Home Depot is offering rebates on a variety of their paints up until 30 May 2011. From $5. off per gallon container up to $20. per 5-gallon pail.
To make it easier, they even have automated the process where all information is entered on-line, as opposed to having to clip UPCs from labels, filling out paper forms, including original receipt and mailing an envelope: http://www.homedepotrebates.com .
Super deal if you are in the process of renovation project(s) or are looking for a quick decorating change for a room. I ended up with interior trim and wall paints, as well as porch and floor paint.
When it comes time to decide upon colors for the walls, I will bring the cans of base paint back to the store and have them add the appropriate tints and shake the paint can(s).
Once again, in terms of project inventory, I am planning ahead and happy to save $5. per gallon. Yes, every bit helps with the bottom line.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wire and Cable Harnessing
In the information technology (IT) field there are millions of miles of cables that technicians and engineers need to manage and keep neat and tidy. The most widely used method is tie wraps or zip ties. Tie wraps or zip ties require threading an eye in one end of the tie with the opposite end and then pulling taught and many times clipping the extra tail off to finsh the cable bundle.
The Con: At a later date, if you want to add a cable or remove, etc. it will require clippers to remove the old tie and adding a new tie and clipping off the tail.
I confess, I have tried using ties at home and they have a utility in certain instances. But, when it comes to home wire and cable harnessing that requires adjustments periodically. Or just plain organizing extra wires, cables and extension cords, I have found a Velcro Brand product that I strongly recommend.
Velcro makes reusable ties for wires and cords that comes in a two (2) roll pack with a total of fifty (50) straps (8" x 1/2"). Same design concept as a tie or zip wrap, but with greater flexability and reusable. Cost is roughly $5. for the pack of fifty (50) and they can be found at your local building supply stores.
What is nice about this product from Velcro is that it is a scaled down thinner material and loops than regualr Velcro products. Not as fuzzy or with the visable hooks like the standard product.
If you are looking to color code and Just bundle cables, try a dollar store. They might carry Relayer Electronics, Self Attaching Cable Ties. These come in a package of eight (8) and the dimensions areL 6.75" x 0.62". I have found these in Huntsville, AL, as well as Northern Virginia, DC Metro area. Cost is $1. a pack. (These are the Velcro knock off with the visable fuzz and large hook loops. Plus each tie has a small black loop at the end of each that I imagine one could attatch a hang tag to for identification of length of cable or something of that nature.
Slowly, but surely working on my boxes and drawers of wires, cables and extension cords cleaning up the inventory. Plus, tidying up area such as lamp electrical wires removing the excess length and making nice little bundles. The tiny little things that can make a difference in a home environment.
When you have a moment, peruse the Velcro.com web site to see what other inventive products they have, such as plant ties and carpet protector.
Cheers!
The Con: At a later date, if you want to add a cable or remove, etc. it will require clippers to remove the old tie and adding a new tie and clipping off the tail.
I confess, I have tried using ties at home and they have a utility in certain instances. But, when it comes to home wire and cable harnessing that requires adjustments periodically. Or just plain organizing extra wires, cables and extension cords, I have found a Velcro Brand product that I strongly recommend.
Velcro makes reusable ties for wires and cords that comes in a two (2) roll pack with a total of fifty (50) straps (8" x 1/2"). Same design concept as a tie or zip wrap, but with greater flexability and reusable. Cost is roughly $5. for the pack of fifty (50) and they can be found at your local building supply stores.
What is nice about this product from Velcro is that it is a scaled down thinner material and loops than regualr Velcro products. Not as fuzzy or with the visable hooks like the standard product.
If you are looking to color code and Just bundle cables, try a dollar store. They might carry Relayer Electronics, Self Attaching Cable Ties. These come in a package of eight (8) and the dimensions areL 6.75" x 0.62". I have found these in Huntsville, AL, as well as Northern Virginia, DC Metro area. Cost is $1. a pack. (These are the Velcro knock off with the visable fuzz and large hook loops. Plus each tie has a small black loop at the end of each that I imagine one could attatch a hang tag to for identification of length of cable or something of that nature.
Slowly, but surely working on my boxes and drawers of wires, cables and extension cords cleaning up the inventory. Plus, tidying up area such as lamp electrical wires removing the excess length and making nice little bundles. The tiny little things that can make a difference in a home environment.
When you have a moment, peruse the Velcro.com web site to see what other inventive products they have, such as plant ties and carpet protector.
Cheers!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Huh? Am I Being Followed?
Has anyone else ever experienced someone watching them while they shop and actually commenting on what you have in your basket as choices.
Not such a bad thing, as in a sense it is a compliment. But, twice, I have been approached when in a consignment shop or thrift store and the person in question has asked to buy an item that caught their eye.
The couple at the register:
When I had the first approach, The cashier and I were being told a story about Hurricane Katrina and how they lived in New Orleans; were up visiting their son and trying to re-establish their household. She said she used to have a pillow just like the wool crewel work one with roses that I was purchasing. "I spent so long making that pillow and really would like to have that one".
In brief, I thought she was giving a performance and using Hurricane Katrina to make people feel sorry for her and give her a deal on whatever it was they were going to purchase. So, I listened with caution and wasn't about to fall into their trap and was hoping that the cashier wouldn't either.
Interesting to watch them play out their hurricane survivor role or should I say, watch her act. She's aiming for this floral needle work pillow with a matching velvet back, for whatever purpose, thinking it is worth much more and offering me more in front of the cashier.
Me, I have already unzipped the cover and realize it is handmade. But, sold by Pottery Barn ;)
Yeah, you have to smile and just play along.
She ended up offering me approximently $15 over what I was paying for the pillow. To which I responded, "No, I really like the pillow and was glad that she did, as well. But, I am keeping it for myself."
Recently, I was in a store and this one woman was eyeing what I had and commenting on my finds and what a good eye I had.
She didn't just stop there. She continued to comment on other items I added to the basket and followed me when I went to ask the cashier pricing on a couple of items that did not have price tags. She whispered something to me as I was standing there and I wasn't able to make out what she was saying and just ignored her.
While standing waiting for the cashier to return with pricing, she told me she particularly liked this large older piece of upholstery material that didn't have a price and was eager to find out how much it was being sold for and where I picked it up.
I told her it was in an old bureau or narrow set of drawers along with other rags and scraps of cloth out in front of the store.
Cashier gave me a a price and sure enough, the admirer walked outside to check the drawers of the furniture for sale outdoors.
What I found odd with this experience is that it was a while before I checked out, as I continued to shop, after the cashier gave me pricing on items without tags. When I did check out, I was surprised that the woman followed me and approached me outside the shop with a story about how she had that exact same fabric at home and would love to have a matching piece and would pay me $25 for it.
Ironically, both times I have been approached, the items have had a rose pink background and floral pattern.
Sometimes, I am caught off guard and don't know what to say. But, I quickly replied that I wasn't interested in selling and already had plans to use it to cover a sofa and walked away.
Heck, now not only do I have to guard those one of a kind items, as if left in basket or on the counter, I often have to stop other shoppers from walking off with the prized items I have found and am going to purchase. Now, I have to also be prepared to say "NO" in a polite and tactful way to other customers that want what I have.
I just got a flashback of the man in business attire that approached me in a woman's lingerie department years ago. But, that is another story.
Hint to the wise, when leaving a store, try and take notice of who is following you.
Update - 29 May 2011 - Encore!
It happened again this week. I was at the register ready to check out and had items neatly folded in my basket. An elderly lady that was in front of me asking the sales rep for assistance on a price turned around and saw a pair of hand made, heavy upholstery fabric drapery panels that I was purchasing. She immediately dove into my basket and picked up a panel and started to unfold it and oh and ah about how nice it was. Plus rattling along about how she made a laundry bag out of some similar fabric and was offered $20 for it by someone who saw her with it.
I am beginning to find some humor in this re-occurrence.
Not such a bad thing, as in a sense it is a compliment. But, twice, I have been approached when in a consignment shop or thrift store and the person in question has asked to buy an item that caught their eye.
The couple at the register:
When I had the first approach, The cashier and I were being told a story about Hurricane Katrina and how they lived in New Orleans; were up visiting their son and trying to re-establish their household. She said she used to have a pillow just like the wool crewel work one with roses that I was purchasing. "I spent so long making that pillow and really would like to have that one".
In brief, I thought she was giving a performance and using Hurricane Katrina to make people feel sorry for her and give her a deal on whatever it was they were going to purchase. So, I listened with caution and wasn't about to fall into their trap and was hoping that the cashier wouldn't either.
Interesting to watch them play out their hurricane survivor role or should I say, watch her act. She's aiming for this floral needle work pillow with a matching velvet back, for whatever purpose, thinking it is worth much more and offering me more in front of the cashier.
Me, I have already unzipped the cover and realize it is handmade. But, sold by Pottery Barn ;)
Yeah, you have to smile and just play along.
She ended up offering me approximently $15 over what I was paying for the pillow. To which I responded, "No, I really like the pillow and was glad that she did, as well. But, I am keeping it for myself."
Recently, I was in a store and this one woman was eyeing what I had and commenting on my finds and what a good eye I had.
She didn't just stop there. She continued to comment on other items I added to the basket and followed me when I went to ask the cashier pricing on a couple of items that did not have price tags. She whispered something to me as I was standing there and I wasn't able to make out what she was saying and just ignored her.
While standing waiting for the cashier to return with pricing, she told me she particularly liked this large older piece of upholstery material that didn't have a price and was eager to find out how much it was being sold for and where I picked it up.
I told her it was in an old bureau or narrow set of drawers along with other rags and scraps of cloth out in front of the store.
Cashier gave me a a price and sure enough, the admirer walked outside to check the drawers of the furniture for sale outdoors.
What I found odd with this experience is that it was a while before I checked out, as I continued to shop, after the cashier gave me pricing on items without tags. When I did check out, I was surprised that the woman followed me and approached me outside the shop with a story about how she had that exact same fabric at home and would love to have a matching piece and would pay me $25 for it.
Ironically, both times I have been approached, the items have had a rose pink background and floral pattern.
Sometimes, I am caught off guard and don't know what to say. But, I quickly replied that I wasn't interested in selling and already had plans to use it to cover a sofa and walked away.
Heck, now not only do I have to guard those one of a kind items, as if left in basket or on the counter, I often have to stop other shoppers from walking off with the prized items I have found and am going to purchase. Now, I have to also be prepared to say "NO" in a polite and tactful way to other customers that want what I have.
I just got a flashback of the man in business attire that approached me in a woman's lingerie department years ago. But, that is another story.
Hint to the wise, when leaving a store, try and take notice of who is following you.
Update - 29 May 2011 - Encore!
It happened again this week. I was at the register ready to check out and had items neatly folded in my basket. An elderly lady that was in front of me asking the sales rep for assistance on a price turned around and saw a pair of hand made, heavy upholstery fabric drapery panels that I was purchasing. She immediately dove into my basket and picked up a panel and started to unfold it and oh and ah about how nice it was. Plus rattling along about how she made a laundry bag out of some similar fabric and was offered $20 for it by someone who saw her with it.
I am beginning to find some humor in this re-occurrence.
Cleaning Older or Antique Linens
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| Left to Right: As purchased yellowed & stained. New white linen tucked underneath as reference. Cleaned napkin and matching table cloth. |
Amazed at the time and craftsmanship that used to be put into a piece like this and used as a part of everyday dining.
Of course, those linens that were heavily used developed stains and turned yellow over the years. One has to wonder how much the heavy duty use of starch to stiffen and press the linens smooth contributed to the setting in of stains and discoloration.
Purchasing these items can be a bit of a gamble and if you are looking for perfection you may find yourself sorely disappointed.
I have read of a number of different methods for cleaning linens. One of the more popular published methods is natural fresh lemon juice squeezed onto the stain and then allow the item to set in the hot sun prior to washing.
You can learn from experience or take my word for it. Never, ever use full strength clorhine bleach to clean linens. If the holes and damage doesn't appear right away, just wait and don't be surprised when little pin holes first appear and gradually increase in size each time you use and wash thereafter.
One of my favorite products is oxygen cleaner such as Oxyiclean. Though, I have found that the not so famous brands and those similar products sold in the dollar stores are dead on equivalents in their ability to clean and brighten.
I recently discovered that Dollar General carries a half gallon, liquid refill jug and that has become my new favorite in my laundry room.
The powders work well. Though, I'd recommend dissolving in a cup of hot or warm water prior to pouring into the wash water, as it can take some time for the powdered versions to dissolve.
When cleaning, one of the things I have learned is to have some patience and take my time. That includes not throwing delicate items into the washing machine and having great expectations as to the results in 30 minutes time.
For items such as the linens shown I slowly cleaned them over a 4 day period. Starting out with saturating the heavily started material with water in the bath tub. Draining the water and then refilling and adding oxygen cleaner to the fresh hot water bath.
I let them soak a day and ended up with a dark yellow water.
Time to drain and press out the excess water. Then rinse and start all over with another soak using the hot water and oxygen cleaner.
On the third day, the process is repeated with the addition of a very small amount of diluted chlorine bleach to the water.
Fourth day, drain, rinse, transfer to a bucket or a wash basin you can carry and transfer the linens to the washing machine for a delicate cycle wash with regular laundry detergent.
Once the machine stops, you can either remove and iron immediately, as it is easier to iron linen while it is wet. Or in my case, I folded them up and will go through that process in the future, prior to use.
Crystal Chandeliers - Just Brilliant!
Growing up around antiques and older furniture made me sway towards more contemporary and modern, simple lines of furnishings and decorations, once I was of age and could make decisions about my own decor.
Now, look at me... Swaying back to the other direction, I am finding beauty again and again in the detail of more complex pieces, carvings and patterns, etc.
One of the items that I often search for when I am surfing my local craigslist.org site is "chandelier". I came across this 18 light, crystal and glass chandelier back in early April.
The photographs are showing it in the owners newly redecorated dining room. This was one of the final items to be removed prior to the new light they had purchased being installed and the ceiling being patched and repainted.
It took a couple of trips to procure this item. One to view and make a commitment and another follow-up days later to pay and pick-up the chandelier and the plaster medallion.
I am not sure if the medallion will work on the textured and vaulted ceiling of my living room. But, it might find a second life elsewhere, such as the adjoining dining room, as I am now in search of another much smaller scale and similar chandelier for that space (open to the living room).
This will not get installed right away, as the basement project is still in process and moving along well. But, slowly. That takes precedence at the moment.
It took an entire evening removing the crystals and the individual candle bowls from under each light fixture and cleaning them. I am certain it might take just as long or longer to re-install. But, for now the pieces are clean and stored away ready for installation.
Little factoid, this house built in 1983 does not have overhead lights in a majority of the rooms. Mrs. O'Dea must have elected not to have them installed in lieu of using table lamps.
Personally, far too dark for me and when the sun goes down it makes me very sleepy..
Now, look at me... Swaying back to the other direction, I am finding beauty again and again in the detail of more complex pieces, carvings and patterns, etc.
One of the items that I often search for when I am surfing my local craigslist.org site is "chandelier". I came across this 18 light, crystal and glass chandelier back in early April.
It took a couple of trips to procure this item. One to view and make a commitment and another follow-up days later to pay and pick-up the chandelier and the plaster medallion.
I am not sure if the medallion will work on the textured and vaulted ceiling of my living room. But, it might find a second life elsewhere, such as the adjoining dining room, as I am now in search of another much smaller scale and similar chandelier for that space (open to the living room).
This will not get installed right away, as the basement project is still in process and moving along well. But, slowly. That takes precedence at the moment.
It took an entire evening removing the crystals and the individual candle bowls from under each light fixture and cleaning them. I am certain it might take just as long or longer to re-install. But, for now the pieces are clean and stored away ready for installation.
Little factoid, this house built in 1983 does not have overhead lights in a majority of the rooms. Mrs. O'Dea must have elected not to have them installed in lieu of using table lamps.
Personally, far too dark for me and when the sun goes down it makes me very sleepy..
Spring 2011 Flowers - Peonies
The house across the street, from where I grew up had a full row of peonies that bordered the edge of yard. Huge, fragrant blooms each year were always a wonderful treat and a true sign that summer time was getting that much closer.
The friend that lived in that house as a child, tells me she truly misses the quantity and the beauty of that row of flowers.
Can you imagine a 40 foot row of these densely packed flowers blooming in your yard?
I was chatting on-line with her and can only think that one of the previous residents (rental) of the house in their travel to the orient must have brought back a bounty of the rhizomes from one of their trips, as the attic above the garage had a vintage stash of oriental treasures that every now and then we'd get a glimpse of.
If I can figure out how to successfully move and propagate these plants, I will let you all know at a later date. For now, I am just enjoying the wonderful aroma of these in my bedroom.
Remaining positive
Up close, I realized that it was a pile of ornamental angels, gilded in gold that could be used to decorate a garden. Enmass they were negative and then when I moved closer to inspect and saw the reflections of lights and shadows and the cherub faces they took on a positive glow.
Even this photo below with the one figure broken has beauty and the fact that they are fully dressed in shorts and shirts can put a smile on your face.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Basement Bathroom Project - Phase I cont. sink faucet choices
Any opinions or other options that anyone would like to suggest for a single hole faucet in chrome to go with the Kohler Memoir pedestal sink shown below:
I like the style of the above faucet. My only concern is that it is listed as a "vessel" faucet and I worry that it might be too high for mounting on a sink. Though, it is shown mounted over a sink and not a raised "vessel sink".
I also like this similar "kitchen" faucet that includes the hose sprayer, but not the soap dispenser. I imagine the sprayer could be attached off to the side wall on a block of marble or tile, etc. Nice to have a hand held sprayer to rinse items off and to fill a container with water, etc.
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| Chrome Baltimore Faucet available @ Overstock.com |
I also like this similar "kitchen" faucet that includes the hose sprayer, but not the soap dispenser. I imagine the sprayer could be attached off to the side wall on a block of marble or tile, etc. Nice to have a hand held sprayer to rinse items off and to fill a container with water, etc.
Basement Bathroom Project - Phase I cont. floor tile
Since the original Florida Tile, 4"x4" tile can not be replaced, I believe that I am going to replace it with some Silestone 12"x12" tiles in Blanco Maple that I purchased about 4 years ago.
Yes, 4 years ago!
Saw them. Liked them. The price was right (just about held my heart still when I realized they now cost almost $15. per square foot tile) and bought the 3 or 4 boxes that the store had just as one purchases a dress they like. As the occasion to wear will eventually arrive.
Basement bathroom floor area is roughly 26 square feet. Let's pray that none of the tile gets damaged, as I have approx. 35 tiles total.
One more gravitation from what I had originally envisioned for the basement bathroom shifting and changing. Glad that I already had the tile, as my other choice would have been white Italian marble tile; which I don't have in my "inventory" of building materials.
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| http://www.silestoneusa.com/colors/ |
Yes, 4 years ago!
Saw them. Liked them. The price was right (just about held my heart still when I realized they now cost almost $15. per square foot tile) and bought the 3 or 4 boxes that the store had just as one purchases a dress they like. As the occasion to wear will eventually arrive.
Basement bathroom floor area is roughly 26 square feet. Let's pray that none of the tile gets damaged, as I have approx. 35 tiles total.
One more gravitation from what I had originally envisioned for the basement bathroom shifting and changing. Glad that I already had the tile, as my other choice would have been white Italian marble tile; which I don't have in my "inventory" of building materials.
Guest Bedroom - Toilet Seat
You know you are not jaded when replacing an old, original 1983 Briggs toilet seat with the support feet broken off and for some reason suffering from a poor paint job is replaced.
Yes, that is what I did the other night. Replaced it with a new Bemis elongated bowl toilet seat. What a difference it makes in the appearance of the bathroom. Plus, future guest won't be wondering "Why the hell doesn't she just replace this crappy old toilet seat".
For those of you that have never replaced a toilet seat. It is easy, easy, easy. Big plastic screws and oversized plastic wing nut like hardware.
Check this task off of the never ending list!
Yes, that is what I did the other night. Replaced it with a new Bemis elongated bowl toilet seat. What a difference it makes in the appearance of the bathroom. Plus, future guest won't be wondering "Why the hell doesn't she just replace this crappy old toilet seat".
For those of you that have never replaced a toilet seat. It is easy, easy, easy. Big plastic screws and oversized plastic wing nut like hardware.
Check this task off of the never ending list!
Half Bath - Lighting
The half bath, on the first floor of O'Dea-O'Dea was all original hardware up until a week and a half ago when I replaced the toilet. The old Briggs toilet actually had a bowl and tank that had the 1983 stamps on them. But, I wonder if Mrs. O'Dea-O'Dea never noticed the difference in colors between the two pieces or if the tank was replaced at a later date. White bowl and off-white tank. Lovely.... Plus, in spite of replacing the internal hardware back in early 2009, the toilet was intermittent with its desire to flush.
It was replaced with an American Standard toilet and at first I thought the internal workings were malfunctioning and thank God, it was just a matter of slight manipulation to get it working properly.
The floor needs to totally be pulled up, as a water leak from the bath above years or decades ago pooled in the half bath floor and warped the sub floor and lifted the tile towards the wall. A project for another time.
For now, I am just trying to freshen and lighten up the bath a bit. Items such as the builders bronze vanity light clashes violently with Mrs. O'Dea-O'Dea's metallic Asian print wall paper. Some may say the paper has to go. But, personally, I think it is just grand! Brushed silver with white bamboo designs.
The light is going to be replaced with a Quorum Ashton Vanity Light in Satin Nickel. Another piece that has a couple of small parts that I have the manufacturer researching the replacement finials or what I refer to as "screw balls". The lighting fixture is missing two of the three and they are rather large and matching Satin Nickle, so they are not easy to replace via a lighting or hardware store.
Another dilemma is the brushed/satin nickle accessories (toilet paper holder, towel ring and towel bars) have round hardware and when I removed the builder's old chrome hardware discovered that the wall paper was cut around the perimeter of the wall mounts and therefore, there are bare spaces on the wall that I have to find a solution for in terms of cover-up.
Any suggestions?
It was replaced with an American Standard toilet and at first I thought the internal workings were malfunctioning and thank God, it was just a matter of slight manipulation to get it working properly.
The floor needs to totally be pulled up, as a water leak from the bath above years or decades ago pooled in the half bath floor and warped the sub floor and lifted the tile towards the wall. A project for another time.
For now, I am just trying to freshen and lighten up the bath a bit. Items such as the builders bronze vanity light clashes violently with Mrs. O'Dea-O'Dea's metallic Asian print wall paper. Some may say the paper has to go. But, personally, I think it is just grand! Brushed silver with white bamboo designs.
The light is going to be replaced with a Quorum Ashton Vanity Light in Satin Nickel. Another piece that has a couple of small parts that I have the manufacturer researching the replacement finials or what I refer to as "screw balls". The lighting fixture is missing two of the three and they are rather large and matching Satin Nickle, so they are not easy to replace via a lighting or hardware store.
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| Quorum, Ashton Vanity Light in Satin Nickel |
Another dilemma is the brushed/satin nickle accessories (toilet paper holder, towel ring and towel bars) have round hardware and when I removed the builder's old chrome hardware discovered that the wall paper was cut around the perimeter of the wall mounts and therefore, there are bare spaces on the wall that I have to find a solution for in terms of cover-up.
Any suggestions?
Basement Bathroom Project - Phase I cont. sink
Prior to starting the bathroom remodel, I purchased a new white carerra counter top with white porcelain sink in a 19"x25" dimension from a contractor (via Craigslist.org). I was quite certain that this was what I was going to find a cabinet vanity for and have installed in the basement bathroom.
Within the last week, I found a 1930's, white porcelain on cast iron wall sink and matching pedestal built by Standard in excellent condition as well as a nice 8" spread chrome on brass faucet set. On the same shopping trip, I found two old porcelain pull chain vanity light fixtures and an old metal and beveled mirrored medicine chest with original glass handle.
This was in my quest for a higher quality chrome faucet set for the marble bath vanity and the "find" ended up shifting my thinking and direction on my design to more of a retro look.
Less than a week later and I am out again and stumble across a really beautiful square Kohler Memoirs sink and in the back of the shop with all of the other odds and ends I noticed that one of the pedestals looked similar. But, one of the workers told me it was from another sink that had broken and had been thrown out.
Low and behold, I contacted Kohler this afternoon and by chance they are a set! Sweet! They have already forwarded me installation instructions, as well as have placed the wall mounting hardware on order for me. (http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/115740_4.pdf pdf instructions and dimensions)
Having been on the search for an 8" spread chrome faucet set, I don't think it will be too difficult for me to make a choice on a single hole chrome set. Already have a couple of styles that are for sale on Overstock.com that I believe would suit the style of this sink and not break the bank.
Within the last week, I found a 1930's, white porcelain on cast iron wall sink and matching pedestal built by Standard in excellent condition as well as a nice 8" spread chrome on brass faucet set. On the same shopping trip, I found two old porcelain pull chain vanity light fixtures and an old metal and beveled mirrored medicine chest with original glass handle.
This was in my quest for a higher quality chrome faucet set for the marble bath vanity and the "find" ended up shifting my thinking and direction on my design to more of a retro look.
Less than a week later and I am out again and stumble across a really beautiful square Kohler Memoirs sink and in the back of the shop with all of the other odds and ends I noticed that one of the pedestals looked similar. But, one of the workers told me it was from another sink that had broken and had been thrown out.
Low and behold, I contacted Kohler this afternoon and by chance they are a set! Sweet! They have already forwarded me installation instructions, as well as have placed the wall mounting hardware on order for me. (http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/115740_4.pdf pdf instructions and dimensions)
Having been on the search for an 8" spread chrome faucet set, I don't think it will be too difficult for me to make a choice on a single hole chrome set. Already have a couple of styles that are for sale on Overstock.com that I believe would suit the style of this sink and not break the bank.
Basement Bathroom Project - Phase I
The basement bathroom project got started following the completion of the floor tile installation in the bedroom and laundry/utility room.
Let me tell you, I was not prepared or ready for the project to start. But, the man I had doing the other work told me he had another job coming up, so I decided to have him remove the old bath tub, sink and toilet and wall board in the shower area that had been exposed to water over the years.
Rather interesting to see him cut the metal tub in two and for me to be able to carry a half at torso height without issue.
Surprises never cease. the waste disposal company, I am contracted with actually took the tub pieces. I guess, it falls within the size and weight limitations once cut in half.
The toilet and sink, were donated. I hope someone else can at least use them for parts.
Things have not gone smoothly with the worker. For one, he was insisting that a harder backing board was not required behind the shower wall tile. Just "green" board.
Thank you, Home Depot staff for knowing the correct answer to that construction issue.
Yes, one should use a cement type board such as Hardie board behind tile and an area that is exposed to moisture.
At that point, I thought things would go well.
Not...
He and his co-worker "cut" the board (it should be scored and snapped) smaller than the wall area that is being recovered by tile and then proceeded to adhere tile to the wall without using the fiberglass tape and adhesive to fill the gaps.
I am talking about gaps large enough for me to put my fingers into!
At one point, I went downstairs to check on progress and he had put up an off-white/cream colored tile along with the white tile.
"What's with that tile?"
God help us. There were a handful of pieces in the box of new tile and he doesn't have enough common sense to stop and let me know that he's out of tile and that there is this other tile in the box.
Of course, I told him to remove it.
In brief, he got upset and in his fit somehow managed to chip the new tub, as well as scratch it.
Talk about inappropriate behaviors. He then took some white appliance paint I had downstairs for repainting the air vents and did a piss poor job of spray painting his damage.
I even inquired before he left that day as to what the chemical odor was and he ignored me.
Low and behold, when I went to admire the new tub up close. The spray paint was still sticky and had drips running down the inside of the tub.
Long story short - The tub was removed and I ended up purchasing a better quality Kohler cast iron and porcelain tub. It took them almost two days to get that tub connected to the drain. He told me it was finally connected and fine. Checked later and the drain isn't fine. Requires being manually held up for the water to drain.
As for the tile... It isn't readily available in stores. I had to travel about 45 minutes away to a tile showroom to identify the existing tile and the closest current match requires special order.
Yes, Mr. Worker smashed all of the tile to take the tub out without ever inquiring as to source of replacement tile, etc.
Plus, he did the same for the line of tile on the floor and that is no longer available and there are no like substitutes.
My newer neighbors are nice enough to let me gut their master bathroom of the 25 year old wall tile, as they are planning to renovate.
The floor, it appears will have to totally come up and be replaced.
Stay tuned....
Let me tell you, I was not prepared or ready for the project to start. But, the man I had doing the other work told me he had another job coming up, so I decided to have him remove the old bath tub, sink and toilet and wall board in the shower area that had been exposed to water over the years.
Rather interesting to see him cut the metal tub in two and for me to be able to carry a half at torso height without issue.
Surprises never cease. the waste disposal company, I am contracted with actually took the tub pieces. I guess, it falls within the size and weight limitations once cut in half.
The toilet and sink, were donated. I hope someone else can at least use them for parts.
Things have not gone smoothly with the worker. For one, he was insisting that a harder backing board was not required behind the shower wall tile. Just "green" board.
Thank you, Home Depot staff for knowing the correct answer to that construction issue.
Yes, one should use a cement type board such as Hardie board behind tile and an area that is exposed to moisture.
At that point, I thought things would go well.
Not...
He and his co-worker "cut" the board (it should be scored and snapped) smaller than the wall area that is being recovered by tile and then proceeded to adhere tile to the wall without using the fiberglass tape and adhesive to fill the gaps.
I am talking about gaps large enough for me to put my fingers into!
At one point, I went downstairs to check on progress and he had put up an off-white/cream colored tile along with the white tile.
"What's with that tile?"
God help us. There were a handful of pieces in the box of new tile and he doesn't have enough common sense to stop and let me know that he's out of tile and that there is this other tile in the box.
Of course, I told him to remove it.
In brief, he got upset and in his fit somehow managed to chip the new tub, as well as scratch it.
Talk about inappropriate behaviors. He then took some white appliance paint I had downstairs for repainting the air vents and did a piss poor job of spray painting his damage.
I even inquired before he left that day as to what the chemical odor was and he ignored me.
Low and behold, when I went to admire the new tub up close. The spray paint was still sticky and had drips running down the inside of the tub.
Long story short - The tub was removed and I ended up purchasing a better quality Kohler cast iron and porcelain tub. It took them almost two days to get that tub connected to the drain. He told me it was finally connected and fine. Checked later and the drain isn't fine. Requires being manually held up for the water to drain.
As for the tile... It isn't readily available in stores. I had to travel about 45 minutes away to a tile showroom to identify the existing tile and the closest current match requires special order.
Yes, Mr. Worker smashed all of the tile to take the tub out without ever inquiring as to source of replacement tile, etc.
Plus, he did the same for the line of tile on the floor and that is no longer available and there are no like substitutes.
My newer neighbors are nice enough to let me gut their master bathroom of the 25 year old wall tile, as they are planning to renovate.
The floor, it appears will have to totally come up and be replaced.
Stay tuned....
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Home Contractors and Worker Staff: Whose house is this anyway?
O.K. I need a medium to grip about the ins and outs and experiences with home contractors, their staff and home care taker types of staff. So, here I go. Let'er rip!
In this blog entry, I focus on "Whose house is this anyway?" This entry is related to those workers that get too comfortable in while doing a job or working on a project in "your house".
Number one complaint, is when they take over a bathroom and the toilet seat is either left perpetually up and/or the bathroom vent fan is left running non-stop even when they are working with drywall dust and wood dust, etc.
Continuation of when they have become a little too comfortable:
In this blog entry, I focus on "Whose house is this anyway?" This entry is related to those workers that get too comfortable in while doing a job or working on a project in "your house".
Number one complaint, is when they take over a bathroom and the toilet seat is either left perpetually up and/or the bathroom vent fan is left running non-stop even when they are working with drywall dust and wood dust, etc.
Continuation of when they have become a little too comfortable:
- They ask you what time to show up for work each day and you agree on a time. Maybe you should have discussed what time zone, because either they are 20 minutes to 1.5 hours late or at times don't show up at all and don't bother to contact you.
- They walk in and out of the house during the day and leave the doors open in the heat of summer and the freezing cold of winter.
- They deposit the bags of trash and other refuse where ever the heck they feel like dropping it. Either on the floor of your house or out on the lawn or in the driveway. Have a pick-up truck? It might as well be a random open trash dumpster to them. The waste disposal company provided large canister trash bins.... Not sure what they are for.
- You as the homeowner know that the night before or the day before you placed X number of new outlets down in the work area and only so many have been installed and X number remain in the box. Where is the missing outlet? Hey, and by the way, where is the center stop for the door knob, hardware and screws that I left in a box "right here" last night? Well, believe me, you won't get any answers. But, check the trash. Sure enough, there is the new missing electrical receptacle outlet mysteriously thrown in the trash and the "empty" box with still no acknowledgement by the workers as to the contents.
- Drill and screw driver bits, as well as vendor provided tools such as Allen wrenches. Say good-bye to them if a worker gets their hands on your hardware, as it will either go into their tool box or into the trash. o
- When you go into the trash to find those new missing items, you discover a good percentage of the new nails and screws in in the trash. Obviously, if it hits the floor and they aren't paying it isn't worth retrieving.
- That new shovel "outside" in the shed somehow ends up inside the house as a adhesive stirrer covered in a material that you will never be able to remove.
- Your drill, left out in the open, you discover after the workers are no longer at your house is a fire hazard. They used it and burned out the engine and it starts smoking, as soon as you turn it on and sparking.
- Show me the money.... Workers telling you that the job is complete and doing piss poor work at the end such as not completely sanding dry wall and painting over it and installing fixture plates over wet paint and getting paint splatters all over and not cleaning it up.
- They put drop clothes down. But, it doesn't matter what side is up or down to them. You discover that they put the dusty side splattered with paint and chunks of compound down on top of your carpets and have been breaking the chunks down as they repeatedly walk back and forth making your carpet dirtier than it would have been if left uncovered.
- They actually cover doors and furniture with plastic and tape as they are creating lots of drywall dust. But, they remove it before the dust has settled and leave you to clean up the mess.
- What is that odor? Ask and they feign that they do not know what you are referring to and continue working. Later that evening you decide to check over your newly installed tub and come across a really botched up cover up job of spray paint where they attempted to cover their damage.
- How did they chip and damage the tub? Well, they got pissed off when you came to check on the job and noticed that they were idiotic enough to have installed a very noticeably different shade/color of tile that had gotten into the box with the matching tile. Yeah, so you told them to remove it and that pissed him off so he got careless and let things fly and chipped the porcelain off of the new tub. Smart.....
- They are creating a high volume of dust and yet go and open up doors to places they shouldn't even be opening doors to and leave them open and don't bother to cover your possessions.
- The radio that happened to be in the general location they decide to use and cover with drywall dust and layers of paint. Thanks.... I really wanted the old distressed and beat up look.
- The sinks, toilets and tubs see materials and abuse that they have never seen and are left beaten up, splattered in paint and debris and you pray to God that the plumbing doesn't back-up, as you discovered they have been dumping grout and other materials down the drain and toilet.
- They ask for an extension cord and two days later you discover that they tripped a circuit and didn't bother to tell you. Check the garage fridge and sure enough, it is on the same circuit and has been off for far too long.
- That extension cord you finally discover in the rubble left on the floor covered in paint, compound and dust. Yeah, the one that you normally have in your office and would prefer to keep as close to presentable as possible.
- It's 30 degrees outdoors and the workers leave for the day. You go downstairs a while later to discover that they left the windows open.
- They are reconnecting the washing machine and dryer. When they are connecting the washing machine, you inquire if they need any special material for the threads. "No, no problem, o.k." Come downstairs a day later and discover the newly tiled floor is covered in water (Thank you God for the fact that some of the trail of water was pouring into the sump pump hole) and "yes...there is a problem" they should have used silicon tape to help seal the threads of the hose. So, you have them come back and they use they disconnect and use the silicon tape you provided. You go to do laundry and discover that they didn't pay attention to hot and cold and have improperly connected the lines to the washer. Encore!
- Discuss with the worker the gap between the drywall and the newly tiled floor in the basement and is there something that could be done to help keep out bugs, etc. by blocking the gap. Next day, proud worker shows you he just sealed 26 linear feet with your multiple $6 a tubes white silicon caulk that you had purchased to seal the interior windows. Thanks for asking....who is paying for this? This is the same area that might have drywall cut and removed when the electrician comes in to upgrade and add electrical lines and outlets.
- The worker has 20 minute drywall compound and asks if there are any other areas in the house that he can use up the rest of the compound before it hardens. You tell him that the screw holes from the old drapery hardware in the living room need to be filled. A minute later he's cradling the cell phone on his shoulder in a conversation, as he's slapping on compound to the wall and splattering it on whatever is situated below, i.e. off-white upholstry, etc.
Home Contractors and Worker Staff: Is this supposed to be a time capsule?
O.K. I need a medium to grip about the ins and outs and experiences with home contractors, their staff and home care taker types of staff. So, here I go. Let'er rip!
In this blog entry, I focus on "Is this supposed to be a time capsule?" This entry is related to a couple of experiences I have had when entering areas of building construction that haven't been visited by humans since the construction workers last had their lunch 20 years ago.
My first experience was with a garden style apartment complex that was probably built in the mid to late 60's that I lived in for approximately 5 years.
Now, this was a complex in a nice section of Fairfax County and honestly, the rent was pretty darn reasonable for the location. I realized that I was forgoing amenities such as newer and full sized stove and refrigerator. There was no dishwasher nor garbage disposal and other than paint, counter top and bathroom vanity the apartment had never had any money spent in upgrades and renovations.
But, it was in an ideal location and close to work. Positive points.
Now the downside to a complex like that is even the leasing and maintenance manager is chintzy and tight with the dime. In order to get the air filters changed it took an act of Congress and I am certain I was posted on the record somewhere for having the audacity to ask for such a thing. So, my request for the complex to send someone in to actually clean the air vents as they were spewing out chunks of dust and allergens was met with a scoff and "No, sorry, we won't pay for that."
O.K. So, I decide to get out the screw driver and my vacuum cleaner and do a little vent cleaning myself.
If I had a digital camera back then, I would have recorded the thickness of the filth inside of the air intake vent adjacent to the HVAC closet. Twenty five or thirty or so years of dirt, debris, allergens and generations of dead dust mites accumulated into inches of layers inside the vent.
Quite the job pulling that waste out and vacuuming. But, I thought, I need to do this for me. I don't need to be breathing this stuff in or continue to spread it throughout the apartment.
The gem was the loser of a worker from 1960? that had decided to create a time capsule by disposing of their lunch bag with an empty milk carton and a snack cake wrapper way at the very back of the vent just as it turned into the HVAC system.
Yeah, I kept that time capsule and left it on top of the refrigerator when I moved out. Doubt the management got the message. But, I just needed to leave that one for the record.
Next.... The current house, O'Dea-O'Dea, built exclusively for Mrs. O'Dea-O'Dea in 1983 and a time capsule discovered by me in December 2010.
My new neighbors has a mirror image house of this style and the basement of their house was built out by previous owners, as opposed to the builders who had built out the basement in this house to a living space in 1983.
Like I said, everything is flipped between the two houses. So, we all have our moments of feeling disoriented when in each other's houses.
My neighbor's husband jokingly said to me, "Have you seen my wife's room yet?" as we were standing at the foot of the basement stairs.
Huh?
He points to a door adjacent to the stairs and tells me to open it.
Low and behold there is this small closet space with bare foundation cement walls and no ceiling.
I had no idea this space existed and once it came to having workers in my basement helping to renovate and repair drywall, etc., I had them open a hole to see if indeed my house also had this secret closet/
Yes, it did! Bonus.... An excellent place to store wine, liquor and/or weapons, etc.!
Oh, but the time capsule.
Workers what is in your heads when you knowingly leave your lunch and food wrappers behind walls of construction or in vents, etc.?
A nice little gift bag on the floor with food wrappers just to let us know that human life had once touched the space decades ago.
Geez.... Thank you unknown stranger!
In this blog entry, I focus on "Is this supposed to be a time capsule?" This entry is related to a couple of experiences I have had when entering areas of building construction that haven't been visited by humans since the construction workers last had their lunch 20 years ago.
My first experience was with a garden style apartment complex that was probably built in the mid to late 60's that I lived in for approximately 5 years.
Now, this was a complex in a nice section of Fairfax County and honestly, the rent was pretty darn reasonable for the location. I realized that I was forgoing amenities such as newer and full sized stove and refrigerator. There was no dishwasher nor garbage disposal and other than paint, counter top and bathroom vanity the apartment had never had any money spent in upgrades and renovations.
But, it was in an ideal location and close to work. Positive points.
Now the downside to a complex like that is even the leasing and maintenance manager is chintzy and tight with the dime. In order to get the air filters changed it took an act of Congress and I am certain I was posted on the record somewhere for having the audacity to ask for such a thing. So, my request for the complex to send someone in to actually clean the air vents as they were spewing out chunks of dust and allergens was met with a scoff and "No, sorry, we won't pay for that."
O.K. So, I decide to get out the screw driver and my vacuum cleaner and do a little vent cleaning myself.
If I had a digital camera back then, I would have recorded the thickness of the filth inside of the air intake vent adjacent to the HVAC closet. Twenty five or thirty or so years of dirt, debris, allergens and generations of dead dust mites accumulated into inches of layers inside the vent.
Quite the job pulling that waste out and vacuuming. But, I thought, I need to do this for me. I don't need to be breathing this stuff in or continue to spread it throughout the apartment.
The gem was the loser of a worker from 1960? that had decided to create a time capsule by disposing of their lunch bag with an empty milk carton and a snack cake wrapper way at the very back of the vent just as it turned into the HVAC system.
Yeah, I kept that time capsule and left it on top of the refrigerator when I moved out. Doubt the management got the message. But, I just needed to leave that one for the record.
Next.... The current house, O'Dea-O'Dea, built exclusively for Mrs. O'Dea-O'Dea in 1983 and a time capsule discovered by me in December 2010.
My new neighbors has a mirror image house of this style and the basement of their house was built out by previous owners, as opposed to the builders who had built out the basement in this house to a living space in 1983.
Like I said, everything is flipped between the two houses. So, we all have our moments of feeling disoriented when in each other's houses.
My neighbor's husband jokingly said to me, "Have you seen my wife's room yet?" as we were standing at the foot of the basement stairs.
Huh?
He points to a door adjacent to the stairs and tells me to open it.
Low and behold there is this small closet space with bare foundation cement walls and no ceiling.
I had no idea this space existed and once it came to having workers in my basement helping to renovate and repair drywall, etc., I had them open a hole to see if indeed my house also had this secret closet/
Yes, it did! Bonus.... An excellent place to store wine, liquor and/or weapons, etc.!
Oh, but the time capsule.
Workers what is in your heads when you knowingly leave your lunch and food wrappers behind walls of construction or in vents, etc.?
A nice little gift bag on the floor with food wrappers just to let us know that human life had once touched the space decades ago.
Geez.... Thank you unknown stranger!
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