The Home Know-It-All

Fall Color Palettes for Your Home

Autumn is officially here, and I couldn't be happier. This past weekend, I celebrated the arrival of my favorite season with a trip to a local apple orchard, sipping a pumpkin spice latte, and watching my fair share of football (though I'll be perfectly honest—I've been watching football since the preseason).

One thing I haven't done yet is decorate my apartment for fall. But I've been thinking a lot about what colors I want to decorate with—how could I not? All you have to do is step outside for color inspiration. This time of year, warm colors such as cinnamon, pumpkin, chocolate brown, harvest gold, mossy greens, and muted yellows easily spice up any living quarters. 

Or you could go for an unexpected look with blues, greens, and purples. Don't believe me? This Etsy blog post shows how to make a cool color palette work for fall. And in this BHG.com slideshow, which features 24 hot fall colors, you'll find everything from tried-and-true autumn reds and golds to smoky blues and neutral greens. For a really eye-catching look, why not mix warm and cool colors? Red and gold accents instantly rev up a pale blue or green color scheme such as my own, so I think I'll be stocking up on warm accent pieces this weekend. And a creamy, neutral color scheme looks great when paired with burnished reds or golden yellows.

Pantone recently created a fall 2009 color report based on responses to a survey of New York Fashion Week designers. And while the popular autumnal colors—purple heart, burnt sienna, rapture rose, and warm olive, to name a few—are all fashion-related, these lively hues can easily be applied to your home. I think an American Beauty accent wall would look amazing.

I especially love the series of autumn leaf-inspired palettes devised by Valspar. Go here to see rooms enriched in dazzling combinations such as burnt orange, lemon, and pale blue. 

Until next time,
The Home Know-it-All

Acting as Your Own General Contractor

Major renovation projects such as a master bedroom addition or extensive kitchen remodel require the involvement of a general contractor. This major player oversees every phase of the project from start to finish to ensure everything goes smoothly—hiring subcontractors, buying materials, organizing everyone involved, adhering to building code requirements, and more.

Some homeowners elect to act as their own general contractors to save money. And while you can cut overall project costs as much as 25 percent by doing all the work yourself, it's important to have a full understanding of all time and work that's involved in undertaking such a job. You have to have a lot of time to spare, have extensive construction experience under your belt, and be organized and detail-oriented. Tom Silva of This Old House gives you the straight scoop here. And these 10 considerations can also help you make an informed decision.

Think you're up to the task? Here are some considerations to guide you along the way.

Do your homework. Knowledge really is power when it comes to being your own general contractor. Get to know building requirements and procedures. Check out library books on being your own general contractor and even consider taking community college classes on the subject. Buy construction management computer software to stay organized.

Expect the unexpected. You never know when you'll encounter cracked foundation, mold, pests, or another snafu in the midst of a project, which can cause costs to skyrocket. That's why it's important to build a 10–20 percent cushion into your budget at the beginning.

Find experienced subcontractors. General contractors already have loyal subcontractors lined up, so you'll be charged with the task of hiring reliable subcontractors—carpenters, plumbing contractors, electricians, drywall installers, and others—on your own. To find subcontractors, get recommendations from friends and neighbors. Compare bids, carefully examine subcontractors' references, and inquire about past work. If licenses are required in your area, make sure the subcontractors you choose are fully licensed. For more tips on finding reliable subcontractors, read this article.

Get help. If you're set on being your own general contractor, you may still benefit from behind-the-scenes help. A project manager/consulting contractor can take the guesswork out of tracking down subcontractors, because they already have established bases. And they can get building materials at lower prices. Plus, this type of collaboration will cost you less than hiring a general contractor. 

Until next time,
The Home Know-it-All

Easy Sewing Projects

I've been bit by the sewing bug—not that I'm in any way, shape, or form a good sewer—but I've been scouring the Internet and flipping through magazines to find easy sewing projects to whet my appetite. (I'm just learning, so I'm not about to tackle anything too in depth.) Here are a few simple projects I can't wait to try out. 

KatieDid's Quilt 

I'm so excited for this project I've already bought all the materials for it. You can alter it to fit most any room or person, which makes it—spoiler alert!—an excellent gift possibility. And, truthfully, it seems like a sewing project even I can whip out in a matter of days. Pick out fabrics in any shade or pattern and then follow Katie's basic instructions. Simple enough!

J. Caroline's Basic Apron

I don't currently own an apron, but I'd love to have one. And what better way is there to get one than make it myself? For this one, I need only one yard of fabric, a small swatch of complementary fabric, two d-rings, and two yards of ribbon.  

Threads Magazine Box Pillow

My small apartment doesn't offer up a ton of seating, but that's easily remedied with a few box pillows. I can store these under my TV stand to be brought out when guests arrive. Plus, they're cute, and they can add a pop of color to a dreary room. 

What do you think? I'd love to hear your easy sewing project ideas too! 

Until next time, 

The Home Know-It-All

Creative Ceiling Treatments

The other day I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Young House Love, when I came across one of John and Sherry's latest home improvement projects: painting the ceiling in their master bedroom. I've always been a fan of painting a ceiling to enliven a room, and John and Sherry's handiwork got me thinking about ways to play up a boring ceiling.

There's nothing a fresh coat of paint can't remedy. If you've got a really high ceiling, for instance, a darker hue can give a room more of a cozy feel. Need help picking the best color for your ceiling? Look no farther than this BHG.com article. I especially like this idea of painting the ceiling and the upper border of the walls in chalkboard paint—how perfect is that for a kid's room? 

I like the idea of installing crown molding between the walls and ceilings to create definition. If you want more drama, you could could install ceiling medallions and pressed-tin panels (love the vintage look!), apply wallpaper, or add paneling. Get the scoop on these and other options here.

The way interior designer Patricia Gray sees it, ceilings deserve just as much attention as walls or floors. I couldn't agree more. She blogs about the top eight ceiling treatments, which includes possibilities I never dreamed possible. Take a look at the contemporary dropped ceiling treatment and the honeycomb treatment and you'll see what I'm talking about. The various treatments take plain ceilings from blah to brilliant in an instant.

Until next time,
The Home Know-it-All

Convert an Unfinished Basement

Transforming an unfinished basement into a fully functional room can go a long way in creating living space you didn't know you had. (I grew up in a house with an unfinished basement, but my parents now live in a house with a huge finished basement. It's like a second family room. Truth be told, I kinda wish I had grown up there.) 

Ready to convert? First, read this helpful primer on basement renovations and brush up on local basement building codes. Then do the following:

Dry it out. Basements are hot-spots for moisture. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, approximately 60 percent of U.S. homes have wet basements. Get rid of excess moisture before beginning a basement remodel or you risk undoing all that hard work and money later on. Dry out a wet basement by routing drainage away from your home's foundation, clearing clogged gutters, sealing damp walls, plugging cracks in the foundation adding a sump pump or dehumidifer. For a more in-depth look at remedying wet basements, check out this This Old House article.

Frame and insulate. Once you've got moisture under control and are up to speed on local building codes, it's time to frame and insulate the existing structure. This Reader's Digest article will walk you through the process.

Control sound. Keep noises from traveling upstairs with a solid soundproofing system. Try sealing cracks, adding a layer of drywall (or a sound-dampening insulation) to the ceiling, and installing a solid-core door at the top of the stairs. If noisy mechanicals are to blame, read this Q&A to get the scoop on deadening sound. And if you're curious about soundproofing your basement walls, look no further than this article.

Ease your upstairs-downstairs transition. If your basement stairs, are narrow, steep, or don't logically connect to the main level, you'll want to reroute and rebuild them. If they're in decent shape, but are unfinished like the rest of your current basement, this Calfinder article explains how to finish them.

Let there be light. It's possible (and smart) to add windows to a below-ground room—you'll just need to dig window wells with waterproof covers first. If windows are out of the question, illuminate your basement with general, task, and ambient lighting. task lighting. Still stuck in the dark? Talk to a professional at your local lighting store.

Add finishing touches. To make your finished basement livable and enjoyable, finish it the way you would an upstairs room. Top the existing concrete slab with engineered wood flooring rather than solid hardwood, which tends to warp in moisture-prone areas. Use area rugs as accents—they're easier than carpet to dry out should you face water damage. Paint the walls a bright color. Get more design ideas here. If you're on a strict budget, this RemodelingCenter.com article explains how to create a cozy below-ground living space without spending much money. 

Until next time,
The Home Know-it-All

Green Cleaning Tool Kit

If I had to bet, I'd guess you have multiple cleaners, several scrub brushes, and at least one roll of paper towels lurking underneath your kitchen or bathroom sink. Am I right? If so, you're definitely not alone, but you're also wasting precious money on needless products and hurting the environment in the process. But don't worry, there's an easy solution to this problem.  

Add these ingredients to your grocery list and replace those toxic chemicals and tree-hogging brushes and paper towels today: 

1. baking soda
2. white vinegar 
3. salt 
4. liquid soap 
5. spray bottles 
6. microfiber towels 
7. toilet bowl brush 
8. newspaper 
9. bucket 
10. broom and dustpan  

Believe it or not, that's typically all you need to clean your bathroom or kitchen. With these ingredients at the ready, you can concoct one of the green cleaning recipes available here or on The Daily Green. You can also prevent poisonings, protect the environment, and free up a little space under your sink. 

Until next time, 

The Home Know-It-All 

Green Around the House Challenge: Natural Home Air Fresheners

Any time the kitchen or living room reeked in my old apartment (my neighbors smoked in the hallway), I pulled the trigger—of bottled air freshener, that is. My trigger-happy habit lasted until I read this Time magazine article. As it turns out, purchased air fresheners contain unhealthy ingredients that can cause more harm than good. Luckily, it's possible to fight even the nastiest of odors with one of these natural remedies.

Fresh air
When I go a little heavy on the garlic while whipping up dinner, I open up my patio doors and let soft breezes air things out. After all, what could be easier than that?

Fresh flowers
Plop a bunch of your favorite posies in a vase and let their sweet fragrance waft through the room. Bonus: You'll get a pretty shot of color too.

Newspaper
Sweaty sneakers and musty suitcases don't stand a chance if you stuff them with wads of moisture- and odor-absorbing newspaper.

Vanilla extract
If you've got a nasty stench coming from your microwave, get rid of it by pouring vanilla extract in a bowl and microwaving it for one minute. To eliminate fridge odors, soak a few cotton balls with vanilla extract.

Coffee grounds
Lessen the unpleasantness of a freezer failure by leaving a few bowls of coffee grounds in the freezer overnight—it'll put spoiled food smells in their place. (According to this blog post, mixing a few grounds into hand soap can eliminate nasty food odors that reside on your hands. Sweet!)

Citrus peels
Whenever my garbage disposal smells funny, I grind leftover lemon or orange peels because it leaves behind a fresh, fruity scent.

Essential plant oils
Dab a few drops of clove, peppermint, or eucalyptus oil on a cool light bulb. When you turn the light on, the heat infuses the room with fresh fragrance. Learn how you can make your own essential oil-based air fresheners here.

Baking soda
The last time I had a mystery smell coming from my dishwasher (after it had been emptied, mind you), I ran a load with 1 cup of baking soda and was greeted with a fresher scent when I opened the door. Baking soda also works wonders if Fido has a little accident on your carpet. Sprinkle a little on your carpet, let it sit overnight to absorb odors, and sweep up as much as possible before vacuuming the rest. Also use it to stop smells in the fridge, trash can, and closet.

For more odor-eating ideas, check out this Reader's Digest article.

Until next time,
The Home Know-it-All

Happy Labor Day!

Today we celebrate the end of summer—which, truthfully, brings a tear to my eye. But that doesn't mean I'm not excited for autumn weather. In fact, all of us at the Home Know-It-All are taking today off to gear up for fall fun. 

Have any around-the-house tasks you need help with before the weather turns really cold? Leave a comment with your suggestions. We're always excited to help! 

Until next time, 

The Home Know-It-All