Monthly Archives: August 2010

The Arts & Crafts Wainscoting, Chapter 2: how to stain and finish

Posted on August 24, 2010 by

Good news: the stain/urethane fumes in here have died down, and I am no longer wondering whether we’re just living in someone else’s dream, man. With the exception of a few touch-ups, and the need to still stain the inner … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Crafts, Chicago Bungalow, Craftsman, DIY, Home, home improvement, remodeling, Wainscoting | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Arts & Crafts Wainscoting, Chapter 1: design and build

Posted on August 20, 2010 by

It’s been a tad hectic here, what with trying to get a crippled elderly large dog down the stairs and all, but we’re almost done with the wainscoting in the living room. We’ve been wood-staining maniacs the last few days. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts & Crafts, Chicago Bungalow, construction, Craftsman, DIY, Home, home improvement, remodeling, Wainscoting | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

What do you do when your dog starts falling down the stairs? Build new exterior stairs.

Posted on August 11, 2010 by

Well… Oslo our Newfoundland dog has started falling down the exterior front steps when she goes outside. It’s not quite “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” territory, but it’s mighty close. She basically biffs the last 3 steps altogether … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, DIY, dogs, home improvement | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

a sneak peek at the arts & crafts wainscoting

Posted on August 6, 2010 by

Not yet finished. Not yet sanded. Not yet stained. But awww yeeeah I’m digging it. G is in a zone.

Posted in Arts & Crafts, Chicago Bungalow, Craftsman, DIY, home improvement, remodeling | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kill the kindles. Build a built-in bookcase.

Posted on August 5, 2010 by

I am of the belief that nothing beats actual, real life, made-of-paper books. Maybe someday I’ll write a manifesto about this, but you’ll likely read it digitally, and then the whole thing will be pointless and ironic. So let’s just … Continue reading →

Posted in Built-Ins, Chicago Bungalow, construction, DIY, Home, home improvement, remodeling | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

make this: a back yard movie (or wii) screen

Posted on August 2, 2010 by

Sure, you could throw a bed sheet over a clothesline, but I think you deserve better than that. As our block’s annual movie night drew closer (and Ron Howard was shooting his new film just a few blocks away), the … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago Bungalow, construction, DIY, Home Entertaining, Wii | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments