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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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 |
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There are several things I would do with this wall. First, get rid of the red paint. The wall should be painted the same color as the other painted walls in the room. If it is painted, consider painting the fireplace and mantel a noticeable but subtle, muted, off-white color. Avoid contrasting bright colors because the attention created by the color contrast causes the wall to compete with the brick wall on the opposite side of the room, as it does now, creating tension. Hivemind Designer: What Would You Do With This Wall? |
1/25/12 4:32 PM |
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I'm a little late with this comment, but I was on vacation the week your question was posted. Hopefully, if you chose to paint procrastination got the best of you. To Paint or Not To Paint Heirloom Dresser? Good Questions |
12/30/11 9:45 AM |
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My remedy for city stress is to escape the city by taking my car or motorcycle on a 1/2 or full day trip outside of it. Pick a small town and/or scenic drive (Skyline Blvd. to Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz) and go explore. The fresh air, change of scenery, and relaxed atmosphere are a perfect remedy. Bring your camera and photograph some of what you saw, then frame the pictures on your walls at home and work as a memory of a great day and the beautiful world outside the city. Urban Exhaustion: How Do You Handle It? |
11/1/11 3:17 PM |
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I partially agree with Amarie. Since the space is only 28" wide, you can hang the shelves from strips of wood mounted on the nook's sides, rather than its entire perimeter. (Additional support across the back of the nook will likely not be needed). Help Me Achieve Floating Shelves in This Nook? Good Questions |
10/31/11 2:46 PM |
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Your biggest issue is addressing the water leakage. Water leakage around a chimney is frequently due to failure of roof flashing which seals the joint between the roof and the perimeter of your chimney where it penetrates the roof. If this joint fails, water will enter the home and soak your chimney, roof structure, insulation, wiring, and adjacent ceilings and walls. Persistent water infiltration will quickly destroy the infrastructure of your home. How Can I Check for Mold in Ceiling? Good Questions |
10/20/11 10:00 AM |
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Your changes are nice. And having your desk at a window is a good idea, nobody wants to look at a wall while working. My own desk is built around and under a large window. The Evolution of One Man's Home Office |
10/18/11 1:06 PM |
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The $99 design consultation discounted fee likely buys a single 1-4 hour in-home consultation. If you're simply rearranging a room, adding furniture or changing your decor, this could be a great deal. Alternatively if you're considering a renovation or major work, it's efectively a come-on designed to impress you so you'll continue with their services at full price. Since you have to live with the results, selecting and hiring a designer for a major project is an involved process which should be carefully considered and not driven by the availability of a discount. Discount Interior Design Deals: Would You Have Bought It? |
10/4/11 11:25 AM |
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In addition, there are other tubular skylight manufacturers or you may have simply seen a very well engineered conventional skylight. Bring Sunlight in with Mirror Lighting System? Good Questions |
9/30/11 9:32 AM |
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Not from LA, but of the places I've visited so far, I do like the Gehry designed Disney Hall most. October is Architecture Month in Los Angeles |
9/29/11 11:53 AM |
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I agree with acrat. Unless you loose your keys, you cannot lock yourself out of your home with a deadbolt lock, as the key must be used to lock the door from the outside. Where Do You Keep Your Spare Key? |
9/27/11 3:05 PM |
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I want that and a spiral slide in my house. One of a Kind DIY: Kevin's Ball Pit on a Balcony |
9/27/11 2:59 PM |
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Will Ikea do the same resizing with the Lack shelves and storage units? I recall the shelves are also 11" deep. IKEA Redesigning BILLY for Changing Book Market |
9/14/11 2:52 PM |
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I would collect artglass. But instead of having vast display cabinets of it like a museum, I would have a small storage displays with the bulk of the collection carefully integrated into and among the home's interior furnishings. What's Your Dream Collection? |
9/9/11 10:11 AM |
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I've both hired movers and asked friends to help move me. I think most people ask their friends for moving help when they can't afford professionals or are afraid of experiencing a moving nightmare. Today, If I had to move, I would likely hire movers and ask friends to help me with the packing. A Moving Story: Friends or Professionals? |
9/8/11 10:14 AM |
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As several people have noted, what you do to your apartment depends on the money, time and energy available. Be it painting, window treatments, shelving, etc. you should do those changes you feel you are capable of easily accomplishing. I've heard of wealthy people hiring contractors and decorating apartments they would only occupy for 6 months. The landlord doesn't mind because they get a fabulously decorated apartment after the person moves out. First Home Advice: Where Do Renters Draw the Line? |
8/30/11 3:30 PM |
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In my first apartment I sanded and painted my cheap, cheezy plywood kitchen cabinets high gloss black and installed chrome door pulls. Because the kitchen was miniscule, the black cabinets set the room's color and tone. The window treatments were also high gloss black 1" blinds. The countertops and appliances were white, and the floor was a light brown vinyl tile whose bland ugliness was suppressed with a light grey kitchen rug. A light bluish-greyish speckled random pattern wallpaper on the walls and backsplash helped mute the white/black contrast. Though I might not do this today if I found myself in a similar apartment, the changes worked incredibly well at the time. Trend Spotting: Black Walls |
8/24/11 9:39 AM |
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These examples are why people organize into tenant's associations and why the people still dealing with poor situations need to get active. Most of the conditions described violate the apartment lease, municipal and state housing/building codes, and health regulations. Instead of putting up with "scuzziness", start writing letters to your landlord describing the unacceptable conditions and if that doesn't work call and/or write your state and municipal governments. Unless the property owner is a slumlord, most neglectful landlords will begin fixing their property once they get a letter from you, or call, nastygram, or fine from a government agency. Don't accept the poor conditions and never accept no for an answer. Nice Apartment, Nasty Building: Is it Worth It? |
8/11/11 3:27 PM |