home + garden
Welcome to Homegirls. You'll find a sassy sampling of décor and design tips, frank conversation about everything from holidays and homekeeping to home improvement and our picks and pans of new products, stores and events.
Contributors: Kim Palmer, Lynn Underwood, Connie Nelson, Kim Ode and Nicole Hvidsten.
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Posts about Home Improvement
Organized exercise
Posted by: Lynn Underwood Updated: January 4, 2013 - 2:03 PM
It’s a new year and everyone has a new mission list.
What’s at the top of mine? You guessed it -- get organized and get more exercise.
Ugh. Still, I’m committed to making a dent in those messy closets, stuffed toy totes and overflowing files. As well as block out time to burn more calories every day. But how will I squeeze in “Nashville” and “The Good Wife?”
I came up with a brilliant idea: declutter and work out at the same time.
Task: Drive to a store to buy a label maker, a must-have miracle gadget, says every organization expert.
Workout: Park really far away and walk to the entrance and then back to the car three times.
Task: Pull out towels, hair products, boxes of saline solution and Kleenex out of the hall closet and organize it all in labeled totes.
Workout: Do jumping jacks for one minute.
Task: Bend over file drawers, culling income tax records from 10 years ago to make room to file new paperwork from three years ago.
Workout: Bend down and touch my toes 20 times.
Task: Sift through toy bins to determine what to keep and what to donate.
Workout: Do 10 squats by bending my knees and lowering my body into a squat position as if I were sitting in an imaginary chair. Make sure I keep my knees above my ankles.
Task: Clean the basement storage closet of “what was I thinking” ugly home accessories that will never, ever grace a coffeetable again.
Workout: Stand an arm’s length from the workbench top and do 20 standing push-ups.
Task: Lug boxes of storage stuff down the basement stairs.
Workout: Run up and down the stairs 5 times.
That’s my plan and I’m sticking to it — at least until Feb. 1.
What are some of your strategies for making your home clutter-free in the winter of 2013?
Taking Christmas lists to new heights
Posted by: Nicole Hvidsten Updated: December 12, 2012 - 8:58 AMA decade ago the top of my Christmas list read like a Tiffany's ad -- I wanted all things sparkly and shiny. Last year, I wanted warm boots. This year? I could really use an extension ladder.
Over the years I've found that not only has my Christmas list changed, I have as well. The material things aren't nearly as important as spending time with the people that matter most to me, and as we've gone through several belt-tightening measures, my list has become more practical than fanciful (hence the warm boots). And my list is more home-centric than ever. Although practicality usually rules my Christmas list and pocketbook, it sure doesn't hurt to dream. So, just in case a certain someone might be reading:
Dear Santa:
I'm sure you remember me -- we're the ones who usually have to rely on generous friends and sometimes elves of the Keebler variety to leave a solid treat on Christmas Eve. Despite that, I am hoping I've earned a place on the "nice" list this year. If I do, here's my list for you to consider:
Sitting pretty: My son's bout with the flu last week makes a new couch high on the list.
Candice Olsen designed this couch, which would look great in my house.
Nailed it: My parents gave me a sweet electric sander a few years back. I love it. But it would be great to have a small nail gun to accompany it. My only request: no compressors. They intimidate me.
Upsizing: Vaulted ceilings and stupidly placed light fixtures are sometimes the bain of my existence. An extension ladder would help me reach new heights -- literally -- and will come in handy as I start in painting the ENTIRE interior of my house over the next year.
Storage wars: I've been searching high and low for a cabinet to that could become a make-shift pantry. Should you see something, 31 inches wide is what I need.
Counter fit: I love the burn rings and stains on the light gray countertop that mark my children's kitchen adventures, but they're growing up, so shouldn't my countertops follow suit?
Safe travels on the sleigh, and we'll actually try for homemade treats this year.
XXOO, Nicole
Homes of the 1 percent
Posted by: Kim Palmer Updated: December 11, 2012 - 12:05 PM
As a reporter who writes mostly about homes and gardens, I don't get a lot of hate mail or angry phone calls. Nothing like the days when I covered city hall and could expect at least one or two a day.
Life is calmer, but I have sometimes wondered if anyone -- other than my mother -- is reading my stories at all, or just glancing at the pretty pictures.
But homes, in this economy, are a lot more controversial than they used to be. Just this week, the Star Tribune published two letters from readers critical of the Homes section. Here's today's: "Opening this section makes me sick. I am usually not a bitter person, but I can only wonder how anyone can afford this stuff." (http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/182904101.html)
I also fielded a few annoyed phone calls last month when we published a story about pianist Lorie Line's $4 million lakeshore mansion, and then, three days later, a story about it heading into foreclosure. (www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/179217631.html)
Featuring rich people's houses is "rubbing it in readers' noses" that they will never live like that, one caller told me.
For what it's worth, we do try to feature a mix of houses -- big and small, expensive and modest -- as well as overall home-related trends that affect everyone. When we do have a grandiose home in our section, we try to balance it with another story about something more accessible.
Before the recession, big, expensive homes rarely generated comment. And their owners were, on the whole, happy to share them with readers.
The faltering economy changed that dramatically. Affluent homeowners got a lot more reluctant to showcase their affluence when so many others were struggling. When we did feature a big, expensive house, we got a lot more negative feedback.
Last week, I had lunch with a freelance writer who told me she's changing her focus. "I can't write about rich peope's houses anymore," she said.
Me, I'm still fascinated by all the spaces we call "home" and the people who create them. I love the quirky starving artists' homes and the freedom they feel to glue rocks to their woodwork and paint murals on their ceilings. I love the elegant old mansions, and the sleek modern dwellings. I even loved the "punk house" I wrote about a few years ago, where a bunch of young musicians were staging shows in their filthy basement.
How about you? Are you sick of seeing homes that you can't personally afford? Or do you like peeking inside all kinds of homes?
Holiday push
Posted by: Lynn Underwood Updated: December 7, 2012 - 3:11 PM
I had all year to get new carpet in the living and dining rooms, but waited until right before Christmas to start hunting for it. I guess I got used to seeing that big gray stain next to the dining table and the rust blob from spilled water under the plant stand. But I sure don’t want anyone else to see them.
Inviting people over for holiday gatherings is a better motivator than Tony Robbins. The looming deadline pushes me to get my home rejuvenation projects all wrapped up.
Last year, I replaced ny nonfunctioning old stove with a new one the day before my pals came over for our annual Christmas cookie bake. It's easy to get energized when the end result is fresh-baked cookies.
This year, I really need a push. In the 12 days before Christmas, I’ll be pondering frieze, cut and loop pile and saxony at the carpet stores. Then moving furniture for the carpet installer. That’s on top of grocery and gift shopping, cooking baking, cleaning, and of course, making my house merry and bright.
I have friends who waited to remodel outdated bathrooms and kitchens until right before they threw a big graduation party. For my son's graduation bash, I plan to put in a big concrete patio and plant lovely landscaping in the backyard.
But there's no hurry. I have until May 2015 — that’s when he graduates.
Do you procrastinate? What are some home projects you’ve accomplished in a short time under the gun?
Fix your own stuff
Posted by: Kim Ode Updated: December 3, 2012 - 10:07 AM
Too many of us have bought into the marketing message that we live in a disposable economy. "Planned obsolescence" is a ploy, sure, but also a way to drive industry or support business, right? Besides, who knows how to fix a toaster anyway?
Nancy Lo knows. Even better, she knows all sorts of people who know how to rewire lamps, fix a broken zipper, troubleshoot a computer or solder a pipe. But here's the best news of all: They want to teach you how!
Hennepin County Environmental Services is hosting its third monthly Fix-It Clinic on Dec. 8 -- that's this Saturday -- from 1-5 p.m. at The Mill, 2300 Kennedy St. NE, Minneapolis. The idea is to reduce the amount of stuff that gets thrown in the trash, most of which just takes up space, but some also can leak nasty gunk into the ground and our water.
Mostly, though, the clinic are about achieving some skills. But Lo's challenge has been drumming up awareness in the clinic -- and in instilling some confidence in people. "We have plenty of volunteers who can teach people how to fix a sewing machine or a blender, but we need more people bringing stuff in to fix."
Some of the items fixed at previous clinics include a telephone headset, antique radio, toaster oven, toy helicopter, laptop, paper shredder, flashlight, boombox, remote control, camping lantern and electric hot water kettle.
Lo said there also are folks on hand to help with sewing projects, whether it's a broken zipper, or a sagging hemline.
The subtext in these clinics is empowerment. Quite simply, it's cool to know how to fix things. It's cool not to feel dependent upon others, or to offer up some help yourself. A sense of self-sufficiency can't be underestimated.
Plus, you save money.
So this week, look around the house and grab that wonky hair dryer that's been sitting on the shelf, because sometimes it works -- for a while. Decide you're no longer willing to put up with a toaster that toasts on one side, or an iron that's lost its steam function.
Bring it to the experts, and in so doing, stand a fair chance of becoming an expert yourself. Or, at the very least, a little more useful around the house.
WORDS FOR THE WISE: The Mill is in an industrial area in northeast Minneapolis, and a little tricky to find -- but a truly fascinating place to know about, even beyond the Fix-it Clinic. From Hennepin Av. E, go north on Stinson Blvd., then west on Kennedy St. NE. You'll see a big sign in a rather featureless-looking building.
For more details, a good map, and dates of future clinics, visit www.hennepin.us/FixItClinic.
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recent posts
- Organized exercise
- 2013: A year of possibilities
- Can we be done decking the halls now?
- Learning to let go
- Defying tradition
- Decorating rebel
- Taking Christmas lists to new heights
- Homes of the 1 percent
- Green chic
- Holiday push
- Cast-off couture
- Fix your own stuff
- Five-minute holiday decorating
- Year in review, home-improvement style
- Memories make odd ornaments precious
- Deck the halls, eventually
- Holiday entertaining: The clean before the storm
- Let there be light
- The curse of an open floor plan
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