H&G lessons learned

[simpsongal]

Let's do some H&G lessons learned, perhaps to help educate one another or prevent mistakes

Framing: Don't order photo prints until/unless you have purchased a frame and matte that fits the print.  For some reason, the frame/matte makers haven't caught on to the different sizes being produced by DSRL cameras and the like.  So I've had some pricey prints sitting in my closet waiting for frames that I couldn't find in stores.  Eventually, I ordered some odd sized frames online, and I also used "glass" frames (where the matte is see-through glass - so it fits any pic).

Light bulbs: Don't buy a 4+ pack of spendy LED lightbulbs unless you're sure you like the "color."  Yes, the 4 pack was cheaper, but the light from these Phillips bulbs is SO YELLOW. And they last like 20+ years

Brick path: Don't lay one unless you have a very heavy weed barrier or cement.  That perma-sand stuff is useless. 

[RamblingRose]

Don't buy a dark rug if you have a pug.
Decent looking recliners do exist, but they are pricy.
Never tell a man that art should be hung "at eye level" and then expect to be able to hang it correctly. Give a number "the center of the art should be about 5'6" from the floor, however depending on furniture under it, it might need to go lower."
Single bench style seat cushions on a sofa get a dip right in the middle no matter what.
Paint the ceiling first. (Looking up at ceilings that still need painting 4 years later)

[dottyblue]

Oh man. Let's see.

Do not purchase 5 million items for do-it-yourself installation at once. Buy them one at a time because it's really embarrassing to call Home Depot 9 months after purchase when an item is defective and explain that you didn't even attempt install for 6 months.

Do. Not. Trust. Amazon reviews. Not without additional research. I have been burned on two appliance purchases because I trusted the high-ratings, but if you dig into the comments, the appliances crap out after 12 months. UGH.

[moolarkey]

Oct 4, 2016 9:56:01 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Let's do some H&G lessons learned, perhaps to help educate one another or prevent mistakes

Framing: Don't order photo prints until/unless you have purchased a frame and matte that fits the print.  For some reason, the frame/matte makers haven't caught on to the different sizes being produced by DSRL cameras and the life.  So I've had some pricey prints sitting in my closet waiting for frames that I couldn't find in stores.  Eventually, I ordered some odd sized frames online, and I also used "glass" frames (where the matte is see-through glass - so it fits any pic).

Light bulbs: Don't buy a 4+ pack of spendy LED lightbulbs unless you're sure you like the "color."  Yes, the 4 pack was cheaper, but the light from these Phillips bulbs is SO YELLOW. And they last like 20+ years

Brick path: Don't lay one unless you have a very heavy weed barrier or cement.  That perma-sand stuff is useless. 

And if you live where you get ice, brick paths are slippery as Hell.

[thatgirl2478]

Even if you think you'll remember the size plumbing part you need, take the old one with you to the store.

If you are 95% sure you measured and ordered flooring correctly, do not listen to the installer who says you're gonna be 100 sq ft short. You will end up with 2 extra boxes PLUS the 5 EXTRA boxes you order on his recommendation.

[tillie]

Move out during major renovations

[mlvmd]

Don't assume your studs are evenly spaced and standard and buy a ton of closet organizers without measuring...

[RamblingRose]

Oct 4, 2016 16:38:18 GMT -5 tillie said:

Move out during major renovations

FTFY.
Love you lady. Hope things are calming down now the reno is over. 

[panicked]

Never, ever, EVER buy bonded leather furniture.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Don't be afraid to do what you want. And unless your house architecture is 100% your style, don't be afraid to mix up the style of decor in your house.

Do the little stuff to finish your projects now, or you'll never do it.

Color is your friend. Don't be afraid to use it.

[mrsukyankee]

Make sure you measure entryways so that your furniture fits through them.

[glw]

Always assume the outlet is hot, even when the electrician SWEARS it is not.

[tillie]

Oct 5, 2016 8:52:50 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Make sure you measure entryways so that your furniture fits through them.

Learned this the hard way. Ended up bringing them in through 2nd story bay window. Not fun.

[mrsukyankee]

Oct 5, 2016 9:23:47 GMT -5 tillie said:

Oct 5, 2016 8:52:50 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Make sure you measure entryways so that your furniture fits through them.

Learned this the hard way. Ended up bringing them in through 2nd story bay window. Not fun.

I thought we could bring our new appliance through our garage.  Guess what, we don't have electricity...door won't open.  Had to take off the front door, unpack our new American fridge-freezer, take the doors off that and it barely made it through.  We'll have to wait to get anything else into the house (like our couches) after we get electricity back to our garage.  Sigh.

[mrsukyankee]

Oct 5, 2016 8:53:50 GMT -5 rvan0905 said:

Don't listen to the sports obsessed person when buying a TV. You'll end up with an oversized monstrosity that takes up your whole mantle.

I made my husband actually MEASURE the space where we are going to hang our tv...amazingly enough, we cannot fit the size he was planning on buying. Thank goodness (it would have been far too big for the distance from our couches/size of our room).

[partiallysunny]

When it comes to rugs, you get whatever pay for.

Take your time when you patch a plaster wall. Don't get impatient and rush it.

^ same goes for staining.

ONE PROJECT AT A TIME.

[dottyblue]

Oct 5, 2016 9:20:39 GMT -5 glw said:

Always assume the outlet is hot, even when the electrician SWEARS it is not.

  Dare I ask the story behind this one?
Save

[glw]

Oct 5, 2016 9:39:45 GMT -5 dottyblue said:

Oct 5, 2016 9:20:39 GMT -5 glw said:

Always assume the outlet is hot, even when the electrician SWEARS it is not.

  Dare I ask the story behind this one?
Save

Hehe. We wanted to save the old ceiling fan in our kitchen, and the electrician said we were good to go with disconnecting it ourselves. DH got zapped. Luckily I had a good hold on the fan above my head or it would have been a zap plus a busted fan and possibly my busted head. 

[dottyblue]

Oct 5, 2016 9:41:45 GMT -5 glw said:

Oct 5, 2016 9:39:45 GMT -5 dottyblue said:

  Dare I ask the story behind this one?
Save

Hehe. We wanted to save the old ceiling fan in our kitchen, and the electrician said we were good to go with disconnecting it ourselves. DH got zapped. Luckily I had a good hold on the fan above my head or it would have been a zap plus a busted fan and possibly my busted head. 

Oof!  Glad he's ok, LOL.
Save

[emoflamingo]

Do not paint your walls red.

Always ask your dad (if he's handy) before you pay a handy man to do literally anything. (Thanks dad, for the two ceiling fans - one of which is somehow routed through the breaker in the kitchen across the house through no fault of his - and for helping me cut down some dead trees.)

Wash your house often or your white siding will stain.

[simpsongal]

Oct 4, 2016 19:13:45 GMT -5 panicked said:

Never, ever, EVER buy bonded leather furniture.

Is that less expensive that traditional leather or something?  Is it not holding up?

Curious since we want a leather couch in the basement (I've been perusing CL).

[simpsongal]

Oct 5, 2016 8:21:45 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Don't be afraid to do what you want. And unless your house architecture is 100% your style, don't be afraid to mix up the style of decor in your house.

Do the little stuff to finish your projects now, or you'll never do it.

Color is your friend. Don't be afraid to use it.

OMG this is me.  IDK why, but I will leave 1 piece of molding unattached for MONTHS.  Case in point, my basement reno is so close to done and I just can't bring myself to finish the tiniest wall section.  But I'll do like 5 other projects in the meantime....ugh.

[panicked]

Oct 5, 2016 10:35:02 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Oct 4, 2016 19:13:45 GMT -5 panicked said:

Never, ever, EVER buy bonded leather furniture.

Is that less expensive that traditional leather or something?  Is it not holding up?

Curious since we want a leather couch in the basement (I've been perusing CL).

Bonded leather is not real leather. Looks similar, but there is no way to repair it once it starts to crack and peel...which it will.

[dottyblue]

Oct 5, 2016 10:35:02 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Oct 4, 2016 19:13:45 GMT -5 panicked said:

Never, ever, EVER buy bonded leather furniture.

Is that less expensive that traditional leather or something?  Is it not holding up?

Curious since we want a leather couch in the basement (I've been perusing CL).

I looked it up because I wasn't sure either.  Wiki: "Bonded leather, also called reconstituted leather or blended leather, is a term used for a manufactured upholstery material including animal hide. It is made as a layered structure of a fiber or paper backer, a pulp made from shredded leather, and a polyurethane coating which is embossed with a leather-like texture."

It's like the MDF of leather.
Save

[RamblingRose]

Oct 5, 2016 9:23:47 GMT -5 tillie said:

Oct 5, 2016 8:52:50 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Make sure you measure entryways so that your furniture fits through them.

Learned this the hard way. Ended up bringing them in through 2nd story bay window. Not fun.

I had a sofa issue that required a ceiling light to be removed. Nicest delivery guys ever!

[sailorgray]

High and wide.

[pitterwoo]

Do your prep work before painting. Makes the final product look better and more importantly hold up better.

Thanks to the previous owners painting directly over the shellacked wood trim, it was chipping terribly and had to be stripped and started over.

[thatgirl2478]

Oct 5, 2016 8:21:45 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Don't be afraid to do what you want. And unless your house architecture is 100% your style, don't be afraid to mix up the style of decor in your house.

Do the little stuff to finish your projects now, or you'll never do it.

Color is your friend. Don't be afraid to use it.

LOL - yeeeessss - have you been watching the 'progress' at my house? (or lack there of)
Save

[thatgirl2478]

Oct 5, 2016 9:20:39 GMT -5 glw said:

Always assume the outlet is hot, even when the electrician SWEARS it is not.

Time for an electrical tester?
Save

[thatgirl2478]

Oct 5, 2016 10:33:48 GMT -5 emoflamingo said:

Do not paint your walls red.

Always ask your dad (if he's handy) before you pay a handy man to do literally anything. (Thanks dad, for the two ceiling fans - one of which is somehow routed through the breaker in the kitchen across the house through no fault of his - and for helping me cut down some dead trees.)

Wash your house often or your white siding will stain.

On that note - if you see spiders hanging out on the house, don't just assume you should leave them there - spider poo is like glue and doesn't come off siding easily.
Save