The table is done and I’m blown away. In the words of Bernie Van De Yacht, who said the same thing about his North Hollywood kitchen remodel, “I can’t stop looking at it.” You can see from the photo on the bottom right what I started out with: an old workbench that had been out…
UPDATE: See the finished table I feel like quite the artist as I transform an old workbench destined for the dump pile into a dual-purpose buffet and work table for my patio. See here how it all started and how it progressed. Here’s the latest: 1. The table took on a nice patina when I…
I’ve got plans set for transforming the workshop table on my patio. Thanks in part to the suggestions you offered here and here, this table won’t end up in a dump pile, but will live on. It’s an old work table my husband Bill built at some point, and it’s the perfect size to use…
I’ve always known my 85-year-old mother-in-law was pretty cool, but still I wasn’t sure how she would react to my new house colors: barn red with green trim. After all, Jody once owned this house, bought with her now-deceased husband in 1986 as a place for them to retire. And it was she who painted…
I'm looking for a new attitude for this table project and all projects to come. Up until now, my favorite parts of a project have been the moment I decide to do it, and the moment it's done. I want to learn how to savor the process, that stuff in between. For this table (yes…
I'm a hypocrite when it comes to the "dump pile" out behind Bill's workshop. While I've been critical of that pile over the years, and begged Bill to get rid of it, I also have no trouble adding to it. And it came to pass that I wanted to toss this table in the pile.…
Thanks for all the advice on my exterior paint. I feel much better about the weird green trim. And by that I mean: I know I can change it and it's not the end of the world. I appreciate your kindness! Here's what I did right: • Contractor: I hired a painting contractor who was…
A friend sent me a link this morning from TMZ showing (supposedly) the interior of Phil Spector’s home, sometimes referred to as “The Castle.” What’s eerie to note is that the predominant interior color in his house (maroon) seems to be the same color I painted the exterior of my house. My color is called…
The red I’ve chosen for my house is absolutely awesome. Perfect. Fills me with joy. But the green trim? I’m not sure it’s the perfect color. But there’s something I like about it, love it actually, but in limited amounts. Here are the three scenarios we’re considering: 1. Lots of green, on the fascia, around…
If you have a deserving DIY-er on your holiday gift list, one of these new small cordless screw guns is a cool way to go. Bosch came out with its little 10.8-volt Pocket Drive powerhouse less than two years ago. Designed to fit in a construction worker’s tool belt, it will drive 300 3-inch screws…