-
Recent Posts
Archives
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
Categories
- -Chronological Recent Posts
- Air Intrusion/Thermal Envelope
- Appliances
- Bathrooms
- Central Vacuum
- Condensing Modulating Gas Boiler
- Construction
- Deconstruction
- Design Style
- Distractions
- Electrical
- Energy Efficiency
- Family Room
- Finishes
- Fireplace Boiler
- Floating Walls
- Green Building Interests
- House Systems
- Inspections
- Kitchen
- Landscape
- LEED Project
- Living Room
- Local Products
- Maintenance and Repair
- Master Bedroom
- Mini Split Air Conditioner
- Moisture Intrusion/Expansive Soil
- Monitoring
- Moving
- Planning
- Plumbing
- Project Team
- Radiant Cooling
- Radiant Heat
- Radon Mitigation
- Reduce Reuse Recycle
- Solar
- Spa
- Tile
- Tools
- Trim
- Trombe Wall
- Ventilation
Cloud
-Chronological Recent Posts Air Intrusion/Thermal Envelope Appliances Bathrooms Central Vacuum Condensing Modulating Gas Boiler Construction Deconstruction Design Style Distractions Electrical Energy Efficiency Family Room Finishes Fireplace Boiler Floating Walls Green Building Interests House Systems Inspections Kitchen Landscape LEED Project Living Room Local Products Maintenance and Repair Master Bedroom Mini Split Air Conditioner Moisture Intrusion/Expansive Soil Monitoring Moving Planning Plumbing Project Team Radiant Cooling Radiant Heat Radon Mitigation Reduce Reuse Recycle Solar Spa Tile Tools Trim Trombe Wall VentilationBy Date
Author Archives: ellen
Patching the Tile Floor
At my son’s new house we shortened the kitchen island because it was so long it interfered with the breakfast area. The eat in kitchen was important for the young family so the last island cabinet and an ancient trash … Continue reading
Posted in -Chronological Recent Posts, Distractions, Tile
Leave a comment
Learning to Re-Key Locks
I found a fantastic deal on new doorknobs for my son’s house at the Restore. Interestingly there were almost enough for sale for the whole house including passage sets, privacy sets and keyed sets. They were exactly what we were … Continue reading
Posted in -Chronological Recent Posts, Maintenance and Repair, Reduce Reuse Recycle, Tools
Comments Off on Learning to Re-Key Locks
Reused Vinyl Plank Flooring
The master bathroom in my son’s house had practically new vinyl plank flooring installed over the old tile. The tile in the mud room was dated and unattractive. I decided to salvage the master bath floor and taking it up … Continue reading
Posted in -Chronological Recent Posts, Construction, Reduce Reuse Recycle, Tile
Comments Off on Reused Vinyl Plank Flooring
Tile Removal Means Drywall Repair
I did not take my time removing the tile backsplash in my son’s kitchen. I hacked the tile off with a pry bar and hammer. Directions after the fact said don’t do it this way, Remove the grout first and … Continue reading
Posted in -Chronological Recent Posts, Distractions, Reduce Reuse Recycle, Tile
Comments Off on Tile Removal Means Drywall Repair
Direct Wire Under Counter LED Lights
My son’s house had under counter LED lights which are nice, but they were the plug in type which looked messy. They each had to be turned on separately. With a switch for the light over the sink right there … Continue reading
Posted in -Chronological Recent Posts, Distractions, Electrical
Comments Off on Direct Wire Under Counter LED Lights
Purchasing Agent
I volunteered to purchase remodeling items for my son’s new house. He will have a contractor remodel the master bathroom and install a laundry closet upstairs. We are also making minor repairs/remodels to other rooms in the house and he … Continue reading
Posted in -Chronological Recent Posts, Distractions, Reduce Reuse Recycle
Comments Off on Purchasing Agent
DIY Micro-Topping
My son and his family bought a new house close to us that needed some remodeling. He is concentrating on upgrading the master bath and adding a second floor laundry. I’ve been spending most of my time helping out with … Continue reading
Posted in -Chronological Recent Posts, Kitchen, Reduce Reuse Recycle
Comments Off on DIY Micro-Topping
Globe Trotting
Unfortunately, progress has slowed since we passed the final building inspection in December. Somewhat because of travel. We spent Christmas in Wursalen Germany with our daughter and family. Then we returned for our grandkids birthdays in February. In between we … Continue reading
Posted in -Chronological Recent Posts, Distractions
Comments Off on Globe Trotting
Snug as a Bug
Facebook reminded me that it has been seven years since we had our energy audit. Seven years since I retired. A bit over seven years since we purchased the house. The good news is that the property values have escalated, … Continue reading
Posted in -Chronological Recent Posts, Air Intrusion/Thermal Envelope, Energy Efficiency, Fireplace Boiler, Radiant Heat
Comments Off on Snug as a Bug
Where Are We On LEED?
It has been a long time since I registered our Twinsprings project for LEED. Seven years ago I contacted EnergyLogic about contracting with them to be the energy rater and certification liaison for LEED. We drew up a contract on … Continue reading
Posted in LEED Project, Planning
Comments Off on Where Are We On LEED?
Going with Lutron Wifi Switches
This is for my son’s new house but I’ve been enjoying installing them. I purchased the first Lutron Caseta switch and bridge to control the ERV with wifi. But I was not able to get the signal to match what … Continue reading
Posted in Electrical
Comments Off on Going with Lutron Wifi Switches
Who Needs a Video Doorbell?
Our house is basically all front doors. Besides all the living room french doors there are two entry doors. One door is to the airlock entry which we use most, the other is the old covered entry. We extended the … Continue reading
Posted in Monitoring
Comments Off on Who Needs a Video Doorbell?
Happy New Year!
We spent Christmas and New Year’s with our family in Würselen, Germany. They have a very comfortable apartment there with a huge guest room that was inviting and big enough for ping pong ball soccer played by the grandson and … Continue reading
Posted in Distractions
Comments Off on Happy New Year!
Refrigerator Recycled
Our used Energy Star refrigerator was making a lot of noise. It was also starting to use more electricity and forming ice at the top of the freezer. The temperature was not staying constant either. All of these issues led … Continue reading
Posted in Appliances, Kitchen, Reduce Reuse Recycle
Comments Off on Refrigerator Recycled
A New House in Arvada
My son and his wife have decided to move their family closer to us! I have been seriously searching real estate for them since this spring. Home prices went up about 8-10% in our area this year. But there was … Continue reading
Posted in Distractions, Reduce Reuse Recycle
Comments Off on A New House in Arvada
Red Letter Day
We passed the final remodel inspection this week! I had scheduled the final again a couple of weeks ago but when the inspector arrived he said he could only do structural. So I called in and scheduled the correct type … Continue reading
Posted in Construction, Inspections
Comments Off on Red Letter Day
A Week in Hawaii!
We were invited to a whole week in Hawaii with our son and his family. What a beautiful place and lovely distraction it was. We had a wonderful time with our two littlest grandchildren. They seemed to love the time … Continue reading
Posted in Distractions
Comments Off on A Week in Hawaii!
Gorilla Epoxy Glue Fix
The shark bite I used to connect the shower hose to the wall was too loose even though I pulled it forward to attach the holder and added a backplate. I tried using caulk to attach the holder to its … Continue reading
Posted in Maintenance and Repair, Plumbing
Comments Off on Gorilla Epoxy Glue Fix
A Place for the Internet Equipment
About a year ago I moved the internet modem to the living room from the hall closet. We were not getting a good enough signal at the back of the house. I have several types of monitoring systems that are … Continue reading
Posted in Design Style, Living Room, Monitoring
Comments Off on A Place for the Internet Equipment
Shower Extras
Apparently I am good at making holes in the finished walls. One of the extras I put in the family room bath is a small rack for a wet washcloth. It seems that without a traditional soap dish there is … Continue reading
