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Man Cave Must-Haves

by , February 3rd, 2012
Man Cave - Debbie Wiener

Man Cave designed by Debbie Wiener

As this post publishes, Superbowl XLVI is 1 day, 16 hours, 16 minutes and …45…44…43 seconds from kick-off—at least according to the official countdown clock on the NFL site. If you are not one of the 63,000 lucky fans who will be cheering their team to glory at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday, you will surely be catching the game with friends at a Superbowl party, sports bar, or from the comfort of home.

If the comfort of your home happens not to be on par with the “man cave” above (from interior designer Debbie Wiener) or the updated garage setup here (from HGTV Rate My Space) check out our top FIVE MAN CAVE MUST-HAVES below.

Man Cave - HGTV Rate My Space

HGTV Rate My Space, Updated Garage Mancave

1. Get a big TV (a really big TV)

Mitsubishi 73" Large Screen TV

Mitsubishi 73" Large Screen TV

This Mitsubishi 3D DLP® Home Cinema features a huge 73″ screen that offers a larger than life, intensely vivid 2D and fully immersive 3D viewing experience.  You can find it at Sam’s Club for $1,999 (after $700 instant rebate online).   If you’re looking for something a little bigger, be on a the look-out for Panasonic’s newest introduction: a 152-inch 3D Plasma—the biggest TV created.

2.  Find a Comfortable Chair

Catnapper Recliner from Sofas and Sectionals

The "Catnapper" Recliner from Sofas and Sectionals

You can’t enjoy the game without sitting in comfort.  This Catnapper 6420 Top Gun Power Recliner is a man cave must-have.  Featuring roomy bucket-style seating, extra plush padding and excellent lumbar support, the chair is upholstered in a manly, but soft black bonded leather. It comes with a built-in cup holder and can be ordered with wedge table for snacks.  On sale for $649 from Sofas and Sectionals.

3.  Add some Creature Comforts

Milliken NFL Giants Rug

Milliken NFL Giants Indoor/Outdoor Rug

If you happen to be a Giants fan, you can show some support and provide a little comfort and warmth underfoot, too, with this official NFL Homefield New York Giants Football Rug from Milliken.  Measuring 10′ 9″ x 13′ 2″,  the premium nylon rug is machine tufted in the U.S. and features durable Stainmaster® protection.  It is suitable for indoor/outdoor use. From Wayfair for $599.

4.  Chill some beverages

NFL Ice Bucket from Amazon

NFL Ice Bucket from Amazon.com

Keep the drinks chilled with this generous-sized, galvanized metal ice bucket from the Northwest Company. In addition to being a man cave must-have, the handles make it ideal for parties, tailgating or camping.  Officially licensed by the NFL, this New England Patriots ice bucket is available on Amazon for $22.69.

5.  Grab some snacks—lots of snacks!

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls "Pig-in-Blanket"

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls "Pig-in-Blanket"

Like this update on the popular “pig-in-a-blanket” concept, made with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and cheese.

Posted in Home Improvement, Products | 0 Comments »

What Do You Say to a Naked Ceiling? Remodel.

by , February 3rd, 2012

It started with a casual stare. Then I gave my kitchen ceiling a withering glance and declared it dreadful! The kitchen actually changes elevation over the cooktop from a flat to a peaked ceiling so the transition that should have been an eye-catcher, was actually an eye-sore. I knew a ceiling remodel was in order.

A fresh coat of paint would certainly be an easy solution to conceal the nasty, discolored wallboard. But, I wanted the ceiling to be more important. Perhaps even a different material… like the wood plank ceilings that I remember seeing in European homes. And that’s exactly what I decided to do.

I live in the land of pecky cypress (Georgia) and wanted to adorn the ceiling with a local wood that looked like it had always been part of the house. Finding rough sawn cypress was not a problem, though it was disappointing to discover that much of the knotty character would be lost when planed into tongue-and-groove planks.

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Posted in Building Materials, Home Improvement | 1 Comment »

Bob Vila’s “Love Your Laundry Room” Sweepstakes

by , February 2nd, 2012

Bob Vila's "Love Your Laundry Room" Sweepstakes

Finding it hard to believe that you could “Love your Laundry Room”?  Well, this Maytag duo featuring the new Bravos XL High Efficiency washer and dryer could change your way of thinking.  And, all you need to do to bring the pair home is enter for a chance to win the February Bob Vila “Love Your Laundry Room” Sweepstakes, starting today.

The Maytag Bravos XL High Efficiency washer and dryer are each valued at $1,199 (MSRP) and come in either white or granite, shown. The large capacity 7.3 cu. ft. dryer features an advanced moisture sensing system that helps evenly dry large, heavy loads and reduce the risk of shrinking. An Auto Refresh cycle aids in relaxing wrinkles and uses steam to refresh clothes.
Maytag Bravos XL High Efficiency
The companion 4.6 cu. ft. Maytag Bravos XL washer has an allergen removal cycle that helps eliminate 95 percent of common household allergens, and boasts a PowerWash system that tackles even the toughest of stains.

In addition to their sleek, modern design and advanced cleaning and drying features, the Maytag Bravos XL products are designed for savings. The dryer uses 40 percent less energy than standard models when used with the washer uses 76 percent less water and 78 percent less energy.

For official rules and entry, click here.  And, enter daily—until midnight EST, February 29—to be eligible to win this American-designed, American-made washer and dryer from Maytag.

To learn more about the Bravos XL and complete line of company products, visit Maytag.

Posted in Products | 3 Comments »

Five (Nearly) Kill-Proof House Plants

by , February 1st, 2012
Usingaloevera.com Aloe Vera

Usingaloevera.com Aloe Vera

Bringing a plant into your home doesn’t just enhance your décor but it will actually help purify the air in your dwelling. Sure we’ve all had that one bad experience with some plant we picked up from the grocery store that quickly turned into a wilting mess. But don’t be intimidated by past failures, here are five nearly kill-proof house plants with care tips from Dr. Neil Mattson, Assistant Professor of Floriculture Extension in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University. Keep in mind that according to Dr. Mattson, “It’s amazing what plants can survive.”

1. Aloe Vera – Dr. Mattson particularly appreciates the dual purpose of the aloe vera plant—besides being attractive and hands-off, the spikes release a gel that has healing and moisturizing benefits.

Orchidpictures.net Orchid

Orchidpictures.net Orchid

2. Orchids – Although orchids get a rap as being difficult to rebloom, Dr. Mattson insists that the moth orchid, or Phaleonopsis, doesn’t deserve the finicky reputation. “Orchids are hard to mess-up, you just have to be aware of what conditions they require in nature—lots of sunshine and not nearly as much water as most gardeners try to provide,” says Dr. Mattson. Stick to watering just once a week. Trigger another bloom cycle by putting the orchid in a cooler location—around 60 degrees.

GuidetoHouseplants.com Spider Plant

Guidetohouseplants.com - Spider Plant

3. Spider Plants – Easy to propagate as well as to care for, “spider plants are like a gateway plant,” says Dr. Mattson. Take a cutting, stick it into water, wait for roots, and then plant in soil—it’s incredibly easy to have spider plants on every shelf that’s remotely near a window in your home.

Typesofflowers.org African Violet

Typesofflowers.org African Violet

4. African Violets – These quaint undemanding plants brighten up any windowsill with their purple blooms. They respond best to indirect sunlight’s and moist soil. Keep them reblooming by using a specialized fertilizer in all seasons except the winter.

And last, but no least…

 

Indoorplantcaremanual.com Mother-in-Law's Tongue

Indoorplantcarenatural.com Mother-in-Law's Tongue

5. Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata) not only offers an elegant structured shape, but it’s actually “hard to kill,” says Dr. Mattson. The architectural spikes can grow up 3-4 feet tall and the plant can handle most interior conditions. They do best in a window that receives semi-to-full sun and needs watering about once a week.

If you’re in the mood for more plants and gardens, get a jump on spring by watching these Bob Vila Garden Tours:

Brooklyn Botanical Garden Tour

Tour of  Middleton Place, South Carolina

Touring a Japanese Garden at Huntington Library and Botanic Garden

 

Posted in Green | 1 Comment »

Why Every DIYer Needs a Thickness Planer

by , January 30th, 2012

Thickness Planer

The thickness planer is not the most versatile tool in your arsenal. In fact, it really only does one thing: it planes things to a consistent thickness, as its name suggests. It’s definitely not a tool you wanna buy before a compound miter saw, or even a table saw. But once you’ve learned what it can do, or get one into your garage and basement, you’ll wonder, “How did I ever do without this?”

Read any fine woodworking handbook or magazine, and it’ll extol the virtues of the thickness planer as a way to thicken wood stock so that it possesses an even height throughout its length. They’ll note that it does not flatten stock nor remove the natural warping or twisting along its length—that’s the job of the jointer. This means two things: that the consistent thickness allows you to have perfectly matched, airtight joints across a project, and that you can save money by buying less expensive rough-cut lumber and planing off the surface at home (instead of paying the lumber mill to do that work for you).

And that’s all well and good for woodworkers building custom furniture or doing fine detail work, but what does it mean for the average weekend warrior interested in learning to do things themselves? Why, plenty, of course.

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Posted in Building Materials, Home Improvement | 0 Comments »

Deals (and Steals) for the DIYer on a Budget

by , January 27th, 2012

DIY Deals and Steals

There are few things as satisfying as finding a good bargain, especially when you’re working on a DIY project and managing a tight budget. We’ve compiled a list of some DIY Deals (and Steals) that you may find useful for your home improvement endeavors, but act fast as these are available for a limited time only.

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Swimming Pools: Pump Woes

by , January 27th, 2012
Pool Remodeling

Cipriano Landscape Design

Living in the northeast and being a “pool-free” homeowner, I rarely think about the luxury enjoyed by countless homeowners who are pool-endowed, particularly in the South and West. But a recent trip to Arizona made me realize that even the swimming pool—a seemingly earth-friendly body of H2O in oval-, square-, rectangular-, and kidney bean-shaped designs—is still an energy user and, in some instances, abuser.

According to an article in The Arizona Republic, the state legislature recently passed new energy-efficient standards for residential swimming pool pumps and portable electric spas. (California and many other states have passed similar regulations.) While it doesn’t affect pumps currently in use, it does prohibit the installation of single-speed pumps in new pool construction, requiring instead dual-, multiple- and variable-speed pumps with motors 1 horsepower or better. And for very good reason.

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Posted in Green | 1 Comment »

DIYers Best/Worst Remodeling Discoveries

by , January 25th, 2012

That’s what I asked my Twitter followers a couple of weeks ago. It’s natural to expect that your renovation’s happiest surprise will arrive upon the project’s completion; at the moment when your lingering doubts disappear and your tired optimism suddenly transforms into a feeling of proud delight.  However, it’s during the process itself, not after it’s over, that many homeowners discover the biggest renovation surprises of all.

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Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Today’s Toile: Artisans Retool a Classic Fabric

by , January 24th, 2012
Pierre Frey's "Les Travaux de la Manufacture" Toile

Pierre Frey's "Les Travaux de la Manufacture" Toile

Though the word “toiles” conjures up visions of fabric dotted with romantic scenes of maidens, cherubs, pagodas, and military or fabled heroes, the actual translation is simply “cloth.” Toiles du Jouy originally referred to linen or cotton cloth manufactured in the French town of Jouy-en-Josas beginning in the 1760s. Located close to Versailles, the Oberkampf factory manufactured toiles for the royals. Deemed Manufacture Royale by Louis XVI and Legion of Honor by Napoleon, Oberkampf toiles were extremely popular.

In The Decoration of Houses (1897), 19th-century tastemaker and co-author Edith Wharton notes the 18th-century French transition from heavy dust-collecting silk brocades to washable, simpler toiles. She describes the pattern: “Absorbing the spirit of Chinese designs, the French designer blent mandarins and pagodas with Italian grottoes… and French landscapes.” She continues, “The little scenes were either connected by some decorative arabesque, or so designed that by their outline they formed a recurring pattern.” Toiles were often printed in one color on a neutral ground, but not exclusively.

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Posted in Interior Design, Products | 0 Comments »

Pantone: The 20th Century in Color

by , January 23rd, 2012

While I’d always been interested in history, it wasn’t until I got to college that I fell in love with it. A special course on the 20th century actually led me to make the subject my second major.

That course was taught by one of the top professors at the university I attended. What made him different was that he didn’t focus on dates, names, or places. Those were all essential to learn, but even more important, the professor told us, was to see the big picture. To trace how different things came together to push movements and people forward. To understand where we’re at today, you’ve got to understand the ways in which we’ve evolved.

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Posted in Home Improvement, Interior Design | 0 Comments »

 
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