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July 22, 2014 in Uncategorized

Custom Bay Window Seat

Maybe you’re looking to add some seating to your living room. Or maybe you want to sit comfortably, drink your morning coffee and look out the window at the morning sky. No matter what your reason, a window bench seat can be a great addition to your home. To build your own may take a few days, but it is a creative solution for any room in your home.

This kitchen bay window, was wasted space until it was transformed in to a custom bay window seat.

Before getting started on your project, you will have to run a few errands for supplies. You will need some 1/4″ and 1/2″ plywood boards and several pressure treated 2X4’s for the frame and supports. Hardware for the storage drawer, white paint and paint brushes will also be required. For the cushion, you will need pre-cut memory foam and a durable fabric of your choosing.

First you should lay your first 2X4 on the outer edge of where your window seat will be. You will want to make sure that it is securely attached to the floor as it will be providing much of the support for the bench. Then you will want to cut the remaining 2X4’s to size to form the frame. This requires 3 other boards to frame the floor area by the window. Using an impact drill and wood screws, you should attach 8 boards vertically to meet the window sills, 3 boards to frame the window sills and another 4 boards to provide support for the cushion.

After the supports are all in place, you will want to use a circular and miter saw to fit the plywood boards of both the top and front of the seat. You will want to cut out 2 squares for the storage underneath the seat. You will want to add wood filler in the storage areas as well for more support.

For a more clean cut look, you can attach trim to the top and bottom of the window seat. Then you can start applying paint of your choosing, though I would suggest matching it to the color of the windows in your home.

Finishing corners adds style and elegance to any remodeling project. A trim joining the base with the floor creates a beautiful finishing touch.

To finish up the project, you will add the door to the storage area. Attach the door to your window seat and screw in the hardware you bought earlier in the process. After upholstering the memory foam with the fabric you chose, you place it on top the seat. For added protection, spray some waterproofing solution on the cushion.

Though not for the faint of heart, this is a project doable even for the novice DIY-er. For a step-by-step guide on this project, check out Reddit user JacobVandagriff ‘s imgur album.

And for your more intense home projects, call Chicago Handyman for low prices for all your home improvement needs.

Custom Bay window seat

July 19, 2014 in Uncategorized

Mural Painting Brings Rooms to Life

Finished product by loganza

No matter how big or small, no room in your house should ever be called boring. And if you don't have the budget or time to pick out some eclectic furniture or interesting artwork, a feature wall just might be for you. With a clear vision and bit of paint you can breathe some life back into your ignored walls.

Taping off design by loganza

When choosing the room in your house to add a feature wall to, make sure that the other 3 walls are painted with a neutral or muted color. You don't want houseguests to be distracted from all your hard work! Choose the wall that you want your eye to be drawn to and get started.

First, you're going to want to get your materials together. Depending on how intricate the design you choose, you might need more supplies. For any scale of work you will need a pencil to sketch out the design, painter's tape to define where the design will be painted and the various colors of paint you will want to use.

Next, you will need to choose your design. For example, Reddit user, loganza, wanted a more geometric design. But whether you're an artist or a mural novice, you will want to draw your design with a pencil and a straight edge yardstick. Getting the measurements evenly distributed will definitely be the hardest part, but will make the painting later much easier.

Adding blue to the design by loganza

Once you have the design all drawn out, you will want to tape out all the sections. You can do this all at once or as you paint each section. Choose bright colors that compliment each other as well as the other walls in the room.

After all the painting is done, peel off the tape and allow the paint to dry.

And voila! You now have a feature mural that any homeowner could be proud of!

Adding the orange accent by loganza

Need multiple rooms in your house painted? Give us a call for a free estimate on all your Chicago Mural Painting needs.

July 13, 2014 in Uncategorized

Enhancing Your Bedroom For Just $50!

Finished product by immaverb

Not everyone can afford to create a luxurious, top-of-the-line bedroom oasis. However, for those of us renovating on a budget, there’s a simple way to add some indulgence to your master or guest bedrooms. With just a few simple steps, you can make your own extravagant headboard and add some hotel flair at a motel cost.

And all you need is $50! These are the items you’ll need: a particle board fitting the width of your mattress frame, five 2-by-6 boards, spray adhesive, painter’s tape, a durable fabric of your choosing and to add some glamour, like this Reddit user, immaverb, purchase some strip beading to define a border for your headboard.

This task is also amendable for any skillset. From a contributor to Better Homes & Gardens to someone who just mastered how to hit a nail with a hammer, anyone can create their own lavish headboard.

Constructing the frame by immaverb

Once you’ve measured your particle board to size, adhere the five 2-by-6 boards to function as the supports frames and legs. Apply spray adhesive to the front of the head board, add a layer of foam and keep adding until you reach the consistency you desire. Don’t forget to wrap it around the frame or you could end up with a pretty sloppy design. Once all the foam has been added, go ahead and staple it to the frame for extra support. Add the fabric and staple it to the back of the board’s frame, making sure to smooth out any wrinkles in the fabric. And presto, you got yourself a headboard!

Prepping for beading by immaverb

Don’t think I forgot about you classier DIY-ers: To add the strip beading, all you need to do is secure painters tape around the edges of the headboard to ensure a straight line and add the beading as directed.

And installation? That’s the easiest part! Place it behind your bed frame and let the weight of the bed do the rest.

Take a step back and admire your work. In less than a day’s time, you’ve added sophisticated to the adjectives that could be used to describe your bedroom.

And if you’re still looking to add more glitz to your bedroom after this project, check out Chicago Handyman’s deals on home improvement.

Beading by immaverb

Click here for a step-by-step photo gallery for this project.

July 9, 2014 in Uncategorized

How to Gain Access to a Locked Interior Door

Many times with interior bedroom and bathroom doors, a bit of absent mindedness can leave the door locked from thew inside. Before kicking that door in, listed below are a few ways to gain access to a locked interior door.

Use a bobby pin or a paper clip to unlock the door. Interior door handles are equipped with a simple locking mechanism. A unique key is not necessary as with exterior doors. A long slender stick of any kind will release the lock and allow you to open the door.
Use a credit card. As seen on TV and Movies, you can use a credit card to gain access. Slide a card in between the door and the jamb above or below the latch. Move the card toward the latch at a 30 degree angle while pushing the door back and forth. This technique can also be attempted with a butter knife.
A hammer. As rudimentary as it may seem, a hammer to the door handle can be an effective way of gaining entry, This technique takes a bit more muscle and a trip to the hardware store for a new handle ($10). Bash that sucker down until the screw mechanism breaks on the inside. The door should swing right open. After you demolish your door handle get in touch with us for door repair.

If Beating it to smithereens isnt your style, you can check out this video of a quite hip hop-tacular gentleman using a hammer to remove a door knob in just such a predicament. The video is informative and comes with a particularly mellow soundtrack. This kid is gangster.

So now you know how to gain access to a locked interior door. While locking your self out of a door can be a pain in the neck, these easy solutions should provide a way for you to gain access without breaking it open costing hundreds of dollars in repairs. If you don’t feel comfortable with any of these techniques of course you can give us a call at Chicago Handyman. We will respond in a jiffy with courteous technicians that will hold your hand when you get scared and encourage you when you are feeling down. Call us today!

July 8, 2014 in Uncategorized

Half Bathroom Face Lift

Any room can be updated to have a modern, clean look. It is amazing what just a coat of paint will do. If you have a little more to invest, you can change the entire feel of your bathroom.

Take this Half Bathroom remodel by reddit user svolinsky. With Just $600 in Materials, this bathroom is transformed into a beautiful modern bathroom.

This Half Bathroom Face lift creates a cozy room that is clean and stylish.

Here is the half bathroom before the facelift. the look and feel are a bit dated.

The flooring has been replaced with tile. The vanity has been replaced with a unit from Lowes that came with the granite counter top. The walls got a fresh coat of paint and the lighting fixture and mirror got a fresh start too.

There is a lot to consider when it comes to remodeling a bathroom. You can follow the time line for this half bathroom face lift here.

A little goes a long way, a lot goes even further. Get in touch with Chicago Handyman for great rates on Bathroom remodeling.

Handyman Life

Custom Bay Window Seat

Mural Painting Brings Rooms to Life

Enhancing Your Bedroom For Just $50!

How to Gain Access to a Locked Interior Door

Half Bathroom Face Lift

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