Tip: Mulch in the Spring!

Spring is the perfect time to declutter your landscaping and make your place look neat and clean. Mulch is a very inexpensive way to bring the landscaping to life. It also makes mowing the lawn way easier because you don’t need to trim as much. Just be sure to dig a little trench to keep the mulch in place. Here’s the side and back of our...

TIP: Use Rustoleum to make outdoor door hardware new!

This was one of the most simple things I’ve done!  We hated our brass hardware on our front door.  We wanted to simply paint it black – and did!  Just take it apart, lay it on a piece of cardboard, and spray paint.  Let it dry for about an hour (I always use a fan to help speed up the process).  Then spray it again, wait another hour and re-install the hardware.  Done, and your door looks as good...

TIP: Use latex gloves and a rag to apply stain or polyurethane

Applying stain or polyurethane can be a messy job.  After scrubbing my hands for hours, I found that using latex gloves (the same ones doctors or nurses use) and a rag to apply stain or poly makes for a simple, clean getaway every time.  When you are done, simply toss the gloves and rags!

TIP: Wear a Mask When Sanding

It’s a simple tip, but when you sand – wear a mask!  You can get a mask that will deflect debris and sawdust from getting into your lungs from Lowe’s or Home Depot for under $10, and it is worth it. Don’t have a mask?  Try taking an old handkerchief and wrap it around your face like you’re an outlaw in an old Western movie.  You might laugh, but it’s better than inhaling a...

TIP: Get a Kreg Jig to Build Furniture

Building furniture?  You need a Kreg Jig.  It is seriously a wood working game changer.  With a Kreg Jig, you can easily build joints in minutes – without messy glue (if you want to use glue, you certainly can).   It is what I use for all my projects here, so if you are attempting to follow any of the plans from this site, expect for it to call for the ultimate joint tool for woodworking:  the Kreg...