John H's Profile
| Display Name: | John H |
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| Personal URL: | http://home.att.net/~John.Howell.Photography |
| Member Since: | 3/26/07 |
Latest Comments...
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Though I understand the intent here is to demonstrate Photoshop capabilities, taking the picture correctly the first time is always preferrable to correcting it on Photoshop. Taking the time to adjust lighting, exposure, and camera angles can allow one to avoid the issues exhibited in the photograph and can often open up whole new perspectives on a subject and/or their environment. How To Color Correct a Photo Super Photo Magic School |
5/25/12 9:51 AM |
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I've heard of people lifting large pieces of furniture, such as sofas and grand pianos on top of the elevator. This would require your contacting the building's elevator maintenance firm and arranging for the service. Assuming you have a balcony with large access doors, or windows which may be removed or disassembled, you could hire a firm with a scissors lift, crane, or block and tackle to hoist your sofa into your home. Is There a Formula to Determine if a Sofa Will Fit in the Elevator? Good Questions |
5/7/12 10:08 AM |
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I live alone and I've owned a dishwasher for the last probably 20 years. It's an older Kitchenaid model that does not require pre-rinsing. So I simply load it gradually durning the week, then run it whenever it gets full. I run it on average about once a week, more If I get into serious cooking. I think it's indespensible. Living Alone with a Dishwasher Cooking for One |
5/4/12 10:00 AM |
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That's a completely ridiculous bathroom. Despite the safety of structural glass, a view down 15 floors is a lot more unnerving that a view down 12-20 feet. By the way, who changes the underfloor light bulbs that shine down in the shaft? Don't Look Down: Elevator Shaft Powder Room Home DSGN |
5/1/12 2:54 PM |
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A "Grown Up" livingspace is the difference between camping out in a space and actually "living" in it. It means you furnish a space with the intention of staying there for years, even if you intend to move. "Grown Up" doesn't require perfect sets of everything, however, you avoid trendy items likely to go out of style, in favor of acquiring items which are meant to last and perhaps handed down. Do You Live In A Grownup House? |
4/27/12 12:38 PM |
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I would suggest you do a ton of research before plunging into building any home or even buying one that you want to renovate. The various home rehab TV programs, with the possible exception of Holmes on Homes, make house construction and renovation seem easy, it is not. If you're going to attempt building a prefabricated home, consult your municipal, county. and state zoning and building codes. A number of jurisdictions have prohibitions or regulations that make prefab home construction difficult or impossible. Buy vs. Build?: That is the Question |
4/27/12 11:04 AM |
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I've replaced several appliances in my apartment, 3 wall air conditioners, the dishwasher and a gas cooktop, all bargains from Craigslist and Ebay. I gave the old ones back to the landlord who will reinstall them after I leave. I have my own refrigerator and washer/dryer that come with me. Pros & Cons: Replacing Appliances in a Rental Renters Solutions |
3/21/12 10:23 AM |
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I also don't agree with this approach to floorcovering. Frankly, it's ugly. If you're going to attempt to combine rugs into a bigger floorcovering, you should use multiple copies of the same rug. However, this approach only works with fringeless, thick pile rugs, with a concealed edge binding, and a limited number of rug designs where the pattern continues across the multiple rugs to create a cohesive whole. Otherwise you're creating an ugly patchwork floor and setting yourself up for a trip hazard. DIY or Buy: Layer, Stitch & Scatter Area Rugs to Cover Ugly Floors Renters Solutions |
3/21/12 10:09 AM |
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A long-term tenant is a very valuable commodity to a landlord. Being one myself, I would be loathe to go through all these gymnastics to get an apartment. Having experienced an envious landlord and the problems that can bring, I would definitely NOT provide a prospective landlord with bank statements as one person suggested. As for deposits, I would review the local and state laws concerning security deposits. New Jersey law limits deposits to 1.5 times the rent, therefore I would limit any deposit to the first month's rent plus the maximum allowable security deposit. Paying more than permitted under the law is illegal and sort of makes one look like a fool. No Fail Ways to Land Your Dream Apartment Renters Solutions |
3/19/12 4:04 PM |
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It might be possible for you to put an appropriately sized clawfoot or other freestanding tub in the shower, but you won't be able to fill it conveniently without a faucet, In addition, concentrating the half ton weight of a tub plus water, plus your body weight on four feet will inevitably crack or break any tile in the existing shower stall. The framing structure of your apartment may also not be capable of supporting the increased weight. Cheaply Upscale Shower to Bath? Good Questions |
3/16/12 9:48 AM |
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Advantages to Renting What Amazing Perks Do You Have as a Renter? Reader Survey |
3/14/12 5:07 PM |
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I strongly agree with the advice about doing your own research for the reasons noted above. Since you and your roomate are female, and especially if you're a racial minority and your potential new neighborhood lacks diversity, it is important to remember that changing demographics can motivate existing residents to give out misinformation in order to steer you out of the area. Although minority steering is illegal under both state and federal statutes, people violate the laws daily, How Seriously Should I Take Warnings from Neighbors? Good Questions |
3/12/12 1:20 PM |
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Beanbag chairs and their close cousins the giant floor cushion are timeless. I still use them and so do some of my close friends. I'm glad they're made out of fabric now instead of vinyl. Sometimes you get tired of sitting in a chair or on a couch. Bean Bag Chairs: Timeless or Passé? |
3/9/12 10:56 AM |
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I have a rose garden of 5 Floribunda and 2 Grandiflora rose bushes on my apartment terrace. They grow in 24" diameter plastic planters. They require regular watering and fertilizing, but it's really nice having a rose garden in the sky. Gardening without a Garden: 10 Ideas for Your Patio or Balcony Renters Solutions |
3/8/12 2:41 PM |
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I've replaced so many things in my apartment that I've lost count. As for choosing what to replace, there is an assessment one has to do before making changes, especially permanent ones. Will the benefit derived from the change over your expected tenancy outweigh the cost and effort to make the change? For permanent changes, will the cost of the change be forfeitable? The biggest changes I've made are replacing inefficient wall air conditioners with better units, (reducing my electric bill), restructuring all the closets from builder grade hardware to wire shelving and replacing the shower/tub valves with scald-proof models. As for all the other changes and replacements, light switches/wall plates, kitchen faucet, light fixtures, shower heads, ceiling fans, etc; all those items can be restored to their original condition or I can leave them due to their low cost. Reversible Upgrades: Things to Temporarily Change in a Rental |
3/5/12 5:03 PM |
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Unfortunately, Minotaur Wunderland may not be the world's largest model train layout, yet. Northlandz in Flemington, New Jersey houses a model railroad in a lartger space, 52,000 square feet, with 50,000 linear feet of HO scale track alone. Miniatur Wunderland: The Largest Model Railway in the World |
3/1/12 3:29 PM |
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Although I like the basic design of the space and building, I have some problems with its function. The first, why are there wires and extension cords running on top of and beneath the desk? Was the space not constructed with sufficient and well located electrical receptacles? Secondly, with items stacked (i.e. lamp on top of humidor) on the ends of the desk and floor, I question why task lighting and storage were not integrated with the space. Usually when one designs a workspace, file storage and places for printers, cpus and other equipment are well concealed or integrated within the design, rather than hung from an under-desk bracket or shoved in a corner. The desktop appears unusually thick, which unless Mr. Williams has a tall torso, could prove uncomfortable to sit at for long time periods. I don't understand why the HVAC unit was hung on the wall instead of being better integrated into the building with only air vents and a thermostat visible. Joey's Small and Spacious Modern Abode Tech Tour |
3/1/12 2:56 PM |
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An important improvement to any kitchen is task lighting. Install halogen or LED lighting beneath your upper cabinets to increase the light levels on your countertops. Most kits can be plugged into a nearby outlet or wired into your wall switches. To make the lighting more accessible you can plug the lighting runs into a radio controlled module, controlled by a battery powered wall switch locatable anywhere in the room. The same can be done with accent lighting such as rope lighting. Stringing runs of it on top of the cabinets against the walls will give the room more visual height. Running it on the underside of the lower cabinet toekicks visually expands the room and provides dramatic night lighting. What Next For This Move-in-Ready Kitchen? Good Questions |
2/8/12 12:48 PM |
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One important laundry innovation that was overlooked is the ventless, condensation dryer. This type of dryer, available from the major European manufacturers, does not need venting, instead, moisture generated by the drying process is collected in a bucket like a dehumidifier, or pumped out into a nearby drain. If you're willing to put up with the higher humidity levels, a 120 volt electric dryer need not be vented outdoors. For many years my dryer vented into a lint catcher box in the closet where it was stored. Renovation Project Planning: Tips for Fitting a Laundry into a Bathroom |
2/3/12 4:58 PM |
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As much as I advocate consumer safety and prudence, especially since it happens to be my professional job, I think it’s also important not to overreact when someone expresses interest in an item you’re selling and they happen to be a little far away. Whenever I travel, I always peruse the area’s Craigslist for items I’m seeking and I am currently shopping for items that I would have no problem driving up to 600 miles from home to buy, fortunately, I’ve not yet had to travel that far for something. Get Smart: How To Avoid the Top 3 Online Shopping Scams |
2/3/12 10:53 AM |