Getting Back On "Track"...

Another home repair project completed!

This one has been a problem for years, which I should have addressed long before now.  It's been a pain in the rump with the doors not closing properly and often popping open.

The washer and dryer closet track system for my bi-fold doors has been damaged to the point that it could no longer be adjusted properly.  This would cause the hardware to come loose at times, doors not hang vertical and flop open.

Well, no more!  I bought all new track and hardware and in less than an hour replaced it all AND what a difference!

Before - old rusted, base door bracket -

After - shinny new hardware -

New top track and door rollers AND you can see the perfect vertical spacing of the two abutting doors, which now stay closed without needing to lean on each other -

MMHGA - Make My House Great Again!

#Blessed

"Welcome"

I have a dream or perhaps an idea is a better way to describe it...

To add some color and pop to my front door.

So, I reached out to my signage consultant Gregory Frye at Fastsigns of Cutler Bay, FL, who by the way is a savant when it comes to all things signs related and I HIGHLY recommend him for any job small or large, and this is what we came up with.

We chose the farmhouse font, Abigalside, and Greg created the following options -

Which do you prefer?

Options #1, which is magnetic -

Option #2, which is magnetic -

Although, I am partial to option #2 above and feel this is the most appropriate to address the religious zealots, the solar panel pushing sales folks and the requestors of contributions\donations that come knocking, AND quite honestly how I feel about people in general these days.  However, I chose to air on the side of caution and instead went with option #3 below.  This option fits in well with the house color scheme, does add some pop to the door and flows betta -

Option #3, which is a decal -

So, if you are NOT one of the above mentioned visitors, then you're all "Welcome" to stop by!

Now, whether I answer the door when you ring is an entirely different thing...

Energy Saving Upgrade

Sticking with the curtain theme, and with the cold weather upon us and winter fast approaching, I bought a new set of thermal insulated patio door curtains for the kitchen.

I never cared much for the dark brown of the previous curtains, too dark, so I opted for a lighter color, which brightens that corner up a bit.

I didn't iron these, too lazy if I'm being honest but did toss them in the dryer with a wet towel, which did a remarkable job in removing most of the wrinkles and creases.  Hoping they'll stretch a little from hanging to close the tiny space on the bottoms.

After with new curtains installed -

Before -

Unfortunately, I took down the old curtains and forgot to take a before pic, alas.  However, I found this below pic in my picture archives, so it'll have to do.

** Please pay no attention to my linoleum floor, it is a flipp'n mess and on my "to do" list! **

My Home Office Décor Upgrade

I spent the better part of yesterday morning cleaning and making some subtle changes to the room that I use as an office, and which doubles as my TV room.

Although, a subtle change, it was one I'd been thinking about for a while, so I pulled the trigger, placed an order and got her done - I installed brandy new farmhouse style valances to each of the three windows.

I then opened the 3-windows and removed most of the furniture and items from the room.  Wiped down the walls and baseboards, cleaned the windows and vacuumed the carpet. Polished the furniture and wiped down each item as I moved them back into place. Also, swapped some wall hung pictures from another room, which match the room colors and theme better.

Before -

After -

Before -

After -

The valances were needed and make a big difference!  I am very pleased with the outcome.

Note: I need to spot paint the wall hole patches; it's on the list.  Unfortunately, I do not have any more of this color paint available.  I'm not sure if the paint store can match the same color from a photo, as I don't have any other way of bringing a sample in.  We'll see.

"She's A Beauty Clark"

Bought myself a beautiful new tall 2-person outdoor dining set!

It needed to be assembled and took a couple hours but I enjoyed it, like doing a puzzle.

It was on sale and I got a terrific price!  Looks great and SO comfy too.

If you're in the neighborhood stop in and have a seat and a cold beer.

Home Improvement Ideas

Last Saturday I took in the New England Home Show, in Foxboro, at the Empower Field House, where our Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots practice.

Got some good information on a number of products for the home and contact information for local providers and installers.

25 Feet of Yuck!

Before -

After -

Still needs more attention for an even cleaner finish but not too bad for a first pass.

I'm not sure what the renters did to some of the tools in Charlie's Place these past several years but it's clear, with this example here and others not shown, that there wasn't too much concerns for being neat and respecting of others property.

Then again I have OCD type issues...

Took A Little Off The Bottom

Banged out another winter chore today. This one has been on my list for quite some time now.  Since it really wasn't bothering anyone but me, and it wasn't a break-fix kinda thing, it's lingered.

The fix is not the unevenness of the before picture.  Although, in hindsight I should have fixed that before taking the picture.  Anyway, ever since these blinds were installed, like most, they've been too long for the window.  The extra slats all bunched up on the bottom looking unsightly.

These wooden blinds are installed in three windows; two in the dining room and one in the bathroom.  So, today I removed (8) slates from each, shortening the blinds by approximately 8".

Not a difficult project at all, just takes time and some patients.

Before -

After -

Let There Be Light!

Completed another home project yesterday.  I installed (3) under cabinet puck lights in the kitchen, above the counter area where most of the preparing is done.  It was always on the dark side, as the one over head light in the kitchen would be to your back when standing at that area.

Before: Lights Off -

After: Lights On -

Another "bright" idea of mine...

"Take Me Away"

The original downspouts were installed in such a manner that water would drain onto the driveway, especially the front one.  This caused all kinds of puddling that became more of an issue as the driveway itself started to deteriorate.  When winter arrived this became more of an issue as the water would freeze and we'd have layers of ice.

At some point shortly after we moved in I diverted the front downspout to the rear of the house. However, in doing do, which was successful, I created an eye sore of sorts with the downspouts running along the side of the house even though we painted them to march their background.

When I had the new driveway put in this past Fall, I had PVC piping installed under ground to divert the water away from the house and to the other side of the driveway.

Yesterday, I dismantled by previous handy work and installed the downspouts into their new underground piping.  Looks better too.

Before -

After -

Bring on the rains...

Vintage 70's Calgon Take Me Away commercial for your enjoyment