Monthly Archives: July 2010

where we welcome the flat panel wainscoting into the entry

Posted on July 29, 2010 by

So… The entry. As of today, it’s the only room of the house that’s basically finished. If it were socially acceptable, we’d invite people in and just sit them down on the floor of the entry, feed and entertain them … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Bungalow, Craftsman, DIY, home improvement, remodeling, Wainscoting | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Flecktastic: Our Craftsman Staircase

Posted on July 23, 2010 by

Our bungalow (like many here on Chicago’s NW side) was originally built with one main floor, and one narrow back stairwell leading up to an attic. The previous owner added a dormer and more space to the second floor, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Bungalow, Craftsman, DIY, dogs, home improvement, remodeling, stairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

this is how the avon lady would stain doors

Posted on July 20, 2010 by

Thank you to Fine Homebuilding for this easy way to stain (or paint) a bunch of doors all at once, all in the same room. STEP 1: Take the doors out of their frames. STEP 2: Stack ‘em up one … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Bungalow, DIY, home improvement, remodeling | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

I tiled, I cried, I learned something.

Posted on July 13, 2010 by

Three tiling projects… Three lessons learned… TILE PROJECT 1: The Entry, late Summer 2009 LESSON LEARNED: MIND THE CLOCK. When they say wait 24 hours before walking on tile after grouting, it means you should wait 24 hours. Unfortunately, when … Continue reading →

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now you, too, can protect your lungs and scare small children!

Posted on July 11, 2010 by

Doing any projects that involve sanding, staining or spraying? Get yourself a respirator.  I turned to The Wood Whisperer (shhhhhhh)* for help with finding the right one when G and I were planning on staining all the new doors on … Continue reading →

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better insu-late than never

Posted on July 2, 2010 by

Our bungalow was originally built without any insulation. There’s nothing more comforting than a home with no insulation and a furnace on its last legs in Chicago in February. People who enjoy wearing multiple pairs of socks were just begging … Continue reading →

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