EP121: Color Consultation, Removing Wallpaper With a Pro, Insulation, and Psychology of Clutter

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Segment 1: Color Consultation Review

Betsy recently did a color consultation and that led to a conversation about how we tend to get an idea in our heads and don’t stop to think about other options. There’s a lot to be learned!

Segment 2: Removing Wallpaper With a Pro!

We’ve heard the horror stories when it comes to removing wallpaper. The dime sized pieces that take weeks to peel off. So we’ve invited Dan Schipper of Skip’s Painting to give us some secrets that will have the paper coming down in big sheets and will leave you with great satisfaction.

Segment 3: Insulation

Don’t tune out just yet. We’re going to talk about insulation with George Clark from WMGB Home Improvement because you don’t want to wait until snow flies. And even if you THINK you need insulation, you may be surprised to find that might not be the case.

Segment 4: Psychology of  Clutter

How many of us , at some point, haven’t looked around our home and seen clutter. We don’t seem to know how or where we’ve collected it. It just shows up! And then we see shows or magazines where everything is perfectly organized. But we think there’s no way we can ever get to that point.

The first step is to understand WHY we have the clutter. We’re digging into the psychology of clutter and why we collect the things we do.

 

EP120: The Perfect Front Door Color, Plumbing Questions: Answered!

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Segments 1 & 2: Paint For Front Doors

Painting your front door is one of the best “bang for your buck” paint projects you can tackle! You’ll dramatically improve the curb appeal of your home and, best of all, you’ll do it in just a few hours and often for no more than a quart of paint! We mentioned a method for painting your front door on the show today. Here’s a simple graphic of the order to follow:

Segments 3 & 4: Plumbing Questions: Answered!

For everyone who wants the “Betsy Bathroom”, here’s a video of the tub shroom she’s recommending. Also a link so you can buy your own!

EP119: Paint For Front Doors, Home Buyers Need to Know, Types of Tile, and Quick Clean Tips

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Segment 1: Paint For Front Doors

Nothing adds curb appeal like a great looking front door. And when it comes to front door paint, choosing the right one can make or break the project. No one wants their new paint to peel off in a couple weeks.

Benjamin Moore has a great new front door paint called Aura Grand Entrance. It comes in a satin or high gloss and can be made in any color. And because it’s Aura, it covers like a dream.

Next week we’ll talk about how to choose a front door color and the right way to paint it.

Segments 2: Home Buyers Need to Know

We’ve been hearing for a while now that there is a shortage of homes on the market. If you are a seller, that’s great! It means more for your home. If you are a buyer, it’s less great. It means you could wind up paying more than the asking price.

Sue Prins and Ginger Herman of Sue Prins Five Star Real Estate give us some things we need to know if we plan to buy a house.

Segment 3: Types of Tile

Choosing tile can be a bit confusing. Some tile can only be used in certain areas. And there are things to consider…like in floor heating….so toasty! To help us make a better choice, Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One drop by to walk us through the options.

Segment 4: Quick Clean Tips

Big furry dogs mean big furry messes. And when the big furry dog is a Saint Bernard, that means there’s also the drool factor.

Betsy has learned a few tricks to deal with these problems.

  1. Vinegar and Dawn dish soap in a pump up wallpaper sprayer
  2. Seam Ripper to get rid of hair wrapped around brush roller (I use the more expensive, heavy duty one)
  3. Clean your vacuum filter!! It will make your vacuum run like new!
  4. Credit card or gift card as a scraper to remove dried on drool from windows and glass. According to Dan it also works on car windows
  5. Fur-Zoff Pet Hair Remover works like a DREAM in the car! No more dog hair stuck in the carpet!

 

EP118: Jump Into Home Repairs, Choosing a Designer, and Desk Refinishing Project

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Segment 1: Jumping into Repairs

We’ve probably all been there. It’s late and something in our home suddenly breaks. The washer. The dryer. The AC. You name it. And sometimes we are too timid to try and troubleshoot on our own. We’re afraid we don’t have the skills. But if we can do it, so can you. Start small and work from there!

Segments 2 & 3: Choosing a Designer

Sometimes, when it comes to decorating, we need a little help. Jennifer Butler and Andy Yates from Jennifer Butler Design walk us through the important things to look for when hiring a designer. You’ll be working very closely for a while so choose wisely.

Segment 4: Desk Refinishing Project

About a year ago we picked up a cool roll top desk at the Grand Rapids YMCA White Elephant Sale. We didn’t know anything about it other than it was smaller than a normal desk. That led to a little research project where we learned that the desk was a child’s desk from the Sears catalog in the 1930’s.

We were inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s dining room at Monticello with its chrome yellow walls. With that in mind, the paint and stain started flying!