With do-it-yourself, practice makes perfect

Shari Hiller and I often hear that we make everything seem so easy! Usually the first time we try a project, we have a tremendous learning curve. It may look easy, but it’s not. We have, however, found a way to help us get through those tough times — practice!

“I have learned that I need to make a lot of practice cuts to get the project I’m working on just right. I always start with scrap material and try to figure out the best way to make the correct cuts and miters before I attempt to work with my finish stock. I’ve saved a lot of frustration and money over the years this way.

“The same goes with painting and painting techniques. We always purchase the minimal amount of paint before we start painting a room (some paint manufactures have even started to sell smaller pint sample colors). The color that Shari has picked may not look the same on the wall as it did on the color card. To get a true feel of the color, paint samples in different light and in different locations, before you buy all the paint for the entire room.

“Shari and I make sample boards when we try a painting technique. I use 2-foot- by-2-foot Masonite boards that can be purchased pre-cut at most home center stores. I reuse them over and over trying different techniques and colors. Brown paper grocery bags work just as well. This practice will give you more freedom to try different techniques, and you won’t have to redo the base coat if you make a mistake.

“Don’t be afraid to consult the experts when you try anything new. I’ve used my library many a time to help guide me through a project. I don’t think there are any truly original ideas anymore — someone else has usually tried it and written a book about it.

“And if you have access to the Internet, just Google a few words and presto, instant knowledge. Just don’t forget to check out mattandshari.com. I also make a lot of phone calls to my favorite hardware stores and lumberyards. Better yet, make a trip to your local home center or hardware store and show them what you’re working on.

I could go on and on about practice makes perfect, but I don’t believe I’ll ever actually achieve perfection. I’m always making adjustments here and there to my projects. I do have the luxury of this being my day job, so I get paid to mess around the shop, but trust me folks, it ain’t easy.