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June 26, 2015 in Home Improvements, Idea Corner

Add Class To Any Dresser With Leather Belt Drawer Pulls

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Leather is a great material to add to any furniture or home decor. And many people have plenty of leather belts that go unused for years. So why not reuse these materials while adding glamor to any dresser? Follow these guidelines from The Merrythought and repurpose a simple leather belt into leather drawer pulls.

Here’s the required supplies:

  • Leather belt
  • Nails
  • Hammers
  • Scissors
  • Measuring Tape

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Begin by removing any of the preexisting hardware from the dresser. Next, pull out all of the drawers from the dresser to begin the process.

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Then measure out the leather belt’s material to match where the previous hardware was without nailing it into the same holes. After checking the measurements, nail down one side of the leather pull. Take the other end of the pull and push it out to create a handle. Then nail down that side.

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Repeat these steps until the handles of all the drawers are attached.

And that’s it! Enjoy this eco-friendly look in any room of the home.

April 8, 2015 in Home Improvements, Idea Corner

Handyman At Home: Top 5 Ways To Go Green At Home

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Going green is not only great for the future of the earth, but also homeowners’ wallets! There are many simple, easy purchases and home renovations to make any home, from an apartment to a mansion, a greener place to be.

Here are the top 5 ways to go green at home:

1. Composting

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Don’t throw away food, revitalize it! Composting is a great way to turn left-overs and yard weeds into reusable energy- fertilizer.

2. Recycled Roof Tiles

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Need a new roof? Don’t fall for the new roof tiles on the market. Use reclaimed clay, stone or slate tiles to create a greener roof.

3. Energy Efficient Appliances

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If shopping for a new dishwasher or laundry machine, look for the energy efficient models. This investment may cost more initially but saving on energy bills later will surely be worth it.

4. Natural Flooring

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There are a lot natural materials that can serve as a great alternative to hardwood flooring. Check out our previous article about installing cork flooring for ideas!

5. Recycling System

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The easiest way to go green in the home? Start recycling! With just a few bins, it’ll be much easier to create a green contribution.

Need more green at home ideas, check out DIY Network’s full list of green home solutions. 

April 6, 2015 in Home Improvements, Idea Corner, Uncategorized

The Best Eco-Friendly Flooring: Cork

Hardwood floors are a staple in most home renovations nowadays. But this flooring can often be harmful to nature. However, there is an attractive, easily installed alternative that not only does not hurt the tree but adds interest to an otherwise traditional home. This material is cork flooring.

Though not ideal for bathrooms, this flooring can function in every other room of the home. And it can be easily installed over tile, concrete or most other original flooring in the home.

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Begin installing cork flooring by placing a cork plank on top of the threshold and cut away trim from the doorstops on either side of the door above the threshold. Remove any cabinet toe kicks and edges of  wall casings.

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Then lay cork planks along the longest uninterrupted wall, leaving 1-inch for expansion. Start laying the planks and gently press down until the tongue and groove of the planks click together. Do this until the first course is laid. Place 1/2″ spacers on the floor and start to slide them in. Following filling the space, begin to mallet the planks into place.

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Finally reinstall any trim, toe-kicks or doorstops that were initially removed in the cork flooring process.

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No finishing required and a whole new room for even more eco-friendly home solutions!

For a complete walk-through, check out This Old House.

And for even more flooring solutions, contact Chicago Handyman today!