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I must tell you this funny story. I have an acquaintance who, for years, I lauded as the queen of the kitchen. This is because I never once went to her home and saw a messy kitchen. Her dishes were always washed, her countertops organized, and her table free of clutter. For years, I marveled in silence. One day this friend had a baby, and, like a good neighbor, I brought over a meal for her family. Her husband opened the door, and with overflowing gratitude led me downstairs to her additional kitchen. This kitchen counter-ego was far from the immaculate space found above. My opinion of this person was not lowered, however. Rather, I thought how ingenious of her! Now, whether it’s true or not, everyone who ever steps foot into her home (well, upstairs anyway) will have this Martha Stewart image of her forever.
This encounter opened my eyes to the hidden potential that so many people have beneath their feet. Since then, I’ve seen basements remodeling projects that have transformed rooms into anything from a tool-laden work shop to a posh carpeted entertainment center. Other options include a music room, crafts center, storage area, guest bedrooms or suite, multiple car garage, studio, or home gym, and contractors are just getting warmed up! This two part series goes out to my in laws who, thanks to their newly renovated basement, were able to house my husband, kids, and me for a short vacation. First we’ll discuss everything you need to know about basement remodeling. In part two, we’ll get down to some fun and stylish basement designs.
Problems you may encounter when basement remodeling
- constant ducking to avoid ducts, piping or low ceiling
- awkward support beams
- cracks in the walls or floor
- mould
- musty smell
- moisture
- water seeping in from window frames
- poor air circulation
- poor lighting conditions
Solutions
Proper construction of basement walls and flooring will ensure a functional living area. Insulation should be used everywhere, between foundation walls and interior walls, between window frames and wall bed, even on support beams that will be covered with carpeting or other material. Insulation can help to reduce noise, pipe vibration, condensation and mould build up, and heat loss. A water resistant layer may be necessary on certain walls. Plumbing, electrical aspects, wall frames, heating and ventilation, and all other technical angles are at the discretion of your contractor (unless you’re well versed in these areas), so choose a good one. Ask for references and call them, go see other sites and finished projects that the contractor has done, and get everything in writing.
Things to consider when basement finishing
Flexible rooms- While right now the need to stash your four and six year olds’ many toys and games is pressing, remember that small children do grow up. With all renovating, it’s important to consider long term needs as well as the immediate ones. When constructing your playroom, for example, try to keep it flexible so that when the little ones have grown, it can easily be converted into something more age appropriate.
Flooring- One of the most fundamental aspects of renovating is choosing an appropriate basement flooring. The basement is prone to any number of mishaps, be it boiler bursting, oil spills, child havoc, tire burns, or flooding. Depending on what type of basement finishing you want, you’ll have a number of flooring options. PVC tiles, carpeting, rubber mats, cement, laminate, and hardwood (not recommended) are all options. (Hardwood is a terrible choice for basement flooring, according to the experts, because it is extremely prone to high moisture levels, and warps easily.) Because the basement in below ground, many people have moisture problems. You must have a moisture barrier to ensure water doesn’t seep up through the concrete, ruining your flooring. Don’t dismay if your basement isn’t protected. A sealant can be applied to the floors (and walls preferably) creating a waterproof seal. This will also keep your basement flooring safe.
Plumbing and electric- Whether it’s an additional sink, a half or full bathroom, heating or air ventilation systems, additional plumbing and electric circuits may be required downstairs. If using a contractor (recommended), he should know or check out the laws and city codes that will affect plumbing and electric work (as well as general construction codes), and ensure that your plans follow those requirements.
Windows- Many states have laws that require your basement windows be a certain number of feet above the ground in order to do any construction below ground. Some contractors will raise the floor above to accommodate these requirements. This is a very expensive proposition, and you should discuss other options, such as enlarged window well, before choosing this one.
November 15th, 2007
Here is an unusual take on the traditional Halloween decorating ideas. To trick or treat? With the winter settling in, and gas/electric bills rising to the occasion, it’s getting harder to justify even the occasional decorative purchase. So comes the question, to trick or to treat? Obviously, if you have the money, treat yourself and your home to a new item or look seasonally. On the other hand, if nobody’s left you any significant inheritance lately, but you’re still itchy for some restyling, perhaps you should try the trick option. No bank robberies, embezzlements, or scandals, just a little skillful decorating that will trick others into thinking you’ve spent wads of cash. Sound good to you? If so, then you’ll enjoy these Halloween decorating ideas for the discerning ghouls and gals.
Clean up and reorganize the clutter This is your first step because it’s free, you may find useful things you’d forgotten about, and because everyone feels better when their living space is clean and organized. Remember, it has to be out with the old if you want in with the new.
Rearrange The next totally free option is changing things up a little. Sometimes just moving around your furniture can give you the variety you were looking for. Play around with a few different options (maybe draw a picture before lugging that huge armoire across the room, though).
Creative touches You’d be surprised with the talent that you have within you. Let the inner artist come out!
Paint is one of the easiest ways to drive out that stale feeling. Ask your local hardware or paint dealer for their premixed batches. These are paints that were mixed for a customer but didn’t come out they way they were expected to. While these may not be what the original customer was looking for, the colors might be perfect for you, and at a fraction of the price of the other paints.
Creative picture frames increase ambiance in a fun and funky way. Simply paint old frames or create new ones from wood scrapes, material, keepsakes, old dishes, the list goes on forever. This allows you to display your special moments in a totally unique and personalized way.
Cloth and material are a dollar-conscious designer’s best friends. Buy from a thrift or fabric store, or better yet, recycle old sheets, table clothes and clothing! Chic and environmentally friendly, life is good. With your new supply of cloth, you can create literally hundreds of home décor items including curtains, unique wall hangings, and lampshades. Cover rough surfaces or edges such as the wooden/metal panel over your window shades, corners, or any area that just has too much of one type of material such as wood, metal, or stone, for a softer, more welcoming effect. Reupholster chairs or couches for thousands of dollars-worth of savings. Even if you are not sewing savvy, there’s hope. Go to a crafts store or hardware department and buy a glue gun or seamstress tape for needle-free hems and finishes.
Spend a little, get a lot A cozy throw or complementing pillow can be the little touch that a room needs to bring everything together. Cotton rugs can easily accomplish this goal as well. Fixing such as cabinet knobs, wooden shelves, and doorknockers can also be little inexpensive ways to add big differences to the look and feel of a room.
ATD I call it Attention To Detail. Little touches are what really give your home style. Using your old hat box as an ottoman or stool, your favorite worn out CD’s as coasters, or newspaper cutouts from your hometown, school paper, or significant events can be framed and hung. All these little things give your house that personal touch that offers both class and comfort to all who enter. ATD doesn’t have to be limited to sentimentality, though. A few freshly picked flowers from your backyard or an inexpensive pair of ceramic mugs can also be that imperceptible but integral key.
Refinish is not redundant Stripping wood items and varnishing, shellacking, or painting it infuses the furniture and the room with new life and a splash of cool fresh air.
Sales anyone? The end of the season forces tons of stores to have huge clearance sales. These sales can often provide you with spectacular finds that you would ordinarily not have given a moment’s thought to due to price.
Dare to do something different this Halloween. Decorating ideas abound for the homeowner (or renter) bent on making their living space more livable. Whichever method you choose, happy trick or treating.
October 14th, 2007
After a full two months of intensive vacationing, most parents are ready for a retreat of their own. Summer break does end, though, and it is ushered out in a fan fare of back to school preparations. School supplies, clothing, and scholastically encouraging room furniture are sought for, high and low, by desperate parents. In our back to school madness, we often make unnecessary purchases, pay too much for necessary items, and generally get taken for a ride by those marketing sharks who know all too well how eager we are to just be done with the shopping and put our feet up with a nice cup of Joe.
Anybody else tired of this painful process? When we sat down to brace ourselves for this year’s mad rush, my husband and I decide, “Uhuh, not this time.” It was time to peel the “Sucker” stickers off our foreheads. We would start a new trend, smart shopping. The question was how.
First we made a list (sound familiar?) of things that we needed, and a few things we wanted, too. Already, we had a better handle on this overwhelming back to school project. Instead of buying fourteen knapsacks, thirty-five notebooks, and ten thousand pens, we had a good idea of what each child would need for the upcoming year.
Next we calculated our funds to determine how much we were willing to spend on extras. The summer months are probably the most exhausting months financially. Kids are always home and always hungry, trips are expensive, and summer projects don’t come cheap. On the other hand, our son’s birthday falls right at the beginning of the school year, and combining a birthday gift with a useful back to school item would probably save us money in the long run. Again this seemingly insignificant step gave us direction and clarity into our mission.
The third step was easy. We opted to do our back to school shopping online. Most school supplies stores offer free shipping, and the obvious convenience made this decision a no brainer.
Finally, I was allowed to have a little fun. I chose a small school-oriented furniture item for each of the kids’ rooms. This is an extremely effective trick that we use to get our kids excited about schoolwork, and it actually keeps the momentum going for several months. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but getting something new (something that belongs to each child on their own, preferably) always creates an air of excitement. Tie that enthusiasm to school, and you are almost guaranteed an improvement in their attitude towards learning and homework.
For the younger kids, something as simple as bookshelves can suffice. Keep schoolbooks as well as enjoyable reading materials on these shelves to encourage reading and organized homework. As I said, our oldest son has a birthday coming up, and he’s been begging us for a computer desk. It is a slightly larger present, but it has the dual benefit of promoting efficient and timely homework completion and organized work habits (something we hold highly of in our family). And at this price, it’s hard to say no. A comfortable computer chair is another nice extra.
If you’re in need of a little refurnishing anyway, loft beds are good back to school room refreshers. With an assortment of accessories, loft beds expand your existing room, and create a fun and enjoyable work and play area. On top of all that, you are getting more beds for your money and floor space.
So transform that annual back to school nightmare into a bonding experience with your kids that can be used to encourage and promote healthy appreciation for orderliness and good work ethic. Or, if nothing else, it act as the necessary incentive to get the kids off the couch and interested in doing their homework.
August 27th, 2007
Making my way down the front steps, juggling my baby, computer and various other necessities for an outing, I thought, ‘Things aren’t so different.’ When I was younger, I walked around with a pen in hand and a notebook tucked under my arm. Now, as I escort my son to the park, I find myself walking around with a pen and a notebook (laptop, of course) tucked under my arm! The more things change the more they stay the same!
It made me think just how important familiarity is to most of us. As the old saying goes, “familiarity breeds comfort”, and after a long day out in the world (doing whatever it is that we think is so important that it has to keep us busy the entire time), it’s a small piece of comfort that we are looking to come home to. When dating, we tend to go for people like our parents or siblings, and are attracted to those with similar looks or features to our own. And have you ever noticed how most people enjoy sitting in the same seat on a bus or in a classroom? Familiarity. When we decorate our homes, regardless of our childhood memories, we take certain key points of comfort and replicate them. Whether it’s the large collection of stuffed animals, the pleasant feeling of order, or the soft look found in wooden furniture, like a flower grows towards light, we reach for that which is familiar.
I looked around my home after I’d had this little epiphany, and couldn’t help but smile. I noticed with fondness the cozy and familiar living room setup. I remember the battle of the couches we had until we found ones that were, not surprising, just like the ones I had back home. The artwork reflected years of ‘training’ during which my father would come home from work, pull down a book from the Met, and, as we curled up into his lap, quiz us on the various artists. Even my refrigerator magnets whispered subtle similarities to a life once lived before. It’s not to say I am just a drone. As I’m sure you’ve all realized, I am a character bursting with originality and creativity (if I do say so myself). At the same time, I’m sure you will agree there is something truly magical about putting your own spin on an old favorite.
As we all go through our lives each with our own interior design struggles (may they be our worst), remember to allow yourselves to be you. While a new piece of furnishing or wall hanging is appropriate, and sometimes necessary, that tattered teddy bear or a dried rose with sentimental value is often the most perfect final touch of all. When shopping for a piece of furniture, let your internal interior designer lead the way a little. If you get a warm feeling off of wood, go with it. If wrought iron sets your skin tingling with fondness, listen! Even if it’s not the latest trend or what’s in style, don’t ignore those subtle messages of familiarity; they’re often what will lead you to the most comfortable selections.
Comfort has many faces, but only one definition. Let your home be a place you and your family will love coming back to each day. If this blog inspired you, feel free to share some of your old favorite decorating techniques with us.
July 22nd, 2007
The other day my husband and I were walking down the street, when we saw a huge chest sitting on the ledge. Now maybe it was the little girl inside of me (if it was, my husband’s boy was thinking the same thing), but the sight of this chest gave me goose bumps and sent a rush of excitement through my whole body. A bona fide, real live (well. . .) treasure chest, in modern day, right smack between the dumpster and the corner pizza shop. What an adventure! Either my husband was curious too, or he just couldn’t bear to dampen the sparkle in my eye, but he agreed to open it up and see what was inside. My husband swung open the lid, peeked inside, and shook his head in disappointment. The chest was empty.
Then I did the last thing that my husband was expecting. I clapped my hands and said ‘’Yay, we’ve got ourselves a new trunk!†You see, the adult side of me had kicked back in, and my mind was already spinning with the possibilities. I could use this for quilts in the off-season, out-size baby clothes, linens, or even shoes. I could put it in the living room with a nice runner for a retro style coffee table. Or it could go in the playroom and be filled with toys or act as a bench for my kids to sit on. My big bulky sweaters are constantly looking for a good home, and this would be just the right place. Not to mention the possibilities it opened up for my limited pantry space.
We waited a few minutes to make sure no one was coming back to claim it, and then we ran. Like two small children who’d just found the candy stash, we ran all the way back to our house. Once home, my imagination began to swirl yet again. It looked terrific against the wall in the kids’ room with the nice wood as a backdrop. We moved it into the study/computer room, and saw it fit like a dream under the computer desk, and would make a great storage place for all the extra printer paper, cables, and other miscellaneous computer products we didn’t use daily. In the living room, as I suspected, it transitioned perfectly as a coffee table, and, though this is not my recommended use, my three year old showed us how it could make the ideal stage for a tiny dancer (sorry Elton, this kid beats out your L.A. lady).
With all the possibilities before us, I realized I had no choice. I went out and bought another chest. I couldn’t find the exact color, but since they’re in different rooms now, I think that’s fine. Since the new chest came in an unfinished wood color, I was able to stain and paint it to match the bedroom.
So if you’re moving, remodeling, or redecorating, keep your eyes and your mind open. Remember, there’s a treasure trove (or chest) around every turn!
May 20th, 2007
My husband is not exactly a social butterfly, so we always joked that G-d made us move so that he would be forced to meet new people occasionally. Well, the jokes on us because this was going to be our forth move in two and a half years (change of scenery is nice, right?)! Anyway we were only moving a few blocks down, so I decided that we didn’t need a professional moving company. My husband and I could pack ourselves (you know we had enough practice!) and we had plenty of friends who offered to help lug the heavy appliances, furniture, and boxes.
Well the best-laid plans don’t always turn out the way we expect them too! I’m still smiling, but I certainly learned a thing or two.
The key to a successful move is organized and efficient packing. There are several ways to achieve this.
- To avoid a good deal of last minute chaos (having to run out to the store mid-packing for example), start out with a good supply of boxes. Ask your friends or local stores, they’re usually happy to oblige. Also have plenty of packing tape, markers and labels on hand.
-A good penny saver is using your luggage to, well, lug! Instead of going to the post office or Staples or somewhere to buy yourself boxes and tape, make use of any luggage that you have. Duffle bags are great for large amounts of randoms, and small hard suitcases are the perfect mode of transport for fragiles.
-Do a little at a time. This is not always possible for two reasons. For one, you may not have too much advanced notice about the move. In fact, if you’re like us, you have precisely two weeks from the time you find out to the actual moving day. As such, you will just have to make do with the time you have (if there are little ones in the picture, you will probably want to pull a few late nights and get the job done during these precious stretches of uninterrupted time.) Also, there are certain things that you need during your day to day living that can’t possibly be packed in advance. Of course you shouldn’t be putting away your toothbrush, work papers, and favorite outfit. But you can pack your backup supply of toiletries, old school projects, and off-season clothing. Things that are rarely or infrequently used can also go into boxes early. Books, the majority of kids’ toys, and spare linens are usually safe bets.
- Throw out anything that is superfluous, past its prime, or basicly sitting around collecting dust. Give it a few weeks, and, I promise you, there will be plenty of dust in your new place even without these unnecessary attractors. And buying a few small things new is a great and well-deserved way to make moving more fun. Even something small like an area rug, or a nice light fixture can give your new house a more homey feeling.
- Label boxes according to room. “Books” sounds good initially, until you realize that, being an ardent reader, there are books in every room of your house! Also, marking boxes with colored labels or bags with colored ribbons will make directing where each one goes a breeze. If you’re super organized, put a matching color label on the door of each room in your new house so that anyone can follow the color-coding.
-Play packing by ear. If you are a regular Iron Chef, save your kitchen till the end. If, on the other hand, your idea of making dinner is dialing the Chinese take-out down the street, you probably won’t miss that ten-piece frying set your aunt bought you.
- If using the help of friends, order pizza half way through the job. It’s greatly appreciated, and gives everyone a new wind just as their energy is beginning to ebb. (We even made a BBQ a week after the move to show our appreciation. It might have been a little excessive, but, hey, any excuse to BBQ!)
-Keep important papers with you. Legal documents, stocks, or whatever else you consider valuable.
Moving doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. Keep things organized, follow these moving tips, and save all that frustration for other things- like dealing with the phone company!
May 6th, 2007