Consider Box Shelves

Have you ever considered box shelves?

As time progresses, and our families grow, one thing is always guaranteed to come up: clutter. While

many of us do a great job at keeping the clutter to a minimum, throwing out unused trinkets, and making smart purchases, most of us could still use some extra help finding places  for those items that we like to keep around. There are many ways to do this, and today we are going to look at a favorited one: box shelves. You may have seen these stacked across Pinterest, or on a friend’s wall and admired the creative look they bring. The good news is, they’re simple, easy to install, and affordable! In addition, they are completely customizable. You can make them fit any decor. Let’s look at what you’ll need to get started.

Materials

The first material you need is the most fun to acquire. Wooden boxes. You may choose to buy decorative boxes from your local department store. Or, you may want to go the more customized route and create your own from plywood, or old crates. If you buy boxes, you’re halfway done! If you want to make your own, you will also need 120-grit sandpaper, as well as primer and paint or stain and polyurethane.

Tools

If you’re creating your own shelves from crates, you will need a circular saw, tape measure, and straightedge. For both, you will also need clamps, a nail gun, a cordless drill and drill bits, and a level.

Assembly

If you’re building the boxes yourself or using old crates, first you need to get them put together. It’s important to make sure that they are level and even. You want the boxes to be right around 11” deep. Once constructed, if the wood is rough or uneven at all, use 120-grit sandpaper to sand it smooth, and wipe away the dust with a clean, dry cloth. Then you will either paint or stain your boxes, depending on your creative preference. If painting, start with a latex primer. Let it dry and do a light sand over it with your leftover sandpaper, then apply paint. If you are staining,  first apply your stain, and top it with a water-based polyurethane.

Once your boxes are assembled, you have a couple options. You can either screw them all together first, or attach them directly to the wall. We generally recommend attaching them together first, to make sure that no boxes are attached alone, without a stud. To fasten the boxes to one another, first use clamps to angle them correctly, and wood screws to fasten them. You may want to paint over the screws to hide them afterwards. When hanging, use a level to make sure you are hanging evenly. Also remember to look for studs. If possible, screw the corners directly into the studs so for the best durability.

These boxes are not designed to hold excessive amounts of weight, so once finished, start with smaller amounts of weight to test its strength. Overtime you may decide to add slowly. Overall, these boxes look great, and can be a decorative way to store those trinkets you just don’t have the heart to toss. Have pictures of them in your home? Share them with us!

Understanding Insulation

It comes as no surprise that insulation is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when building a home. Proper insulation is necessary to trap heat and provide a proper barrier for sound. It’s also a crucial element in securing the home against moisture, which causes mold and mildew, and leads to decay. When you begin this process you will have many options available. Insulation can cost as little as a few cents a square foot, or reach up to over a dollar a square foot, depending on which route you take. Below are a few options to compare, in order to start your journey understanding and choosing the right insulation for your home.

Cotton Batts Insulation.

This is a newer form of insulation that has been gaining popularity due to its environmentally friendly

nature. It is also appealing because the installation is very similar to that of traditional fiberglass insulation, making it a convenient option. Cotton Batts uses recycled denim for construction, and contains none of the toxic substances traditionally found in fiberglass. It uses boric acid as a flame retardant, and the manufacturing process is also friendly to the environment. For those who are health conscious, there will be no carcinogenic air fibers released from this either.

With all the claimed benefits that this new insulation provides, it’s no wonder that the price will demand a little more, averaging between seventy and seventy-five cents a square foot. New constructions may find this a wise choice!

Polyurethane Spray Foam.

For those with no desire to slice and install sheets of insulation, an alternative option to consider is a spray foam. This insulation does require professional application as it uses high-pressure sprayers. Spray foam has been around since the 1940s and used in residential construction since the 1970s. It is not flammable, needs no vapor barrier as it restricts air flow, and absorbs sound well. This is a thorough option that would be well considered for a basement, or masonry construction. Recently, there have been some concerns over the environmental and health attributes of some older types of spray foam. You might want to check out new technologies before looking at this option.

Because this is such a strong and thorough option, this insulation can be high in price range, nearing two dollars a square foot.

Mineral Wool and Cellulose.

These are two forms of insulation that are blown into place. Mineral Wool is spun and inorganic, whereas Cellulose is made from newspapers treated boron. Both are fire resistant. Cellulose is also pest resistant, and Mineral Wool is resistant to mold and mildew growth. Both are quite sound resistant.

These are two simple options for those working on a tight budget. For either of these you can stay under twenty cents a square foot. However, you will likely have to invest in vapor barriers as well which would become an added cost, as neither of these are moisture resistant.

There are many more variations on the market. Most people think of pink fiberglass when they hear insulation, and while that is still an available choice, you may be surprised to discover the amount of options available to you. If you have any questions or doubts, always check with a contractor you trust. Insulation will protect your home for years to come, so don’t take any chances!

Wallpaper: Successful Application

Wallpaper and humanity have long had a love-hate relationship. The design options it provides make it covetable. Yet it has a reputation of being a headache to those trying to use it, and to the walls it insists on peeling away from overtime. Will wallpaper and humanity ever find reconciliation? After today, in your home, it just might! The key to a clean, successful wallpaper job is preparation. If you have the right tools ahead of time, you’ll be ready for those unwanted snags that wallpapering is prone to! 

Preparation

Before preparing your wallpaper, we need to examine and prepare the walls. First, look closely for any

holes that might cause air bubbles. You can fill these with a little spackle. You’ll want a smooth, even surface. Once you have this clean your wall! Some soap, water, and elbow grease is all it takes to remove any excess dirt. The third component is examining the leveling. It is not uncommon for walls to be slightly off or uneven. Use a leveler to find a straight line, and mark it. You can use a chalk line, or painter’s tape. This is a crucial step, so take your time! Make sure you get an accurate, straight, level vertical line for placement. We also need to prepare the wallpaper itself. Give yourself room for grace by cutting the paper in strips longer than you’ll need and lay them out so you are ready to go!

Placement

Some wallpapers have adhesive already on the back, in which case each strip will only need to be dunked in water just before placing it. If you chose a wallpaper that does require adhesive, pour the glue into a roller tray and use a paint roller. Apply it quickly to wall space of one strip and the back of the paper as well. Apply the paper one strip at a time. To smooth against wall, start in the center with a plastic smoother, and press outward. If you have a particularly tall wall and need to use a ladder, you should consider having someone spot and hold the paper at the bottom while you start at the top and smooth it downward. Make sure as you move to each new piece of paper that the seams are not overlapping, but rather sit right next to one another, as overlapping paper will peel more quickly.

Finish 

Once you have a piece placed, you’ll have about 10 minutes before it is permanently dried. Use a sharp razor blade to cut the excess length from the top and bottom. Also, for each piece, look carefully for any air bubbles and make sure it is perfectly smoothed. You can use a needle to poke any particularly stubborn air bubbles. Remove any excess adhesive with a sponge. Lastly, double check the alignment to make sure it is perfectly level. 

Wallpaper can provide a beautiful statement to any home, and doesn’t have to be a headache to install using the right tools and method. Have you wallpapered a wall? What was that experience like for you? We’d love to see pictures!

Caring for your Brick

Brick is a beautiful piece of any home. It is used for many purposes. Whether as a fireplace, a brick wall, flooring, or in an accent, brick brings an organic charm to any home. When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, its unique nature requires special care to keep it looking top shape.

There are many kinds of brick, and some do require a special care, so always check on your brick first if you have any doubt as to its nature. Clay brick is generally porous, and because of this requires a special touch. Excessive water on porous brick will damage it in the long run, as the absorption will eventually break down the particles that compose it. A simple and soft method to use is to create a paste of dish soap and salt. Mix the two together, using only a small amount of water if necessary to make a paste. Using a rag or soft brush, gently rub the paste into the brick focusing on any stains. Allow it to sit for ten minutes and remove it with a towel. Finally, use a small amount of water and a rag to rub and rinse any remaining soap, only as much as is necessary.

To make your brick more durable in the
future, you may consider either sealing or
painting the brick. This can add a nice
design touch to a home as well. If sealing
your brick, choose a sealant that contains or
consists of tung oil. Tung oil is safe and will
produce a nice semi-gloss finish. Paint can
also be quite beautiful. Before painting
however, ensure that your brick is in good
condition. Brick that is mildewing or deteriorating isn’t always a good candidate for paint. Because brick is porous, it is accustomed to breathing. Paint seals and blocks the natural pores. In healthy brick this can prevent excess moisture from penetrating it for longevity. However, if there is already mold existing in it, the mold will become trapped and have a chance to erode the brick from the inside. If you have a dry brick in good condition and decide to paint, choose a paint of high quality. Choose one that is intended for masonry, and make sure to use a good primer.

Whatever route you take with your brick, it will add warmth and beauty to your home. Brick is a strong, durable substance which will add a timeless touch. Have pictures of beautiful brick in your home? Share them with us!

Monthly Newsletter - May 2014

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