Category Archives: construction

Kill the kindles. Build a built-in bookcase.

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

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

better insu-late than never

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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“without a plan, there’s no attack… without attack, no victory”

I say this movie quote often. You may think it’s from Platoon, or The Dirty Dozen, or maybe Saving Private Ryan, but it’s actually from the 1986 silver screen masterpiece One Crazy Summer, starring John Cusack and Demi Moore. If … Continue reading

Posted in Chicago Bungalow, construction, floorplans, remodeling | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

load to nowhere

Because we’re not completely insane, we hired a professional to come in and help with the load bearing wall. J, the Irishman, is brilliant (or as J would say in his brogue, “Brilliant!”). And he turned us on to this … Continue reading

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the beginning is the end is the beginning

Date: November 2007 Location: Living Room Background: G and I decide it’s time to tear down the load bearing wall on the main floor. Originally, this wall divided the home’s living/dining area with the bedrooms, but we wanted to open … Continue reading

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