A Home Depot Workshop Your Kids Will Love

Posted by Ayana Glaze on February 3rd, 2012 | Make A Comment

Bring your children to the February Home Depot workshop

It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Time to wrap up those diamond rings, flowers, dinners for two, romantic getaways and those DIY Valentine’s gifts. While you are enjoying the fruits of love’s labor, don’t forget about the kiddies.

Yes! Those little angels, who capture our hearts from the moment we set our eyes on them, love Valentine’s Day, too.

Forum associate AboveAverageJoe shares a great way to bond with your children and help them celebrate Valentine’s Day: Bring them to February Home Depot workshop for kids on Saturday, February 4 where they will make a keepsake box. They will have tons of fun making this keepsake box, and they will beam with pride when they give this handmade gift on Valentine’s Day.

Kids age 5-12 can attend this free workshop on this Saturday, February 4 from 9 am to noon. AboveAverageJoe recommends arriving early to get set-up and ready to create. Take a look at this crafty associate’s video in the post How to Make a Keepsake Box.

Editor’s Note: Want more advice from our experts? Join the conversation. Visit The Forum for DIY tips and tricks from our Store Associates. From the Forum Friday is our weekly column highlighting expert advice.

DIY Valentines Gifts for Your Sweetie: #3 Grills, Baby Grills

Posted by Ayana Glaze on February 3rd, 2012 | Make A Comment

Day 3 of 14: DIY Valentine’s Gifts for your Sweetheart finds our writers discussing great Home Depot products or projects for gift ideas. In today’s edition, “do-it-yourself” applies to outdoor cooking. Ayana speaks up for the non-grilling public as Thomas introduces two grill choices. 

Shop gas grills and charcoal grill at The Home Depot

 

Ayana:  A new grill can make a fantastic Valentine’s Day gift for the outdoor chef in your life. But in most couples there’s the one who grills, and the one sips a cool drink and offers encouragement while the grilling happens. There are a lot of different kinds of grills out there, and a lot of drink sippers and encouragers like me have no idea what their grill-loving partners might like.

Thomas:  Grilling is a highly developed skill, and having the right grill for the job is important. And you’ve got your BTU’s to consider, cooking space, fuel… It’s a big topic.

Ayana: And that’s exactly what I’m talking about. A lot of folks get intimidated by all those fancy specs. As long as it cooks juicy ribs (and I’m not doing the cooking), I’m good. We still need to narrow this down somehow.

Thomas: I’d suggest deciding whether you want a portable grill, or a larger model that will stay put. I have a couple in mind, either of which would be guaranteed to be a hit with even the most discerning outdoor chef.

 

Coleman Portable Grill

If you decide to go with a portable grill, consider Coleman’s Road Trip Portable Grill. It features 285 square-inches of cooking space powered by 2 adjustable 20,000 BTU burners. That’s enough space (and heat) to make a full meal for two or more people. Best of all, it is easy to transport via collapsible frame and built-in side handles. It is great for tailgating or romantic picnics at the park.

 

 

Charbroil gas grillIf you’d rather a large grill with all the bells and whistles, you can’t go wrong with Char-Broil’s Red Gourmet Infrared Grill With Outdoor Stove makes traditional gas grills obsolete. TRU-infrared heats food directly, locking in mouthwatering juices and flavors. The Outdoor Stove Side Burner is 13,000 BTU’s and the all-Stainless Steel surface is as beautiful as they come.

 

 

 

Ayana: I can see the appeal of being able to take the grill out and about. Just make sure I have a comfortable place to sit.

There does seem to be a connection, too, between dedicated outdoor cooks and fancy gear. That infrared one certainly has that going for it. But you had me at “mouth watering flavors.”

We’ve determined that, when it comes to DIY Valentine’s gifts, a grill can be a big hit with the right sweetie.

This helps a lot, but I’m kind of thinking that as long as it’s new and shiny, a grill is going to be a hit with the outdoor cooking enthusiasts.

Thomas: I would never admit to that. (But yeah.)

There’s plenty more advice, too, at The Home Depot’s Grill Buying Guide.

Editor’s Note: If men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, how can you choose the best Valentine’s Gift for someone on the other planet? Our DIY Valentine’s Gifts series highlights 14 great Home Depot gift ideas for your sweetie.

 

Places: Living Rooms In Navy Colors

Posted by Jae Warren on February 2nd, 2012 | Make A Comment

Navy blue livingroom image

Living rooms tend to serve multiple functions in the modern home. It is the symbolic center of the home; it is also a place of privacy and retreat, as well as a common space for family and entertainment. Choosing the right color of paint for this all-important room often involves striking a balance between what speaks to your unique personal tastes and the style of your home’s decor, versus something that best suits the needs and function of the space.

Navy blue is a surprisingly warm, versatile and elegant shade that has been spotted by many trend experts as a breakthrough neutral color for home decor in 2012. And no, “neutral” was no typo, because as you will see, navy plays well with a broad range of colors and any style of home – classic, contemporary or modern (via apartment therapy).

 

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Break Out the Portable Heaters: The Groundhog Saw His Shadow!

Posted by Ayana Glaze on February 2nd, 2012 | One Comment
Lifesmart Portable Heaters at The Home Depot

Photo from Electric Fireplace Source

 

Groundhog Day is here, and Punxsatawney Phil has spoken (sort of). Six more weeks of winter weather is on the ticket. Winter is going to come back with a vengeance. Be prepared with a portable heater from The Home Depot.

Confused about portable heaters? Not sure which one to buy? Here are a few portable heaters to consider.

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You Tube Thursdays: Duct Tape Flowers

Posted by Shaina Oliphant on February 2nd, 2012 | Make A Comment

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Do you know what you’re going to give that special person in your life yet? If either you or your sweetie is a DIYer at heart, consider ditching those old standby roses and make a single (or bouquet!) of unique duct tape flowers instead.

In this video ChristineClaret, our very own Home Depot expert associate, will walk you through all the steps it takes to complete this project. All you need is a straw, duct tape, scissors and this video, and you’ll be well on your way to making this a very memorable Valentine’s Day. For even more cool and unique project ideas, visit Christine and our other associates at The Home Depot How-To Community Forum.

Editor’s Note: Want more videos? Catch up with YouTube Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Meet The Material: Chicken Wire

Posted by Jae Warren on February 2nd, 2012 | Make A Comment

 Chicken Wire Chandelier image

What is chicken wire? Chicken wire, also called poultry netting, is a mesh of thin, flexible galvanized wire with hexagonal gaps (Wikipedia). The wire is woven together by a massive loom called a Gambion machine, which makes oddly musical, hypnotically rhythmic sounds as it weave its magic.

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DIY Valentine’s Gifts for Your Sweetheart: #2 Wood Block Photo

Posted by Shaina Oliphant on February 2nd, 2012 | Make A Comment
Day 2 of 14: DIY Valentine’s Gifts for your Sweetheart finds our writers discussing great Home Depot products or projects for gift ideas. In today’s edition, Shaina shows Craig a do-it-yourself way to make a photo extra special without testing his sketchy tool skills. 

 

Craig:  I hear that giving your sweetie a photo of yourself is a great gift for Valentine’s Day. I know my wife loves me, but a photo of my ugly mug? That seems more appropriate for Halloween.

Shaina:  She probably married you because of your mug, Craig. But why don’t you make it a little more interesting and personal by mounting it on a cool wood block?

Trust me, she’ll love it.  It’s a unique DIY Valentine’s gift, and it’s easy to make.

All you have to do is go to your local Home Depot store and have an 8×10 wood block cut for you. Then just mount on a picture of you with wood glue and voila! Try using a nice photo of you two together during a memorable trip or use a favorite photo of the whole family.

Craig: Excellent idea. It’s inexpensive and easy to make, even for a tool klutz like me. And it does indeed add a personal touch, which will make it more special than just sticking the photo in a frame.

And since I’ll probably use a photo from our photo album I don’t have to get dressed up for a formal portrait!

Shaina: Well, you do still have to get dressed up for Valentine’s Day dinner… but let’s not worry about that right now. Check The Home Depot’s selection for picturing hanging hardware if you think she’d like to mount it to a wall. You’re bound to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Editor’s Note: If men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, how can you choose the best Valentine’s Gift for someone on the other planet? Our DIY Valentine’s Gifts series highlights 14 great Home Depot gift ideas for your sweetie.


DIY Valentine’s Gifts for Your Sweetheart: #1 Getting a Grip

Posted by Caroline Inge on February 1st, 2012 | 4 Comments
Champagne Glasses with red plasti-dip coating

 

Day 1 of 14: DIY Valentine’s Gifts for your Sweetheart finds our writers discussing great Home Depot products or projects for gift ideas. In today’s segment, Caroline and Jae find romance in a red goo. 

 

Caroline:  I was wandering around in Home Depot the other day when I ran across this really cool stuff that could make a great DIY Valentine’s gift. It’s a rubberized protective coating product called Plasti Dip.

Jae: That doesn’t sound as good as a Get Out of Valentine’s Day Free card, but I’m intrigued. You found this rubber stuff called Plasti Dip, and it made you think of Valentine’s Day? OK, Cupid what’s the idea?

Caroline: The idea is to buy some Plasti Dip in red—for Valentine’s Day—and use it to upgrade the handles of your sweetheart’s pliers and socket wrenches. It’s a really easy do-it-yourself project. Just dip the handles in the Plasti Dip, let them dry, and then give them a second application to give the grips an extra layer of comfort. The tools will handle like new, with a nice non-slip grip.

Jae: I don’t know if I’d want you dipping my tools in plastic goo. This DIY Valentine’s Gift sounds like a honey-do-Valentine’s-Day surprise gone wrong to me.

Caroline:  Let’s just say there’s nothing wrong with giving the DIYer in the house a little incentive to start a remodeling project he or she has been putting off. And actually the Plasti Dip works great.

Plasti-dip coating for tools

 

Jae:  Actually, having seen the results, your Valentine’s Day gift idea isn’t bad.

But I think you’re missing a chance to make your gift something special, and even more festive: use that red Plasti-Dip on a couple of champagne glasses and pair them some roses and a bottle of bubbly.

The process is the same: in the Plasti Dip, let them dry, and then give them a second application.

 


 

It looks cool, and it protects the glasses. And best of all, it makes the glasses match the roses.

 

Plasti-dip coating for champagne glasses

Caroline:  Sounds like the whole “Too Cool for Romance” persona you’ve been cultivating is starting to go a little soft.

Jae: Let’s not jump to conclusions here. I’m still looking for a Get Out of Valentine’s Day Free card, but this project is pretty close to that.

Editor’s Note: If men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, how can you choose the best Valentine’s Gift for someone on the other planet? Our DIY Valentine’s Gifts series highlights 14 great Home Depot gift ideas for your sweetie.

Make Storage Solutions Pretty

Posted by Caroline Inge on January 31st, 2012 | Make A Comment

Day 31 of 31 Days, 31 Ways to Get Organized: My final organizing tip of the month is not clever, just important. When you’re organizing, make storage solutions look pretty! When you’re organizing your linen closet or kitchen pantry, keep the style of the rest of your home in mind and do your best to make sure that function and frills work together. 

Pretty closet

Image from Houzz

[Editor's Note: 31 Days, 31 Ways to Get Organized is a series featuring clever storage and organization tips that will help you clean house in the new year]

You Tube Tuesdays: Installing A Bath Fan

Posted by Shaina Oliphant on January 31st, 2012 | Make A Comment

Sufficient airflow is extremely important to maintaining a healthy home, especially in the bathroom. The proper flow of air can prevent harmful mold and mildew from growing as a result of water and humidity. Airflow also has the added benefit of keeping your bathroom beautiful by preventing warped doors and peeling paint and wallpaper.

Watch this video for great tips on how to easily install a bath fan so you can keep that air moving and your bathroom safe. You will learn about important issues like whether you need to fully replace your fan or whether it just needs an upgrade, as well as how to calculate the proper cubic foot per minute for sufficient airflow. Visit homedepot.com where you can find everything you need for your bathroom, including bath fans, vanities, tubs and showere, and much more!

If you have any questions about product selection, installation, or anything home improvement-related for that matter, be sure to ask our expert associates at The Home Depot How-To Community Forum.

Editor’s Note: Want more videos? Catch up with YouTube Tuesdays and Thursdays!