Even though I’m not a great cook, investing in my kitchen is a smart financial move – I can get back between 85 percent and 10 percent of what I put into it if I ever sell my house. Still, not everyone can afford a major kitchen redo, which can cost on average around $30,000.

If you’re short on funds, or are selling your place and don’t have time for a major renovation, don’t despair. There is a lot you can do to revamp the room without busting your budget or using up a lot of valuable time. Start with your cabinets – improving them makes a great impact even in small spaces.

Consider changing the knobs on cabinet doors. Gold and brass pulls are old-school, while brushed nickel and stainless steel handles are sleek and modern. All you need is a screwdriver for a power screwdriver for even faster work). A little inspiration and a bit of time to make the switch.

If your cabinets are dark and dreary, paint them a crisp white or French blue. Make sure to wash the cabinets thoroughly with a degreasing cleanser remove the doors (number them to correspond to the cabinets so reinstalling is easier) and sand them and the cabinet fronts lightly.

Remove the dust with the a tack cloth, grimeprime with an off based primer and let everything dry overnight. The next day, start painting with a semi-or high gloss paint (these finishes allow for easier cleaning). You might need to give the cabinets two coats. Let them dry for 48 hours, then reinstall.

If you don’t have time to paint the doors, send them to a pro. For about $25 per door, they will give the doors a spray with a color of your choice. You will have to paint the cabinet fronts  – but it takes far less time than painting everything yourself.

Finally if your cabinet doors are really out of date, consider changing them. Replacing doors cost about 25  percent less than buying new cabinets. And the result is dramatic. Google “cabinet refacing” to find dealers in your area.

After you’re done, order your favorite take out and ivite your friends in to admire your handiwork.

If I can do it, so can you!

Personalize your vacation pad this summer with these touches.

It’s almost time to pack your bags and head for the beach, lake or mountains. As excited as you may be, if you plan on feeling at home in some one else’s pad – and if you want to entertain on summer weekends – you’ve got to personalize the generic decor that turns up in many summer homes.

With a little planning, there are easy ways to add your own stamp on summer fun (without breaking the terms of your lease). So, that first weekend, pack an extra bag filled with these decorating tricks, and you’ll rid your rental of that barren feel.

Inexpensive throws in summery colors – light blues, yellows and pinks can be tucked into chairs and sofas to create a bright, unified look. Coordinated pillow covers tie the room together, protect the owners furnishings – and are easily washed, too.

Enhance your rental with scented candles. They can get rid of musty odors and add life to coffee and end tables. Place a couple in the bathrooms, as well.

Dining room slip covers can add a punch of color to dreary, mismatched wooden chairs. They pack up flat, are washable and you can use them for several seasons before they start to wear out.

Fluffy towels (and lots of them!) are so much nicer than the scratchy ones the landlord leaves in the linen closet. Your own dishes, glasses, tablecloths and napkins make hosting parties more elegant. An acquaintance of mine hauls her Baccarat crystal martini glasses, china decorated with sailboats and whimsical table linens out to Martha’s Vineyard every eyar. She serves very stylish means and cocktails with them.

Fresh flowers bring life to dull decor. Always pick up a bouquet on the way out of town or at the farmer’s market when you arrive at your destination. Grace your bedrooms, bathrooms and dining table with your fresh arrangements. Also place a few potted annuals on the deck to bring color outdoors they’re bright, cheerful and easy to care for.

A few best sellers stacked up on bedside tables along with some magazines, make guest feel at home.

Place spa toiletries including luxurious French soaps, sea-salt scrubs and fragrant bubble bath and shower gels – in wicker containers for an elegant feel.

Finally don’t forget to bring your barbara k! toolkit to make simple repairs – and your barbecue tools for great outdoor cooking!

If I can do it, so can you!

Sick of spending all that money on a summer rental? Buying a summer home could be one of the best investments you’ll ever make. It was for me — not only do I love my weekend place in the Hamptons and think of it as my true home (even though I spend most of my week living and working in Manhattan), but the property has also appreciated a lot in the past few years.

Yes, you can do a lot of it yourself, but certain fix-it-up jobs are best left to the professionals.

Summer is the season when many of us feel ambitious and get the home-improvement bug. We take a week off and think we can put in a new kitchen by ourselves, or at least cover the bathroom with new tile. And why not? All those TV shows about decorating make it look easy! But what happens when you start a job and realize you don’t have the right tools to finish it? Or maybe you’ve got the toolsm but don’t know how to use them?

Or worse, what if you start doing something that looked easy – like breaking through a wall to join two rooms – and find something that complicates the job, like dry rot, termites, structural damage or “mystery” power lines? Tasks left half done stare you in the face and are nagging reminders of unfinished business. When you cannot complete a home-improvement project, you are less inclined to start another, so the best do-it-yourself projects are ones that match your skill level.

We all know that painting is an easy DIY job, but what about other more challenging tasks? Here’s my floor-to-ceiling guide to which jobs you can tackle on your own if you have beginner-to-intermediate skills, as well as those that should be left to the pros. After all, the best home-improvement projects, small or large, are the ones you complete!

FLOORING

Tiling a substantial expanse of floor with expensive, large tiles that require cutting with a wet saw should be left to the professionals. However, tiling a small bathroom floor with mossaic tile, which does not require cutting is definitely do-it-yourself able and will give a tired bathroom a fresh new look. Wood flooring should be installed  by pros, but click-in-place wood flooring – which easily covers worn vinyl, cracked tile or badly scuffed wooden floors – can be a DIY job. (It looks better than peel-and-stick vinyl tiles too.)

ELECTRICAL

Rewiring major portions of your home is something only a licensed electrician should do. On the other hand, changing out light fixtures like sconces and overhead chandeliers (which can brighten a room in more ways than one) is a DIY project that can save you hundreds in labor costs. But there are a few caveats. First, always make sure that the electricity is turned off before embarking on any wiring project, and carefully follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

PLUMBING

Installing large items like bathtubs and showers is a job for a plumber, as is adding new plumbing lines or repairing major lines that go in and out of your house. However, don’t hesitate to change the faucet fixtures in your kitchen or bath – you can even tackle changing the bathroom or kitchen sink.

Plumbing tasks like these can be easy to do if you follow manufacturer’s instructions and take it step by step. Make sure you turn off the water where you are working and have a bucket and towels nearby.

DOORS, WINDOWS & HARDWARE

Standard-sized doors are simple to replace, and you can upgrade your home by removing and hollow-core doors and using solid-core or solid-wood doors instead – especially those with raised panels or other decorative features.

When you buy door replacementsm make sure they are pre-drilled for the doorknob and hinges – this will make your life much easier. After that, it’s a matter of taking the existing door off its hinges and putting the new one on. There are many Web sites , including those of home superstores, that offer free, easy-to-follow instructions for installing doors.

Other updating options include sprucing up existing doors by changing the doorknobs – all you need is a screwdriver. The same can be done with the pulls for kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Windows are another matter altogether; they are less easy to replace and often have to be custom ordered from a fabricator. Leave those to the pros.

DEMOLITION & INSTALLATION

Most people can handle demolition. taking out built-ins, doors or even a wall by yourself before a renovation project starts can save you big bucks. So, if you plan on rebuilding, get your frustrations out and remove the kitchen cabinets. (However, don’t forget the costs to cart the garbage away.)

Installing some new cabinets yourself, however, is another story. You can run into all sorts of difficulties getting doors and shelves level unless you have really excellent carpentry skills, so that’s best left to the experts.

Follow these tips and you can become an accomplished weekend warrior.

If I can do it, So can you!