Eurekster Swicki

A lot of people consider anything to do with woodworking and home improvement to be a man's domain, but I think that stereotype has really become outdated. A Lowe's study revealed that 69% of female homeowners and homeowners-to-be are seasoned DIYers. The NPD Group reported back in 2006 that women are often the key decision-makers behind home projects as well as the ones making the purchases. This research found that 44% of all DIYers are women.

So who are some of these DIY women? Here's a few of them on the Web and what they're up to.

Continue reading "Women & Home Improvement: Hammering Away at Old Stereotypes" »

There's something very satisfying about building with your hands. Perhaps I spend too much of my day with intellectual stuff and a computer, but the tangible experience of woodworking is really fun. So, this week's post I've trolled about to find interesting woodworking ideas that may be perfect for a rainy day project or maybe a couple of rainy days.

First off, you need a good area for woodworking. It's hard to convince the wife (or perhaps husband in some cases) that a little sawdust in the living room is ever a good thing. Hopefully, you've got a garage or basement when you can cloister yourself away from raised eyebrows and children at-play. In that space, you may want to build a torsion box, which is a flat assembly table. I've linked in some instructions on how to create one.

So, you're all set to build now. What to do?

Continue reading "6 Rainy Day Woodworking Ideas" »

So you've gotten the good news. You're going to have a baby. So what should you do? Okay, so I don't know a ton about creating a nursery, but creativity and a little imagination can help out in most situations. Take, for instance, the family that used a super computer as furniture for their nursery. This popped up on Digg awhile back, and it certainly shows a whole lot of imagination.

Maybe you aren't into the techie look and don't have a spare super computer hanging around. Perhaps an eco-friendly nursery is more your style.

Continue reading "Nursery Ideas from the Babyroom Swicki" »

Owning a home is a big investment, but continuing to upgrade and invest in it can help ensure that it retains if not increases its value. Remodeling Online produced their "Cost Vs. Value" report for 2007 on the top projects for a return on investment. Here are the top ten remodeling projects by ROI.

1. 85.4% Wood deck addition--Not only does a wood deck give you a place to have barbecues and lay out in the sun, it adds value to your home.

2. 83.2% Siding replacement--This ROI percentage is based on homeowners who installed vinyl siding to their homes. You may also want to consider brick, stone, stucco, aluminum, or wood materials for your siding.

Continue reading "Find 10 Best ROI Projects With Swicki Help" »

Everyone thinks of indoor chores for their spring cleaning projects, but the exterior of the home and the yard need a little TLC too. Here are a few tips to help you put your home's best face forward along with getting the lawn and garden in shape for a great spring growth.

Removing Debris. You may have raked up all those leaves during fall clean up, but after those winter storms, there are bound to be leaves, branches, and trash that have lodged themselves in your lawn and amidst the rose bushes.

Cleaning Your Deck. For those of you with a deck, regular upkeep is important. Wood decks get worn and dried out by exposure to sunlight, temperatures changes, and general foot traffic. Cleaning it with a biodegradable deck cleaner is one step, and you may also consider resealing it as well.

Weeding. Nobody likes this one, but if you do a good job with teasing out the invasive plants now, you'll save yourself a lot of time come June. After weeding around the flowerbeds, you might consider putting down rubber mulch. It can help reduce weed growth, and it's environmentally friendly.

Window Washing. Take time to clean up the outside faces of windows to bring more light into your home. Consider using vinegar for an environmentally friendly solution to clean them up.

Tending to Outdoor Furniture. Wiping and hosing down plastic lawn furniture can be relatively simple. However, wicker furniture may need a little extra love. Use a mild oil-based soap to do the trick. Be sure to rinse frequently to keep the dirt from lodging in the crevices.

These spring cleaning tips should get you started. Soon enough, you'll be able to enjoy your outdoor space and look forward to a pleasant place to spend warm spring afternoons. Enjoy!

Are you ready to watch the Tarheels make a run at the title? Hoping that Coach K will lead Duke back to glory? Wondering who will be the next Cinderella team since George Mason University? Then, you may also be wondering how you can turn your living room into an entertainment hub for you and your buddies. Here are a few suggestions to not only catch all of the "madness" of this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament, but to do it in style.

1. Get a flat screen TV. I won't say that this will be an easy (or cheap) decision. You'll have to decide between LCD or plasma TVs, for one thing. Plus, you'll probably want to get a High Definition (HD) TV so that you can see every play with complete clarity.
2. A SMART board. A SMART board is just the way to track all the action without having to use those stinky whiteboard markers. You can also keep score on all your buddies, so everyone always knows who's leading.
3. Surround sound. Look into speakers and subwoofers to hook up to your television so that you can feel the roar of the crowd and hear the swish of the net. You may want to find out how to wire a sound system and possibly install sound-absorbing baffles.
4. Build your own home theater. Okay, this tip is for those of you who are really ready to make an investment. Start researching plans, select home theater cabinet materials, and make sure that the wife is out of the state for at least a month before she finds out what you're about to do to her living room.
5. Put the pizza guy on speed dial. Like you're going to want to drive anywhere to get food during the games? However, if there was a beer delivery guy, then that would have been the final suggestion.

Our Man Pad swicki can help you find lots of this information, and of course, if you can't quite find the right info, you can always make your own swicki. Enjoy all the games and the bracket-busting sure to come.

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  Make Yourself a Man Pad

  

Not too long ago, we created a widget for finding all the stuff you need to deck out your own man pad or man cave, if you've only got one room to work with. Whatever it may be, here are some fun ideas for what to include.

The Man Chair. Your throne is an essential element for your comfort and style. Some people like traditional leather armchairs. Some people enjoy recliners. Some dudes get a kick out of having a sheepskin bean bag chair. Heck, some guys even love those massage chairs. Personally, I like the Piedmont iChair. It's a classic leather chair with speakers built in that are compatible with portable music players.

Digital Wireless Stereo System. There's nothing like being able to place a speaker anywhere you want without tripping over a bunch of wires. One of my favorites is the Griffin Evolve Digital Wireless Stereo System into which you can snap your iPod. If any relatives are reading this, definitely add this to my Christmas list (it's not too earlier to be making one yet, is it?). Oh, and for sheer coolness, check out this clear speaker that blends into the wall.

The Gamerator. At last, a better way to merge beer with video games. I'm sure that you're tired of having to walk all the way to the fridge every time you want a beer while playing video games. With the Gamerator, a tap is installed right into the arcade style gaming machine, so while you're getting set to start the next round of Space Invaders, you can pour yourself a cold one.

HD Flat Screen Television. What else is there to say? Ya gotta have one. But if you need help installing it, check out this link.

Mission Control Center. I don't know what to call this other than a mission control center, and it's absolutely ridiculous. The Sony NHS system is an integrated system that controls movies, music, lighting, the home security system, the thermostat, and your dog's backyard digging problem. Okay, so maybe not the last one, but it does all the rest while offering features like HD, an iPod dock, 160GB music server, and a Blu-ray Disc player. Oh, you want to know the price? Well, it's 40K to 85K depending on all the installation features you want. So, it may not be quite in reach for many of us, but we can all dream can't we.

Like these ideas? Want more? Create a few searches on our Man Pad swicki, and see what you find. It may just spark your next home improvement project or add a few ideas to the wish list.

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  Make Yourself a Man Pad

  

Being environmentally-conscious is on a lot of people's minds now-a-days. The Department of Energy reports that U.S. residences create 313.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Yikes! So, to do our part, we built a swicki to help you find eco-friendly ideas and materials for your next home improvement project. Our "Creative Ideas for Green Home Improvement" swicki can help you discover info for energy efficient windows, find energy-efficient appliances, or learn about using bamboo in your next project. Feel free to comment and vote on the stuff that you think will best help reduce carbon footprints.

Going green is also on a lot of swicki builders' minds. Christoph looks to be just starting a blog, but he's already got a swicki on energy efficiency topics over at Building Physics. JeanneP at Offgrid Desert Living has a swicki on renewable energy sources. If you take a stroll over to Greennetizen (kinda like Green Internet Citizen smushed together), you'll see Martie's "Eco-Friendly" swicki. She's focusing on a broad array of stuff such as being a green consumer as well as finding information on global warming.

Oh, and if you're interested in learning more about the carbon topic, check out Curt Rosengren's The Sustainable Future blog post called "How to find the best carbon offsets." It's a little extra food for thought.

Everyone can do their part for helping the environment, even a swicki.

Because the housing market has been so poor, some people may choose to invest in their homes to beat the housing slump and shore up the value of their biggest asset. Remodeling magazine's "Cost vs. Value Report 2007" reports that a minor kitchen remodel remains one of the top three renovations for return on investment, giving homeowners a solid 83% ROI. So if you're ready to swing the hammer and work the saw, here are ten ideas and links to do-it-yourself information from our swickis for your next kitchen remodeling project.

1. Reface kitchen cabinets. Updating worn out cabinet faces can refresh and update the whole room. Much cheaper than replacing the cabinets, this project can keep your costs down while giving your kitchen a new lease on life.
2. Install a new faucet and sink. While you're figuring out if you want a farmhouse sink, vessel sink, or other type of sink, consider buying a faucet with a water aerator. The aerator injects bubbles into the water to maintain the water pressure while reducing overall water usage.
3. Replace kitchen countertops. Laminate, tile, stainless steel, and granite countertops are just a couple types to consider.
4. Install energy efficient appliances. Installing a new energy-efficient cook top, wall oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, or other kitchen appliance can save money as well as add value to your home. According to Energy Star, an eco-friendly dishwasher can use "41% less energy than the Federal minimum standard."
5. Add a kitchen island. Installing a kitchen island in your work triangle can help you flow through meal preparations. Consider making the countertop a butcher block counter so that you have a ready space in which to prepare food.
6. Replace old flooring. Tile, wood, concrete, and cork flooring are a few popular choices. Even linoleum is making a comeback because of some eco-friendly properties, according to HGTV.
7. Redo the backsplash. Perhaps water splashing from the sink and splatter from numerous mealtime preparations has stained parts of the backsplash. Perhaps it just looks dated. Replacing it can clean up and refresh the look of the kitchen.
8. Replace the cabinets. If refacing doesn't go far enough or there is structural damage to the cabinets, you may consider replacing them entirely. This can also be a chance to change the whole design and look of the kitchen. You could go for the sleek look of a contemporary style or create a warm atmosphere with a country design. Be sure to check on building permits for a big project.
9. Repaint/replace trim and wall coverings. Some new color or new trim can subtly emphasize different aspects to your kitchen.
10. Change out pulls and handles. Installing new handles, hinges, and pulls is a relatively simple task that can add a little extra luster to your kitchen.

An investment in your kitchen looks to remain one of the top ways to add value to your home. So fire up the miter saw, and get those design plans started.

Your roommate barely can keep the laundry piles from overflowing into the walkway and the concept of a coaster is clearly beyond his grasp. But with a little info from our DIY swickis, these quick projects are things that even he'll have trouble messing up.

1. Add lighting
2. Unclog the tub
3. Tighten loose cabinet handles
4. Repaint baseboard
5. Toss in a throw rug or three
6. Fix a faucet leak
7. Install a magnetic kitchen knife holder

1. If you're tired of living in a cave, then it's time for a lighting project. Multiply a room's length by its width and then by 1.5. You'll have a number that should be roughly equivalent to the number of watts that you'll need to illuminate the room. If that number is 300 watts, you'll need at least 5 60-watt light bulbs to get the right amount of lighting.

2. Tired of standing in a half an inch of water during your shower? Don't worry. Using a drain cleaner is simple. It really just involves pouring some goo down the drain and then pouring water down about 15 minutes later. Plus, there are now eco-friendly drain cleaners that you can use to lessen the impact on the environment.

3. Some of your cabinet handles feel like they're going to come out with the next tug. A Philips or flat-head screw driver and some elbow grease may be all you need to fix it with a few turns to the right (remember righty tighty and lefty loosey). In some cases, you may need new screws or handles, which can be found at a hardware store.

4. The baseboard running around the wall bottoms has had its share of stuff rubbed against it, dropped on it, and kicked into it. Hand your roommate a paint brush and bucket and lay down some plastic or newspaper to protect the surface underneath it while painting it up.

5. You'll want to make sure that your roommate has some sense of color, but adding a few throw rugs to your abode can offer a splash of color and hide that awful coke stain in the middle of the living room.

6. Drip. Drip. Drip. Enough's enough. Take the Xbox controller out of your roommate's hand and replace it with a wrench. In most cases, all you'll have to do is a replace an o-ring in the faucet. Either that, or put a wash cloth under the drip. Then the sound will be splot, splot, splot. But at least it'll be different.

7. Having stray knives floating around the kitchen is making you nervous, so it's never been a better time to install a magnetic kitchen knife holder. Plus, magnets are cool. Find a wall stud or install some mollies to hang up the new knife holder.

Hopefully, your apartment will be looking ship-shape before long. And if this goes well, maybe you'll have some ambition for bigger projects. You may even have some fun working together as you turn your place into a home.

Whether you're a city-dweller in a cramped condo, college student in a tiny dorm room, or just a homeowner stuck in a small house, you know that space is precious. We've got a couple ideas to help you maximize the use of your space or at least make it all look bigger.

1. Mirror, mirror on the wall. Mirrors create the illusion of having more space. Think about hanging a mirror or two in rooms that feel a bit too close for comfort. It should have you breathing easy soon enough.
2. Closet space to the max. Cubbies for shoes can keep the footgear from becoming unmanageable. Depending on the layout, adding shelving can also reduce closet clutter.
3. Divide and conquer. A well placed divider can be a trendy statement along with an easy way to create different spaces. For a studio apartment, a divider can make privacy for a sleeping area and allow the living room to have its own design and energy.
4. Smart storage. That space under a stairway could be a place for a storage bin. Because they're recessed, knee-wall cabinets in an attic room take advantage of the space behind the wall. Lastly, blind corner cabinets let you use almost every square inch in the corners of your kitchen.
5. Keep it under the sheets...er, the bed. Roll-out storage bins allow you to use the space beneath your bed and keep it organized at the same time.
6. Double duty. A futon, hide-a-bed, or open-frame day bed lets you create a space for active use during the day and gives you a place to lay your noggin at night.

That's the list, ladies and gents. Hopefully, it'll help you find a little more breathing space to enjoy your home.

There is plenty of information on the web that can help you with your next home improvement project. From projects small to large, from basic woodworking to creative green building, we've created 5 custom search widgets that will give you access to all kinds of do-it-yourself information and resources.

These widgets take you directly to customized search engines that favor content from proven information sources. In addition, anyone can use these search engines to share their own experiences from their last project.

These widgets also add easily to start pages like Google, or to any social network or blog.

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  Easy Woodworking Projects for the Non-Carpenter

  

  Popular Search: Beginner Woodworking Projects

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  Creative Ideas for Green Home Improvement

  

  Popular Search: Environmentally Friendly Designs

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  DIY Projects for Parents

  

  Popular Search: Design a Nursery Room

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  Make Yourself a Man Pad

  

  Popular Search: Hook up HDTV

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  Home Repairs Any Gal Can Do

  

  Popular Search: Laundry Room Remodeling