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The Citizen, 2005-10-20, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2005. PAGE 23. I— I \r 111311 I Top 5 woodworking projects for home improvement (MS) — Looking for a way to save money while investing in your home? The answer may lie in doing your own woodworking home improvement projects. “Homeowners get double benefits when working on woodworking projects for their home,” says Don Zeman, nationally syndicated home improvement radio show host of Homefront with Don Zeman. “First there's the benefit of saving money over what you’d pay a professional woodworker to do a job. Second, there’s the rewarding feeling of accomplishment from making something yourself. “Many woodworking projects are extremely easy. Homeowners shouldn't be intimidated by any do- it-yourself project. With the right tools and guidance, you can accomplish anything. Personally, I’ve found that stores which have woodworking tools, supplies and classes, are a great source for anyone interested in all types of woodworking home improvement projects." According to Zeman, there are five extremely popular and easy woodworking projects that his listeners routinely discuss on his radio show. Project #1 — Making picture frames. One of the most rewarding woodworking activities is to frame pictures. Why? Because you'll save lots of money over professional framing fees while investing a minimal amount ol time, materials and skill. Many people can save at least haif of what retail stores charge for frames by creating the frames themselves. Project #2 — Installing wood mouldings. Many homes come without the decorative mouldings that add character to a room. Adding wood crown moulding at the ceiling or chair rail moulding at the center of the room can add warmth and elegance to kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms. Simple purchases of wood trim, stain, and a miter saw can help you upgrade the look of any room in just a few hours. Project #3 — Constructing outdoor decorative planter boxes and window boxes. To add curb appeal to your home, consider building outside flower boxes, planters and benches. Project #4 — Refinishing furniture. If you’ve been hiding an old bookcase or chair in the attic because it’s old or ugly, look at the piece of furniture again. Stripping down layers of old paint can reveal hidden beauty. Refinishing furniture is a rewarding way to give new life to old pieces while adding terrific accent pieces to your home. Project #5 — Creating small, multifunctional furniture. Tired of sneakers and shoes clogging up your mudroom? Try building a bench that doubles as a storage unit. Creating multifunctional furniture pieces can solve the problem of toys scattered around a room or messy workshops. Ideas and plans for everything from building pet food bins to coat racks to trash hideaway containers are available at www.woodcraft.com. Get kids involved in home improvement Home-improvement projects aren’t just for adults anymore. Kids are residents of the home too, so it’s only fitting to get their input on remodeling and redecorating your home — especially if you’re redoing the nursery or the kids’ space. If children are involved, they’ll be more likely to take care of the furniture and willing to help with low-key remodeling tasks. Even better, it offers an ideal opportunity to bond with your child. So take out the overalls and painter’s caps. Here are some easy ways that kids can get in.touch with their inner interior designer: • Solicit kids’ ideas on paint schemes. Don’t say “What colour do you want?”; you’ll overwhelm them with this open-ended question (and you'll be overwhelmed by the answers). Put a few paint swatches in front of them and have them rank their favourites. • Use kids’ advice to make CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING CENTRE Hwy. 86, Lucknow NOG 2H0 Fax (519) 528-2879 (519) 528-3720 Hundreds of clearance-priced windows and doors in stock. COMMERCIAL-RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURAL-INDUSTRIAL L\UV JLzJD JL IV A \ A Division of Benmiller Construction • Wells • Basements • Crawlspaces • Air Sealing • • Coolers & Freezers • Cottage Floor Undersides • Fax: 524-6173 524-9169 1-866-524-9169 Dennis Hamm Painting Painting, taping, drywall boarding, residential trim and detailing, basic carpentry No job too small 523-4825 __________:______) cabinets child-friendly. Even if you aren’t remodeling all of your kitchen and bath cabinets, you can inexpensively update their look with new knobs. There are a host of kid-friendly geometric-shaped knobs or bright- coloured handles in fun shapes. • Instead of nagging your son to clean his room, why not make cleanup enjoyable? If kids have input in their storage system, they are more likely to keep spaces clutter-free. Take them to a home-goods store and show them colourful bins, toy chests, shelving units, rolling carts and other attractive storage solutions. Introduce them to wall organizers with pockets to hold shoes and toys. And teddy bears and dolls don’t just have to adorn a bed. See if the kids like corner shelving, or stretch mesh netting between two walls that can function as a stuffed- animal hammock. • If you are in the market for a “big-kid bed," let your toddler help select it. Depending on your space and preference, you can get a twin­ size bed. or jump right to a full or queen. Day and trundle beds are space savers that can house sleepover guests and be used in a guest room later on. • A new comforter, duvet or sheet set changes the whole look of a room. Encourage your child to choose a reversible one for even more design options. That way, there will be no tears if it gets stained. Just flip it, and it’s good as new (Don't forget to wash or get it cleaned it later!) • Kids spend a lot of time on the floor, playing games or chasing after their pets. That’s why they’ll be happy to give their input on flooring. Let them pick a plush carpet for their bedroom or the living room that feels nice on their feet. Instead of ripping up your & bathroom or kitchen floor, update it with kid-friendly appliques such as fish or plants. • When indoors, kids are often found propped in front of the TV or sprawled out on the couch. Make their down-time comfy. They can help choose a big colourful pillow, or they can give input on a warm and fuzzy blanket throw. • Don't expect the process to be quick and clean, but kids can lend a V---------------------—------ -— I • Renovations • New Homes • Sales & Installation of Windows & Doors Call Ken 519-887-98S7 Brussels, ON & r hand in painting. Toddlers can decorate walls with sponges, rubber stamps or handprints. Older kids can hammer nails and screw in screws, with supervision. Get your kids involved in home decorating and your house will be full of love. And maybe you’ll see that you have a future interior decorator or contractor in your midst!