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My Favorite Power Tools & Hand Tools

I’m writing this blog because a lot of my friends have begun work on their newly purchased “bottom of the market” homes and are both intimidated by the work ahead and eager to get started. As I write this, my brother-in-law is preparing to make a once-flooded foreclosed house into a livable home for his wife and young son. He’s texted me a couple times this week asking about tools he can borrow from my arsenal and what tools he should buy on his own. This brings up a big question: What tools does a new homeowner need to buy?

Finding Inspiration from San Diego’s Beach Houses

There are few home styles more inviting and charming as a Southern California beach house. But finding out what “makes a beach house a beach house” can be hard to quantify. So I dug through my photo archive of my favorite beach houses in North County San Diego to share with all of you DIYers out there who want to add beachy touches to their own homes. To be clear, there is no strict formula for what defines a Southern California beach house, but there are distinct architectural and design details that creative homeowners can apply to their homes.

Redoing Your Yard? Remember that High Maintenance = Bad

I was watching This Old House last year when they were rebuilding a stunning home in Carlisle, Massachusetts. I was surprised to see that they did not lay tile on the walls of the bathtub/shower. Instead, Tom Silva installed large panels of synthetic board that were etched to look like tile. It seemed like a lazy shortcut that you don’t ever see on This Old House. The host asked why he chose that material, and Tom explained, “People get tired of cleaning grout in the shower.”  A year ago, I disagreed with Tom’s decision, but today I recognize that you can’t keep  stacking chores on your home maintenance to-do list because you eventually become an employee of your house.

Confessions of a House Remodeler

I’m in the middle of remodeling my house. I feel like I owe it to the world to report on the untold subplots in the story of upgrading homes and lives. These are the deleted scenes from home remodeling shows. This is the truth: 1) I don’t look cool 2) People ask me a lot of irritating questions. 3) I spend a lot of time and money at Lowes…

Tips and Inspiration for Remodeling Your Attic

I don’t have an attic to remodel, but if I did, I’d take some design cues from two projects that I’ve discovered from Desert Living Magazine and This Old House Magazine. When considering converting your attic into extra living space, it is important to consider climate control as well as lighting…

Why 50 Cent’s House is Not Gangster

While Candyce was at Mass on Sunday I watched an episode of MTV Cribs dedicated to 50 Cent’s house outside of Hartford, Connecticut. (I’m pretty sure he bought this from Mike Tyson’s ex-wife.) I should start by explaining that this estate is massive: 17.6 acres, 48,515 square feet, 19 bedrooms, 19 full and 16 half bathrooms. MASSIVE! If I were in high school living with Mom and Dad, I might be jealous of somebody with a house that big. It’s the ultimate stage of glamor and success. But anybody who owns a house watched that episode with a different perspective…

Matt Smith’s Perspective on Cars

I’ve been a car fanatic for as long as I’ve been alive. Since turning 15, I’ve owned and modified classic American cars and as well as late-model imports. Take a look at my kustom 1954 Chevy Bel Air and then read some of my thoughts…

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