Eight quick steps to home improvement

Thu., May 26, 2005

The Spokesman-Review

1. Give your den a traditional look with tongue-and-groove wainscoting.

Supplies: Wainscoting, construction adhesive, circular saw, nails, hammer, level, cap rail, paint, miter box and paintable caulk.

Cost: $250-$300.

Time One to two days.

2. Turn your back yard into an oasis with a pond or water garden.

Supplies: Shovel, sand, preformed pool or PVC pond liner, recirculating pump, filter, plants, goldfish or koi, and rock for edging.

Cost: $250-$600.

Time: One to two days.

3. Paint or varnish your wood front door.

Supplies: Sandpaper, paint or varnish, paintbrush.

Cost: $8-$15.

Time: Four hours over two days.

4. Add ambience to your dining room with a dimmer switch.

Supplies: Circuit tester, screwdriver, electrical testers, wire cutters, dimmer switch, wire nuts and wire.

Cost: $10-$20 for dimmer switch.

Time: One hour.

5. Buy a colorful cotton hammock at an outdoors store. Suspend hammock between trees or hang it on a metal base.

Supplies: Hammock, hooks or base.

Cost: $50-$200.

Time: Less than 30 minutes for installation, plus at least two additional hours to relax in the hammock.

6. Add character to a wall with a preformed niche. These niches, which are lightweight and recess into a wall, can be special-ordered at Home Depot and other home-improvement stores.

Supplies: Preformed niche, drywall screws, finishing nails, spackle, two two-by-fours that are 16 inches long, construction adhesive and caulk gun, level, drill, tape measure, stud finder, hammer, drywall saw, safety goggles and drop-cloth.

Cost: $100-$700.

Time: Four hours.

7. Update your kitchen’s floor with new vinyl.

Supplies: Vinyl flooring, tape measure, adhesive, utility knife, hammer, pry bar, concrete crack filler and floor roller or rolling pin.

Cost: $500-$1,000.

Time: One to two days.

8. Conduct a leak check. Check your roof for damaged shingles, visible cracks and flashing problems. Look under sinks for leaks. Call professionals to fix problems.

Supplies: Ladder, binoculars, gloves and flashlight.

Cost: Nothing.

Time: 30 minutes to one hour.

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