January 5, 2009
For those of you fascinated with the idea of implementing recycled or "reclaimed" wood into your home, here's another use for old barnwood:
Put it on the ceiling.
A wood ceiling can add warmth and coziness to a room (and save you from having to paint up there), and if you use reclaimed wood, you'll know no new trees had to be cut down for your use.
The barnwood ceiling here looks nice with the mahogany trim of the rest of this study. It's the work of Conroe Texas-based Stout Carpentry.
Tired of the same old brass doorknobs that everybody in your subdivision has? Well, you could really stand out with a knob made from handblown glass. You'd stand out doubly if that knob was speckled with "black cow" spots.
This decorative doorknob is from Megna Glass, a company that features all sorts of colorful glass knobs. For $140-$160, you can even have one custom made to your specifications.
You get the knob and fitting for your money. You'll have to pick up the rest of the hardware for installation at Home Depot or another upscale hardware distributor.
But surely this is a small price to pay for a Black Cow doorknob!
January 4, 2009
If you've got an old, ugly radiator acting as a sore thumb in an otherwise well-appointed room, you're not alone. Some of the most popular posts here have been on hiding radiators with cabinets and heater covers that hide baseboard vents.
If none of those solutions work for you and you've got the money to have something custom built, you could invest in hand-crafted wood radiator covers that blend seamlessly into a room's decor.
The handsome angled mahogany radiator cover here looks so much like a window seat that you wouldn't even guess that there is a heater underneath. It's the work of John Carlton Custom Woodwork & Furniture, and something like this will cost you $2,200.
A chain link fence tends to get installed because it's affordable, not because it's beautiful, but there are exceptions...
"Based on factory-made chain link security fences, Lace Fence contains decorative elements based on traditional lace patterns."
It's amazing what people can do with metal. I'd sure like a snazzy lace fence for my must-have-a-fence-to-keep-the-dogs-from-eating-the-neighbor's-cats yard, but alas none of the folks making these look to be located in the States.
Check out the Dutch Design House for more information on lace fences.
January 3, 2009
Okay, all you DIY gurus: it's time to bring your power tools into the 21st Century. If you're still using a wimpy where's-the-power cordless drill, then let's take a look at a modern alternative. This kit from Makita offers three handy tools in one package.
The Makita cordless drill, driver-drill, and flashlight are made to last.
Just about every review on Amazon is favorable (the impact driver, in particular, gets a lot of loving). Here are a couple of highlights:
"I've owned several cordless drills and impact drivers in the past but none of them can compare to these tools. The power to weight ratio is nothing short of amazing. I can use the tools for long periods of time without the fatigue that I always experienced with my older tools."
"I have purchased and enjoyed using the makita driver a lot for screws, woodworking projects and finishing work on my new home. I have since purchased two more drivers as thank you gifts for family I liked them so much."
Head over to Amazon to read more reviews and get more information on the cordless drill and driver set:
Makita LCT300W 18V Compact Lithium-Ion 3PC Cordless Combo
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