Crown Molding and other Architectural Details

Architectural detailing can transform a home from bland and impressive, standard to custom, average to valuable. These details are the unique design features found in older homes, or the design extras of the newer ones. Architectural detailing can be built in with the original construction of the home, take for example arched entranceways and vaulted ceilings. However, when discussing architectural details as a home improvement they are those being added to an existing space. Consider how installing crown molding, baseboards and pillars creates style, elegance, and even the illusion of a larger space with higher ceilings. These features and other architectural details are also referred to as millwork when the building materials used are produced from a mill – traditionally a wooden mill that produces wood building materials, however today millwork is also manufactured from high-pressure plastics and composite materials. Custom or hand-crafted cabinets and fireplace mantels are a part of architectural detailing as well. Finish off your improvement by removing the doors and stair railings that came with your home for more unique designs.

Framing Basics

Framing is the most important step in building a structure such as a single detached house.  I say that with all due respect to cribbers (the guys who put the foundations together.)  Think of a home as you would your own body.  Basically, your skeletal system is the framing of your body.  If you did not have it, you would be a gooey mess and your house would fall down.

Without getting into finite detail, there are basically two types of framing; steel stud and wood framing.  We will deal with wood framing since it is the most common.

I’m frequently asked, what is ‘good’ framing?  Well, let me tell you, this is not an easy question to answer.  It is so much easier to tell you what ‘bad’ framing is, but let’s stick with the good.  Quality craftsmanship is at the end of the day, most important.

A quality craftsman will ensure ‘good’ framing.  Let’s talk about what a reliable, ethical and experienced tradesperson should do for you, with regards to materials.  After all, if you are what you eat, then you are what you use to build with…

Glam outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture goes ultra-glam

A design category once characterized by flimsy metal umbrella tables and simple folding lawn chairs has gone cutting-edge.

After the gloom and chill of winter, the first sunny day of spring is often the same in many parts of Canada. Even if it's cold outside, we tend to head straight for a patio. And if that patio happens to be our own, this is generally the time when visions of sleek, chic outdoor furniture start dancing in our heads. There is plenty of it to go around these days.

“Outdoor furniture is getting the same thought and treatment as indoor furniture,” says buyer Mark Linklater of Living Space, a luxury-furniture store in Vancouver. “The development of materials has been incredible in terms of cushion fillings, weather resistance and [overall] durability.”

Once limited to white metal umbrella tables and simple folding lawn chairs, outdoor designs are no longer afterthoughts and are constantly evolving. At the top end of the market, manufacturers continually research new materials, while award-winning designers such as Philippe Starck and Nicolas Thomkins are enlisted to create full ultra-stylish collections.

Outdoor furniture, German-based Dedon's Orbit canopy lounger ($8,645), available at studio b’s summer pop-up store in Toronto (www.studiobhome.com).

Handmade in Vancouver, Gallant & Jones’s chic black walnut Tywyn Multi deck chair ($300 through www.gallantandjones.com) puts a contemporary spin on classic sling seating.

Designed by Wim Segers, the FORUM table ($1,960 in black through www.avenue-road.com) also features teak or white lacquered-glass tops. The chairs are $436 apiece.

As in fashion, high-end outdoor-furniture trends have trickled down to mass-market lines. PC Home’s Planet folding table ($19.99 through www.home.pc.ca) is a stylish example.

Read the entire article at the Globe and Mail

Guy steals toilet flushers - gets arrested

Toilet flusher thefts lead to arrest

Last Updated: Monday, June 14, 2010 | 2:11 PM ET Comments84Recommend78

CBC News

Ottawa police have arrested a man they said went on an unusual crime spree: stealing flushing mechanisms from toilets across the city.

Police say during a five-month span beginning in January both manual and electronic flushing mechanisms began disappearing from the bathrooms of restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals, medical clinics and other private businesses.

The mechanisms each have an estimated value of $100 to $1,000, police said.

Police charged a 51-year-old Ottawa man with 24 counts of theft under $5,000, 24 counts of mischief to property under $5,000 and 24 counts of breach of probation.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/06/14/ott-toilet-thief.html#ixzz0qx7tCglQ

Fun Fixtures for Inside your House

Applying a fresh coat of paint is one way to update any room without spending a fortune. The other option is to replace existing fixtures every few years.  Lighting, door hardware, faucets, decorative shelving, mirrors, curtain rods etc. are all easy and affordable to replace when you are in need of an instant change.  Unlike accessories such as pillows and candles that are subject to more wear and tear and will require frequent replacement, the listed semi-permanent fixtures can remain for as long as you want so long as they are properly installed.

More on Fun Fixtures for Inside your House

Which Canadian City spends the most on Home Renovations?

With the well-known housing boom in Canada’s western City of Calgary and highest incomes in the country, it is no surprise that Calgary residents spend more on home renovations than any other Canadian cities. Click here to read more...

Outdoor Living Space - Decks, Porches and Patios

Outdoor spaces make or break a home in the spring and summer months.  All homes have an outdoor entertaining area or at least have room for one.Depending on your property, whether new or old, the outdoor space needs to be thought out carefully.When considering a renovation or addition to your outdoor space, sometimes the smallest idea can make the biggest impact!  For example, do you really want a deck in the backyard, or would a patio at grade be a better option?  And in the front of the house, if your old porch/deck is in need of repair, determine if the repair is the best choice, or is a total demolition and reconstruction into a better space more appropriate for the long term?

Creepy Restoration Hardware furniture

I love me some Restoration Hardware, but lately RH has had some WEIRD-ass furniture in their catalog (Dracula's chair) including some that are downright creepy (log home yard sale find). I know people want their gentrified home to appear as if the furniture was drop-shipped from a French Chateau but these bits beg the question: who buys such eclectic pieces???

Scary Chair.

If you've been bad, mommy and daddy will put you in Scary Chair.

Scary Chair may eat you.

Creepy chandelier appears to be made from old Motel 6 curtains and tongue depressors.

Its imperfection is bound by roadkill gut.

This isn't actually old baggage, it's furniture made to look like old baggage. The juxtaposition of a permanent, expensive television set on top of something that's impermanent and meant to be stored, kicked and moved around is odd. Baggage is supposed to be whisked away at a moment's notice, it looks temporary.

First Aid in Home Repairs, pt1

Here is a basic guide to dealing with first aid issues in home repair and home renovation projects including how to deal with bleeding, wounds, electric shock, injury to your eyes etc..

What mortar do I use for my old bricks?

This article has some answers, and believe me, not all bricks or mortar are made equally (or compatible).

Beginners Tips For Home Renovation

"Here are some tips to help prepare you for your home renovation project, these tips will save you both time and money.

Hiring contractors
Don't just go for the cheapest contractor you find you also need to consider the contractors experience, communication skills, quality of work and availability. Remember if a jobs is done right the first time it should last for many years, poor workmanship will lead to extra costs as you find someone to fix the mistakes of the previous contractor. Also don't be afraid to ask contractors for references, these reference should be clients the contractor has done work for in the past. Contact these reference and ask them any questions or concerns you may have about the contractor, most people are happy to help you avoid hiring a dodgy contractor or finding one that's great as they were once in a similar position to yourself.


Be prepared for unexpected additional costs
Save aside some room in your budget for any unexpected costs, while most tradesmen will do their best to provide an accurate quote sometimes thing pop up that are just out of their control. An example of this would be when a certain type timber you have ordered is out of stock, they can get the timber you requested but the wait is going to be 30 days, you may need the work carried out immediately so timber needs to be ordered elsewhere at a higher price.


Expect the project to run overtime
If you are not living in your home whilst it is being renovated don't plan to move back in the day after the expected completion date. Things can and do go wrong, you don't want to be stuck without anywhere to stay while a project is still being finished. Depending on the amount of work being carried out allow at least a few days for things to run overtime. You should also test out all workmanship before moving back in as it would be a major pain to move back home only to find you have no hot water or a problem with the electricity.

Don't assume green alternatives are more expensive
When you are getting quotes for your renovations you may be asked about green alternatives. Don't immediately think that these alternatives will cost you more money. Often there is government rebates for choosing a green option and in the case of things like solar panels the initial price may seem expensive but they will pay themselves of in the long run.

Get your hands dirty
The best way to save money is to do some of the work yourself. Things like painting can easily be done, all you need to do is buy some drop sheets, brushes and a roller. For those that are a little more adventurous classes can be taken in basic home renovation to teach you things like tiling, plastering and floor sanding. Once you are shown how to do these things don't be afraid to have a go yourself, just take your time and remember everything you learn and you'll be surprised at what you can achieve."