A few good tools

Ok, so tape measures and hammers will never compare to new shoes and bags, but they sure are handy to have around the house! If you’re just starting out on a home improvement adventure, you’re probably not even sure where to begin. In the past two years, I’ve learned quite a bit about the tools that are most commonly used in basic household projects.

While you’ve probably used a hammer and screwdriver at some point in time, for the sake of being thorough I’m going to assume you’ve never held a tool in your life. Here’s a list of the most commonly used tools you are SURE to need at some point: a hammer, a screwdriver, nails, a level, and a measuring tape. All these items can be purchased individually for small money. Here’s a link to where you can buy them all in one kit!

In addition to these basics, I’m going to suggest a few others. Whether it’s a picture frame, or a small shelf, sometimes a simple nail just won’t cut it. This is especially true if you are hanging something heavy, or going into an old plaster wall. A cordless drill is great tool to tackle these jobs. I suggest cordless because we all know there’s not always an outlet available when you need one. You can get a low voltage model for as low as $30. The higher the voltage, the higher the price (and the heavier!).

Next I’ll suggest a good utility knife. I mainly use mine to open those rediculously-difficult hard to open plastic packages that carry electronics etc. You’ll also need one to cut drywall (another article, another time!).

I hope this helps as you begin your home improvement adventures. Stay tuned for a series on re-siding a house!

Dress it up with color

One of the easiest ways to make a drastic change to any home is color. Perhaps you and your husband just bought a new house together, or maybe you moved into his bachelor pad, walls laden with white. Adding a little color will make a huge difference and create that cozy feeling you long for when coming home from a long day at work.

When choosing paint colors, there are a few questions you should ask yourself before you start:

1. What colors fit with the style or your place?
2. Are you considering selling within the next few years?
3. Are you painting just one room, or all the rooms?

It’s important that you choose colors that represent the style of home you live in. If you live in a colonial home built in the early 1900’s, bright and bold colors probably aren’t your first choice. How about a loft style apartment? You’ll probably want to stick with more modern, neutral colors. If you are considering selling your home, any real estate agent will tell you to stay away from colors that are too wild or stylistic. Future home owners need to be able to see themselves if your place, and that can most easily be done with light, neutral colors. Whether you are painting just one room or many rooms, make sure the colors you choose work well together. Choose colors from the same pallet and color family, or complementary colors. Many times, you can take cues from the items you already own in your room. For instance if you are painting your bedroom, what color is your bedspread? Don’t use the same color as the bedspread, but a color that complements it.

Some easy tools that I like to use are the Behr Color Smart program (Google BEHR and you’ll find it). You can see what your colors will look like in rooms at this site. I personally love Ralph Lauren paint. It’s a little more expensive at $30 a gallon, and can only be found at Home Depot, but I love their color pallets and you can order samples online.

One more tip! When you pick your colors, it’s smart to get samples of the color. Paint a piece of cardboard instead of your wall, and tape it up. Look at it at all different times of the day! The lights you use in your home can differ from in the store, and will have an effect on the way your color looks. Also, keep those paint chips with you at all times! I carry mine in my purse, that way if I am choosing a piece of furniture or decorative item; I know exactly how it will look against the wall. Have fun!