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Our Best Handyman Projects in 2017

12/28/2017

The New Year is nearly here, and I like to take this time to look back on the old year and remember all of the cool projects that came our way.

Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order. Click any picture to read the original post about the project.

Two Custom Laundry Closets

Tailored laundry closets can make a big difference in the value of your home with a relatively small investment... and meanwhile you get to enjoy a well-organized space to do your household chores.

These two laundry areas were designed to fit very different spaces; one is tucked into a hallway, and the other is a complete room with extra cupboards and a coat rack.

A Built-In Platform Storage Bed

This little bed has a big surprise...

..drawers that pull open to allow storage of clothes or toys. When the little girl grows up, it can serve as a window seat instead.

English-Style Mudroom Cubbies

Speaking of storing your kids' stuff, check out these mudroom cubbies which I built for a family of seven. Now that winter has rolled around, they're really getting some use out of them.

Custom Kitchen Island

This island has a classic and versatile style, and it could be sized to fit any kitchen. It has storage for dishes on one side, and seating on the other, so it doubles as a breakfast bar.

Portuguese Tiles

I know I showed these tiles off fairly recently, but since I installed them, the homeowner has mentioned a few interesting facts which I left out in my original post. These are reclaimed vintage tiles from Portugal, and their original use was industrial, which is hard to believe given how beautiful they are. (My customer says, "They decorate everything over there.")

The tiles make wonderful "washable art."

Building a Deck with Livestock Panel Railings

Since we're headed into the depths of winter, I couldn't resist showing off my favorite outdoor project from last summer, just to remind us all that the warm weather will return soon.

If you're ready to get a head start on the New Year and get some of your projects done, give us a call. We'll be glad to make your vision into reality.

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The Perils of De-Icer

12/15/2017

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Winter is here, along with lots of snow and ice, so I thought I'd take a moment to remind you that "sidewalk salt" can do major damage to your sidewalk.

Those pits and cracks are expensive to fix! The instructions on the bag are informative: as usual, the large print giveth, and the fine print taketh away.

As the small print says, you should only use this stuff on concrete that's sealed and well-cured. Also be sure to remove the slush right away, and clear concrete stairs by hand instead of using salt.

Speaking of slush, that stuff is terrible for pets. Consider walking your dog away from roads and sidewalks, and maybe even get him a pair of boots.

A post shared by ChuckleBuckle (@chuckthewonderdog) on Jan 18, 2016 at 6:29pm PST

Or you could skip the de-icer altogether and use sand or kitty litter to add traction instead.

While you're doing your winter maintenance, don't forget to get your woodstove or fireplace ready for the chilly season.

And once you're cozy and warm indoors, why not get started on all of those indoor projects you've been putting off all summer? We'll be glad to help.

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A "Breakfast Bar" on the Porch

12/6/2017

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As a devoted coffee drinker, my favorite part of the day is waking up before the rest of my household and having a "cuppa Joe" somewhere scenic.

That's why I enjoyed building this simple breakfast bar for one of my customers. It's a little upgrade that brings a big lifestyle improvement.

It's basically just a shelf over a porch railing, but what a nice place to sit and have breakfast! It would also be a great spot to sit with a laptop and get a little inspiration while you work.

I've always been a fan of broad deck railings, like the one I built last summer. I installed an eight-inch-wide railing, and it's a great place to set down your drink during a party.

I've also beefed up existing railings, not just for functionality and good looks, but also because a wider railing can be sturdier and safer. This one was a little too wobbly until I added a fat top rail and beefed it up with a diagonal corner support that doubles as a little table: