Remodeling ‘Uh-Oh’ Moments

“Is there a problem over there?” Ford asked as he led the way to the kitchen.

“Something about the hot water heater, 

a protracted debate over drawers versus doors on some sort of cabinetry 

and Buddy bitching about O rings. 

Otherwise, it looks to me as if the work over there is going very well.”

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Photo by Deirdre Doherty Interiors - Search powder room pictures

A benefit of working with a designer is having someone who will ensure every detail in a space is exactly as requested. In other words, when things go wrong, it’s good to have an advocate on your side determined to make things right no matter what. Here, seven designers share an “uh-oh” moment they encountered and how they went above and beyond to solve it and make the homeowner happy.

HOUZZ

How to organize that mountain of kid art and memorabilia

 

“I went by my mom’s yesterday.” Brian popped the top, took a swig. 

“Hauled off, to her surprised joy, not one but two boxes of junk she’s saved for me. What am I supposed to do with a crayon drawing of a house, a big yellow sun and stick people?” 

“I don’t know, but you can’t throw it out. According to my mother, dumping any childhood memorabilia they saved dares the gods.”  Ford got his own Coke. “I have three boxes.”

“I won’t forget it’s your fault I took possession of that stuff.” 

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Øyvind Holmstad, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Determining which cards, photos, certificates, uniforms, pieces of art, trophies and schoolwork to keep — and making those choices without the foggiest idea of what your child will deem special and cherish as an adult — is mentally exhausting. If you’re not keeping up with those decisions all along, though, your house will be overrun.

 

But who should decide what’s remarkable and worth remembering?

Washington Post

Weird Things You Can Really Buy at Home Depot

She lifted her glass in toast. "I had a good day. How about you?"

She sparkled, he thought. A trip to Home Depot, or wherever she'd been, 

and she sparkled like sunlight.

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Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine [CC0]

Home Depot is a virtual wonderland for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. 

Of course, if you spend enough time hunting the aisles in search of the perfect item 

to complete your project, you may come across some products that will surprise you. 

Here are 20 of the strangest, funniest and most unexpected weird things you really 

can buy at Home Depot.

Family Handyman

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Guilt stung, just a little, but Ethan rationalized that deer and rabbits 

could be a problem, so she should take precautions anyway. 

"Dried blood."

"Dried blood ? Whose?"

"You can buy it at the garden store, and you just dump it around. It'll keep them away."

"Dried blood." Her lips pursed as she made a mental note to buy some.

"Or urine."

"Dried urine?"

"No." Ethan cleared his throat.

Rising Tides

'Your taste is questionable!'

"What kind of kitchen is it 
that doesn't have any Fritos?"

"In the pantry, top shelf," Roz said from the doorway. 
"I'm surprised you'd think I'd forget your childish addiction to corn chips."

Black Rose

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'Human Dorito' Chris Evans sparks a FURIOUS 

debate on Twitter after ranking his 

favorite chip options in a snack pack

DAILYMAIL

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"You want something to eat? I want something to eat."

He turned, opened another cupboard and pulled out a bag of Doritos.

"That's not actual food."

"That's what makes it good."

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How to Create a Home Gym You’ll Actually Use

Struck with admiration and not a little envy, she stopped at the base. The slope of the hill

opened the lower level to the rear of the house through wide glass doors and windows, and a

small and pretty slate patio beyond, where the dog currently sprawled on his back, feet straight

up, sleeping.

But inside, on safety mats over the wide-planked oak floor, stood the machines. In silence, she

wandered, studying the elliptical trainer, the weight bench, the rack of weights, the recumbent

bike, rowing machine.

Serious stuff, she mused.

An enormous flat-panel TV covered one wall. She noted the components tucked into a builtin,

and the glass-front bar fridge holding bottles of water. And in the corner where the wood

merged with slate rested a whirlpool tub in glossy black.

"Matt's work?"

"Yeah. Mostly."

"I'm more and more pleased with my instinct to hire him. You never have to leave here."

"That was sort of the idea. I like to hole up for long stretches. It was designed as a family

room, but since my family doesn't live here, I figured why haul myself to a gym when I can

bring the gym to me? And, hey, no membership fee. Of course, it cuts out being able to ogle

toned and sweaty female bodies, but you've got to make some sacrifices."

"I have a basement," Cilla mused. "An actual underground basement, but it's big. I gave some

thought to finishing it off eventually, but more for storage and utility. But with the right lighting..."

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Photo by Studio 133 - Browse home gym ideas

Start the new year off on the right foot with expert tips on designing a home fitness space you’ll stick with

Year after year, getting more exercise tops New Year’s resolution lists. And while the number of people committed to this popular goal often plummets by February, experts say having a dedicated space right at home that will inspire you to stay active can help.

HOUZZ

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He stopped in the doorway. He’d seen their setup

at their beach house in the Hamptons, but that was

small change compared to this.

Two treadmills, an elliptical, a recumbent bike,

Bowflex, free weights, a bench press—not to

mention the huge flat-screen and the glass-fronted

fridge holding bottles of water and juice.Towels, he

noted, neatly folded, alcohol wipes, killer view.

“Convenient,” he said, “and efficient.”

Happy Ever After

It's not all hearts and flowers

"I didn't forget you either."

"Didn't you?"

"Nope." He opened a drawer. "I didn't leave it out because I wasn't sure 
what the maid might make of it."

Lana stared as he pulled out a can of Boston baked beans. 
When he dropped it into her hand, grinned at her, her heart not only tripped, 
it fell with a splat.

"That just tears it. I'm done in by a can of beans." 
She pressed it against her heart and began to weep.

"Oh Jesus, Lana, don't cry. It was a joke."

Birthright 

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Gaelle Marcel gaellemm [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Women reveal the seemingly unromantic gestures that REALLY say 'I love you' - from cleaning up sick to practical presents

DailyMail

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"Then we will go down and face the chicken together."

"Really? You'd do that?"

"I'll also face the crab dip and the pasta salad with you. Such is the depth of my love, even at six o'clock in the morning."

Spock rose, yawned, stretched. 

"And apparently his. If we poison people, Cilla, we'll do it together."

"I feel better. I know when I'm being a maniac."

She walked to him, leaned down and kissed his sleepy mouth. 

"And I know when I'm lucky to have someone who'll stick with me through it, right down to the crab dip."

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I'm Not Convinced Money Won't Make Me Happy

"Went around with Hennessy's sister Margie for a time, then broke it off when he met Jane

Drake, the one he married. She came from money."

 With a smirk, Charlie rubbed his thumb and fingers together. 

"Old money. Man needs money to buy up land and build houses. She was a looker, too. Snooty with it."

"I remember her. She always looked pissed off. I guess money can't buy happiness if you shop in the wrong places."

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By Kenny Louie from Vancouver, Canada - Good health and good fortune, CC BY 2.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24336372

I Took A Happiness Course, And I'm Not Convinced Money Won't Make Me Happy

At the same time, researchers also speculate that becoming wealthier makes you more isolated, which can lead to unhappiness. It seems like you can’t win here: Being financially unstable or being rich, either one can lead to discontentment for different reasons.

The Yale class goes over the misconceptions of what we think will make us happy versus what actually will. One of the first misconceptions listed is the topic of money.

MSN

How to Celebrate the End of a Remodel

"No doubt. The problem remains how I find time to squeeze in party planning while I'm

installing kitchen cabinets, running trim, hanging doors, refinishing floors and hitting a very long punch-out list, not to mention exploring the world of sofas, couches, divans and settees."

"You buy a grill, a bunch of meat and a whole lot of alcoholic beverages."

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Photo by The Cousins - More deck ideas

Homeowners and remodeling pros share their favorite ways to mark the completion of a long home project

HOUZZ

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"A party's a good thing, Cilla. People come, people you know and like, enjoy being with. You show off what you've done. You share it."

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Artist Surprises Girlfriend

 He tapped one of the sketches. 
"Thats her. Thats you, Cilla. Just the way I see you."


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Artist Surprises Girlfriend with Illustrations of Them Together in 10 Different Cartoon Styles

Minnesota-based character artist and graphic designer Kells O'Hickey decided to use his drawing skills to make a creative gift for his girlfriend, Lindsay. His illustrations depict portraits of the couple in the style of 10 of their favorite cartoons. From Disney to anime, the thoughtful drawings showcase the talented artist’s diverse drawing skills.

MY MODERN MET

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She took the paper back from him and stuck it in her pocket. It was something she intended to keep forever. 

“You’ve used me rather lavishly in your work recently.” 

She had to tilt back her head in order to keep her eyes level with his. Grant thought she looked more regal than ever. If she turned her thumb down, she could throw him to the lions.  

“Didn’t it occur to you to ask permission first?”

“Artist’s privilege.”

One Man's Art

Bring Out Your Inner Artist

But she was already moving in, eyes wide and delighted. 
"You're an artist. This is wonderful. You sculpt."
The single room was nearly as big as the main area of the cottage. And much more cramped. A
worktable stood in the center, crowded with tools and hunks of stone, pots of clay. A half dozen sketch pads were tossed around. Shelves and smaller tables were jammed with examples of his work. Mystical, magical creatures that danced and flew.
A blue mermaid combed her hair on a rock. A white dragon breathed fire. Faeries no bigger than her thumb ringed in a circle with faces sly. A sorcerer nearly as tall as she, held his arms high and wept. 
"They're all so alive, so vivid." She couldn't help herself, she had to touch, and so she ran her finger down the rippling hair of the mermaid.


Ever After

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See how fine artists, writers and other creatives make room for their talents to roam free

Photo by Sarah Greenman - Discover farmhouse living room design inspiration

Whether you are a professional, working artist or have art-related dreams, a dedicated studio space fuels your creativity. Here are seven home studios that may inspire you to dust off your paintbrush or potter’s wheel.

HOUZZ

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Cilla saw the gorgeous wide-planked chestnut floor, the beautiful tall windows and the wide,
glossy trim. “
"What a wonderful room."
“"Big. It was designed as the master bedroom, but I don’t need this much space to sleep.”"
Cilla tuned into him again, and into the various workstations set up in the room. 
Five large, and very ugly, filing cabinets lined one wall. Shelves lined another with what seemed to be a ruthless organization of art supplies and tools. He’d devoted another section to action figures and accessories. She recognized a handful of the collection, and wondered why Darth Vader and Superman appeared so chummy.
A huge drawing board stood in the center of the room, currently holding what she assumed to be the panels he’d talked about. Spreading out from it on either side, counters and cubbies held a variety of tools, pencils, brushes, reams of paper. Photographs, sketches, pictures torn or cut out of magazines of people, places, buildings. Still another leg of the counter held a computer, printer, scanner—a Buffy the Vampire Slayer action figure.
Opposite that, to form a wide U, stood a full-length mirror.
"“That’s a lot of stuff."”
"“It takes a lot of stuff."


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happily combining households

“"And I haven'’t put anything inside it. I talk about it, but I don’'t take the step. Not a chair, not a table, beyond what I needed for Steve. I guess I have to fix that.”"
He’'d been waiting for that. Waiting for that step. "I’ve got a house full of stuff here. It'’s a good start for picking and choosing.”"
She walked to him, linked her arms around his neck. "“I pick you. I pick the guy who’'ll slice tomatoes with me at seven in the morning because I’'m a lunatic. The guy who not only promises to help me, but does. The one who makes me understand I’'m the first Hardy woman in three generations lucky enough to be in love with a man who sees me. Let’'s pick something, and take it across the road. We'’ll put it inside the house so it’'s not hers, it’'s not mine. So it’'s ours.”"
"“I vote for the bed.”"
She grinned. “"Sold."”

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Joining forces may seem easy compared to merging all your stuff under one roof. 

These pointers can help you keep the peace

 

 

Modern Living Room design by Los Angeles Home Staging Madison Modern Home

 

If you are planning to merge two households, you may need to address everything from duplicate items and treasured family heirlooms to furnishings of questionable taste (and plenty of clutter). Moving in together, while exciting, can also potentially be the cause of some heated arguments and hurt feelings if tastes and housekeeping styles clash. Be proactive and pave the way for a smooth transition with these helpful tips.  

HOUZZ

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It was ridiculous, of course, for two people who were preparing for a party to leave the work to break down a bed, to haul frame, headboard, footboard, mattress, box spring, bedding downstairs, out to the truck, drive it across the road with a dog in tow. Then reverse the procedure.
But Cilla found it not only symbolic, she found it therapeutic.
Still, Ford’s suggestion that they try it out in its new place was going too far.
Tonight, she told him. Definitely.
Their room now, she thought, giving the pillows an extra fluff. Their room, their bed, their house. Their life.
Yes, she’'d put pictures of Janet in the house, as she'’d said in the dream. But there would be other pictures. Pictures of her and Ford, of friends and family. She'’d ask her father if he had any of his parents, his grandparents she could copy. She’'d repair and refinish the old rocker she'd found in the attic, and she'’d buy cheerful, happy dishes, and put Ford’'s wonderful roomy couch in their living room.
She'’d remember what had been, and build toward what could be. Really, had'n’t that always been the purpose? And she’'d keep looking for that truth.

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