SPICY Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

One of our favorite ways to spice up a drab kitchen is to install a backsplash. The days of a plain backsplash are over! Add value to your kitchen without spending a ton of money!

There are many different ideas out there for a fun, classic or unique backsplash. Tile, metallics, glass - HandyMark Home Services can install just about whatever you can think up. If you are out of ideas - check out these fantastic pictures! (some we did - a couple we found)

As you can see - there are great ways to spice up your kitchen backsplash. Call HandyMark Home Services to get your on the way to looking amazing!

I'll procrastinate tomorrow

Wow, so its been a couple of months since I last wrote.

That's the way it goes, right? Life gets in the way, work gets in the way, kids, projects - it all takes time - and we don't have enough of it!

There are definitely things that you should NOT let slip until the endless "tomorrows". Lets talk about some of the common home repairs most people seem to put off and the consequences.

1. Gutters. They leak, sag, fill up with gunk, and sometimes come off all together. But the longer you wait, the more water is infiltrating your foundation, basement, windows and washing away soil that needs to channel water away from your home.

2. Caulk. Yucky, missing, cracking or gaping caulk is an indicator that water can and probably is seeping behind. That leads to mold and wood damage.

3. Decks. They are nice to sit out on and relax. But those loose boards, and unprotected wood can lead to wood rot and potential safety hazards no one has time for.

4. Ceiling spots. If you have a spot on your ceiling or a small patch of crumbling drywall/plaster that means there is water getting in somewhere its not suppose to! Letting it go just gives water more time to do its thing.... and that's not good.

5. Furnace Filters. Yup. They get gross. And not only does it decrease the units efficiency, it can cause the unit to not function properly.

The list can go on and on. There are probably quite a few things on your to-do list around your house that never seem to get done. Make your list and call HandyMark. No job is too small, and it could save you bigger repair bills in the future- but hey, I can fix those too.

How to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Replacing kitchen cabinets is a great way to improve the look of your kitchen; although not always practical. A great way to give your kitchen an inexpensive "face lift" is to paint your existing cabinets. It is fairly easy to do if you have some painting experience and patience! Just grab your materials, find a good work area (a place to lay the cabinets flat at waist level is best) and get started!

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Medium grit sandpaper (a palm sander makes it go faster, or you can use a sanding block)
Paper towels
Primer
Paint tray
Small foam paint rollers
Semi-gloss paint
Small foam brushes
Tools to remove hardware such as a screwdriver

LET'S GET STARTED!

1. Remove cabinet doors

2. Remove hinges and knobs
* TIP - using scotch tape, tape the screws to the hinges or put in a zip lock bag

3. Remove contents of cabinets
* I recommend starting with the upper cabinets first

4. With a sanding block or palm sander and medium grit sandpaper, "rough up" the surface of cabinets and the cabinet doors.
*Make sure to really do this well, or the primer will not stick.

5. Using clean, damp paper towels, wipe down the surfaces to remove the dust and allow to dry completely.

6. Using a small, white foam roller, apply a coat of primer to the surfaces. These give you the smoothest finish without having to spray on your paint. Use a foam brush in recessed areas.
*I have used Zinser 1-2-3 in the past for smooth surfaces and it has worked great.

7. Allow to dry COMPLETELY according to the directions on the container
**I can't stress enough to let it dry completely in between coats for proper adhesion**

8. Apply a second coat, allowing to dry according to the directions, usually overnight.

9. Check for drips or uneven areas on your surfaces. Buff with sandpaper and re-prime if needed.
*Next I usually do a "scratch" test. Using a  fingernail, lightly scratch a small area of a cabinet. If the primer easily peels, Go back to step FOUR.... seriously.

10. Apply a light coat of semi-gloss paint - allow to dry overnight.

11. Apply a second coat of paint - allow to dry completely. Maybe a third coat? Probably.

12. Reinstall cabinets and hardware.
* I recommend soaking the hardware in Dawn and cleaning with an old toothbrush to restore them to a "new" look.

Follow the directions on the paint container for cleaning your newly painted surface.

Wow! Now your cabinets look great and it was well worth the effort!

Loving your home without moving

In today's market many people are choosing to stay put rather than try to sell their homes. Even if you hate your bathroom, need an extra bedroom or rather eat out than have to walk in an ugly kitchen again, you can love the home you're in without spending a fortune!

The most popular upgrades are kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Here are some tips to love the home you're in:

KITCHENS

There are many ways to improve the look and feel of your kitchen without a huge price tag. Just painting or re staining your existing cabinets, adding a new countertop and applying a fresh coat of paint in a cheerful color can really make the kitchen feel new. There are lots of low cost flooring options as well.

BATHROOMS

Installing a half or whole bath in a bedroom or small corner of the house can make a huge difference! It adds value to your home - not to mention cut down on arguing over who gets the bathroom first!

BASEMENTS

You are paying for ALL of your house - why not use it? Finishing a basement can give you an extra bedroom for an older child or guest suite, have a space for toys and rambunctious children to play, or a relaxing hub for watching family movies. Check around for several bids on the job - it is more reasonable than you might think!

FIX THE SMALL THINGS

Minor repairs that go unfixed can lead to bigger problems, such as a faucet leak. They also nag at your ever full to-do list. When all the small fixes are finished - you will have piece of mind and stuff that works right, making you love your home even more.

Not a DIY'er? HandyMark can help you with all those things we talked about here, and yes - at a price that is fair and quality of work that you will love.