Hosts Aaron Massey and Tracy Pendergast interview experts in this weekly talk show, discussing all aspects of home improvement. From small DIY jobs to large scale projects, the How to Home Podcast covers everything you need to know about creating a home you love.
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This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Patrick Cain of Patrick Cain Designs about his interesting path to becoming a furniture designer, and the business side of being a maker.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
NOTABLE MOMENTS :
Patrick attributes his success to having a curiosity and learning.
He started mid-century modern and moved into minimalist design.
He's currently working on a brutalist vibe with a little touch of Memphis.
Patrick's company employs people from every continent.
The shop's process is super collaborative. Patrick has everyone in the shop give input.
In addition to his main site, Patrick sells his second hand concrete pieces on Etsy, and also at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.
"Do what you like, save what you love as a hobby".
Patrick looks at selling at the flea market as free A/B testing. He can tell if he's doing the right thing by who approaches him to hear more.
"I believe in open cabinetry because you can't hide things!"
The dogs in Patrick's photos are from Angel City Pitbulls.
If you're thinking of starting a business, focus on a product that's safe and then expand.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING FURNITURE:
If it's MDF or particle board it's not going to hold up.
The heavier the better.
Look for furniture that is environmentally friendly. Things that are made from new materials are better if they're going to last 10 years.
ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS:
Patrick uses recycled styrofoam in his concrete pieces.
Their team looks for fallen trees and materials that can be reclaimed.
SOME CHALLENGES OF RUNNING A BUSINESS/MOST REWARDING:
One of the biggest challenges is, Los Angeles doesn't make it easy to run a business.
Being able to pay yourself is tough- it goes to employees and getting reinvested.
Having steady work.
Finding employees! Finding reliable people is so difficult.
This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Philip Shen about tips for creating a great sleep environment in your home.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
WHY SLEEP IS IMPORTANT:
We spend ⅓ of our lives sleeping, so it's critical for health.
The body restores and repairs itself during sleep.
Good sleep also supports your memory.
HOW TO CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT:
Make sure your room is cool and quiet.
Get the proper mattress for your alignment.
Block out noise and light.
No tv or electronics in the bedroom.
The bedroom should be for sleep.
Comfortable and soothing colors.
Hot showers, massage and warm beverages/hot water (non-caffeinated) are great before bed.
Tracy suggested blue light cancelling glasses.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A MATTRESS/PILLOW:
For youngsters, the mattress requirements aren't as important- but it's important they're cool.
Philip recommends mattress protectors for health.
80 percent of the sleeping population are side sleepers, and side sleeping creates the most pressure points. It's important for side sleepers to get the correct firmness.
Philip recommends mattresses with zoning technology.
Mattresses should last 8 years.
If you have broad shoulders you need a bigger pillow.
Body pillows are great for support.
Philip likes the Snuz mattress, specifically the hybrid bed.
Home Electrical Basics | HTH 015
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 • Duration 39:44
This week, we chat with licensed electrician Caleb Effinger about home electrical basics and safety.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
Electricity 101
- Power comes from the power company either via powerline or buried and attaches to your main panel box and disperses through the house.
- The electric company's job ends at the meter (keep it on), you're responsible for everything else.
- 110 circuits are for smaller appliances, 220/240 for larger things like air and washer/dryer.
- Volts are like the pressure from your faucet, amps are like to flow/volume & watts are the power/pressure.
- If your lighting circuit keeps tripping you could go LED and save a lot wattage.
- The higher the wattage, the more power it's drawing.
Show Highlights:
- Caleb is passionate about raising up the next generation of electricians, because there's a dire need.
- The average age of an electrician today is 55.
- The most dangerous thing you can do is work on live electricity. Turn the circuit off and work safely.
- If you're working on an outlet or a switch shut off power and wear gloves. These are simple ways to keep safe.
- A homeowner can update light fixtures, switches etc. Caleb recommends calling a professional to add circuits.
Surviving a Remodel | HTH 014
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 • Duration 38:04
This week, Aaron and Tracy talk about their tips for surviving a remodel. Renovations can be stressful, but with a lot of planning and clear expectations, things will be easier.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
Set expectations:
Before you make the decision to start a renovation, talk about your expectations. Who is going to handle what? A lot of time is spent tied to the home while people work- who is going to "babysit" the workers? What are your schedules like? Are you comfortable with giving up A, B and C while the house gets done? What is your timeline? Talk about everything!
One thing Tracy and her husband agreed on before they started was not complaining.
Also, be very clear about what you want to hire out and what you want to DIY.
Have a clear vision of the big picture:
This one is HUGE! Before you start ripping anything apart, sit and talk about your vision for your ENTIRE home.
It's so important to get on the same page about the look and feel of your home, so as you pick away at the little things, you both have the same vision for big picture.
Know which things you're willing to let go:
Everything is give and take. Know the things you're willing to bend on, and allow your partner to make those choices. One person cannot control everything.
If you can't agree on something, keep looking:
There is no formula for decisions being less frustrating- but if there are things both parties feel strongly about, sometimes the only option is to keep looking until you find something you're both ok with. Some purchases take time.
Building a Modern Home with Ben Uyeda | HTH 013
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 • Duration 54:09
This week, we chat with the phenomenally talented, Ben Uyeda. We talk about his incredible undertaking of building a shipping container home in the middle of the Joshua Tree desert, his design process and some of his favorite materials to work with currently.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
FAST FACTS ABOUT BEN (FROM BEN):
- Started out as a professor at Cornell University speaking about sustainable design.
- Started a tech company called Free Green where he gave away free blueprints with eco friendly housing, and sold advertising on the actual downloadable blueprints, and eventually sold it.
- Launched Homemade-Modern.com where he started creating DIY projects.
Show Highlights:
- Ben takes a lot of cues from food media. They don't need a lot of fancy stuff or gadgets, just understanding the elements.
- Plywood and concrete are two of Ben's favorite materials. Concrete because it's accessible worldwide, plywood because even if it's not the same globally, people are at least familiar with sheet goods.
- If you're going to buy furniture try to find the cheapest basics and then splurge on the things you're going to keep forever.
- You can have a creative career that's not dependent on patronage.
- You can be more forgiving: Everything doesn't have to be perfectly flat, people actually like things that look more homemade.
Must-Tackle Spring Projects | HTH 012
Tuesday, April 9, 2019 • Duration 25:45
This week, Aaron and Tracy discuss their go-to list of spring projects. Maintaining your home is key to avoiding costly repairs down the line- and spring is the perfect time to get out and make sure any damage caused over the winter is taken care of.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
1. Replace air filters.
- Subscription services like Filterbuy.com are a great way to stay on top of the maintenance.
2. Do a check of the roof, exterior walls and foundation for any weather related damage that occured in the winter months.
- Any missing or damaged shingles should be replaced- you should also keep an eye out for leaves or debris that have gotten in under them. This is also the time to take care of any leaks you may have given a quick fix during the rainy season.
- On the exterior you want to focus on areas around gutter spouts, or places that take the brunt of weather wear and tear.
- For the foundation you're keeping an eye out for large cracks. If you see anything substantial, consider having foundation specialist come out to make sure it doesn't need something more than caulk.
- Spring is also a great time to insure your windows and doors are sealed.
- Also keep an eye out for trees that need to be trimmed near roof/windows.
- The driveway is also something good to take a look at and repair/seal.
3.Make a day out of cleaning all of your patio furniture and the grill.
- Tracy likes to clean the furniture with ½ cup castile soap, 1 cup vinegar and water. It works really great on pretty much everything and knocks out any mildew.
Pest Control 101: How to Protect Your Home Against Pests | HTH 011
Tuesday, April 2, 2019 • Duration 58:29
This week, Pat Copps from Orkin Pest Control joins Aaron and Tracy to discuss all things creepy-crawly. We'll talk about the best methods of prevention, how to recognize a pest infestation in your home, and which products are the safest and most effective to remove any unwanted visitors.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
FAST FACTS:
- Over 56% of homeowners have had a problem with ants in the last year
- A single flea can lay up to 25 eggs per day while a single rat can have up to 84 offspring per year
- Termites cause an estimated $5 Billion of structural damage per year
- Many pests including rats, mice, mosquitoes, fleas and ticks can carry potentially deadly or life-threatening illnesses
TIPS:
- 20 percent of household fires are caused by rodents.
- Focus on prevention: keep trees and shrubs trimmed and house sealed up.
- Expanding foam isn't Pat's favorite because pests can chew through it, he suggests an epoxy product.
- Keep standing water clean and flowing. Mosquitos love humidity.
- Pick up pet food after they've eaten.
- Be mindful of what you're planning and what kind of pests they attract.
- Cockroaches and rodents love cardboard.
- Rats attract other rats.
- Use a screen with the proper sized mesh.
Landscape Design: Make The Most of Your Outside Space | HTH 010
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 • Duration 49:50
This week, Mike Pyle joins Aaron and Tracy to discuss everything landscape design. We find out what homeowners should consider before starting their project, how to maximise a small outside space, and which plants you should choose for a beautiful yard.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
TIPS:
- Chairs take up a tremendous amount of space, consider built-in benches to maximize space.
- Living walls don't take up square footage and add beautiful elements.
- Living walls need good afternoon sun with an irrigation system- if they don't have these thing they require a lot of maintenance.
- Having a plan is HUGE! Plan out your project and research or hire a professional.
- Maintenance is key for things to survive. Low maintenance doesn't mean no maintenance.
-Fescue grass is drought tolerant and does great.
-Fertilize late spring before the summer.
- Warranty is huge when shopping for plants.
- For weed control: Mulch, weed barrier and pebbles or decomposed granite will help.
- Get soil down 3 ½-4 inches before adding mulch so your soil level isn't too high.
- Small living options: pots (fruit and herbs do great!), living walls, anything vertical.
- For gophers, gopher wire works well under garden boxes etc.
PRODUCTS:
- Netafim is Mike's favorite irrigation system-
Financing Your Remodel: What are the Options? | HTH009
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 • Duration 31:04
This week, Javier Ruiz from New American Funding joins Aaron and Tracy to discuss all you need to know about financing a home remodel. We talk about cost estimation, how to decide the best financing options for you and which rooms will hit your budget the hardest.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
FASTFacts:
1. According to HomeAdvisor, the average kitchen remodel in the US ranges from $12,000 - $30,000 or around $150 per sq. ft
2.To hire a handyman the average cost is $390 ph
3. The average cost of a bathroom remodeling project is approximately $10,000, although this includes minor, partial, and small bathroom remodeling costs. A comprehensive bathroom remodel is likely to cost $15,000 or more; a large master bath remodel can easily go over $50,000.
4. Most people planning a house upgrade aren't doing it in order to put a "For Sale" sign in the yard. In fact, only seven percent of homeowners are renovating to prepare their homes to be sold, the lowest percentage since 2015. (marketwatch)
5. The majority of homeowners (62 percent) plan to pay for projects, at least in part, by using savings. Other home improvement financing options include credit cards, 30 percent of homeowners say they'll pay for a project using plastic. While credit cards are also a popular option for millennial homeowners, it is significantly less so than last year, down 16 percent.
6. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $25,000 loan at 7.99% APR with a term of 12 years would result in 144 monthly payments of $270.48. (lightstream)
7. A landscaping project can cost anywhere from $5,000 to over $100,000. When deciding on a budget keep in mind that investing in professional landscaping will greatly add to the value of your home. A general rule of thumb is to spend 10% of your home's value on landscaping.
Interior Design: Creating Your Dream Space | HTH 008
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 • Duration 51:28
Leigh Lincoln & Aly Morford from Pure Salt Interiors join Aaron & Tracy this week to give us their top interior design tips! We discuss how best to approach a space, which colors provide a timeless palette, and how to effectively combine style, simplicity and function for a beautiful home.
LET'S CHAT!
You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail!
978-709-1040
LEIGH AND ALY'S TIPS:
- White is a great neutral canvas, but avoid a sterile space by incorporating texture!
- Marry design + function.
- You're not limited in color with kids if you find the right materials.
- Be patient and trust the design process.
- Dream up a cohesive vision for your home.
- There ARE designers out there for every budget- don't be intimidated to reach out to designers in your area.
- Prioritize what you invest in.
- Check out flea markets for affordable pieces. The ladies are also fans of Target and Etsy.
TIPS FOR CREATING A TIMELESS SPACE:
- Pick a timeless/neutral palette.
- For flooring Aly suggests a nice medium wood, like a white oak. "A wood that looks like it's been there for all time".
- Cabinetry is all about function!
- Countertops are about functionality as well- choose a material that works for your family. Organic color and texture.
- Purity, simplicity and organization is so crucial.
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Q: If you have a cooling mattress and put a mattress protector over it, are you negating the benefits?
A: Yes, but they make cooling mattress protectors as well. Also, with the zipper top mattress protector that's available, you can actually unzip and clean without buying a mattress protector.
- Things to looks for when hiring an electrician: make sure they're licensed, are they insured and bonded? These things protect the electrician and the homeowner.
Maintenance Tips:
- Go to breaker panel once a year and turn breakers all off and on to check for tripping.
- Replace any loose outlets.
- Pest control is key to keeping your home safe.
- Wires should be in-cased within the home for safety. It keeps rodents, nails etc from interfering with the wiring.
- A hot wire is usually black or red, a neutral wire is usually white-ish.
5 Tools for DIY
- 10-in-1 screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Non-contact voltage tester
- Pliers
- Gloves
- Wire strippers
PHONE CALLS/SOCIAL:
Q: I keep tripping my circuits at home but I need my lights in that room
A: The lighting circuit might be connected to some outlets too. Try swapping out lights for a lower wattage bulb as well (LED).
Q: If I'm trying to diffuse a bomb, which wire do I cut?
A: Always Orange
Q: I use screw caps, are there merits to using something else?
A: If it ain't broke don't fix it. Wire nuts are tried and true and you get a real tight connection.
Q: I have a bunny who chews on cords, is there anything I can do to solve that?
We assume the little things like knobs and fixtures can be last priority, right? But by the end of your project you will have made so many big decisions, that the little decisions will make your brain melt. You will want to light the entire hardware section on fire. When you're sitting down and going over those big picture plans, take note of the little details you like and decide on them then.
Don't let things snowball:
This is HARD! Renovations have a way of getting out of control. You get in a groove and just want to keep going. Make a list of what you're doing, or create a budget- and stick to it. Inevitably surprise costs will come up- so save any extra cash for those expenses and avoid financial stress.
- Tracy asked Ben about the future of architecture and he talked about the trends of smaller homes and more urban type living situations like lofts. Open floor plans becoming the norm, building performance, thermal comfort and smart homes are all trending.
- Ben doesn't like analytics but he values them. When looking for new property he searched areas where Whole Foods were popping up.
Q: Is there any difference in insulating a shipping container as opposed to a house?
A: Yes and no, the only part that's really different is if you have to insulate between floor beams. Wood isn't as conductive of heat as steel is. They insulated between steel beams and then continuous insulation above the plywood and from the metal in.
Q: Were you building things and taking things apart when you were young?
A: Ben loved the way that making could lead to adventure. He was inspired by Swiss Family Robinson and Huckleberry Finn.
Q: Besides permits what was the biggest challenge of building the shipping container?
A: Just not having clear answers for the workers on how to do things. They'd ask questions about how to do things and Ben had to research and figure things out as they moved forward. (And holding his temper in the comment section of the videos…)
Q: What's the cheapest place to get a shipping container?
A: It depends on where you are. In CA they have to be a one trip condition container. In SoCal it's https://containersdiscount.ca
Find Ben's Quickfire video on our Instagram! @howtohome_guide
- For the grill she uses vinegar, lemon, salt and foil.
4. Be proactive with lawn maintenance and pruning.
- Focus on raking and clean-up, weed control, fertilization and seeding. It's important to know whether you have warm or cool season grass, because that will affect your fertilization schedule- but either way- spring is about strengthening your lawn for those hot summer months.
- Prune your flowers, bushes and trees.
5. Get your vegetables started!
- There's nothing better than throwing fresh veggies on the grill, and using fresh herbs in your cooking. It seems like an overwhelming amount of work, but gardening is so rewarding.
- Keep in mind that early spring can still be too cold for a lot of vegetables. Some that do really great planted early are: asparagus, lettuce, peas, rhubarb and spinach.
6. Deep clean your home.
- Pickupplease.org allows you to schedule donation pick-ups if you want to purge. It's also great to schedule the day after a garage sale.
- Challenge yourself to swap out for more natural products this year. Not only is it safer for your family, but it also saves a substantial amount of money to make your own cleaning products. You can pretty much do anything with vinegar, water, lemon and tea tree oil.
- Aaron's wife subscribed to a service called: Refill Shoppe
- Aaron suggested vinegar and water as carpet cleaner.
7. Have your attic cleaned and insulated (or do it yourself!).
- Spring is such a great time to take that leap if you've been considering it- then you avoid mold growth in the hot months, and you can also clear out any critters that have snuck in to stay warm. They'll come in and get it super clean, insulated and also make sure it's properly ventilated which will prevent so many issues down the line.
8. Start preparing your pool area.
- The perimeter and surrounding plants.
9. Drain your water heater.
10. Defrost the freezer.
Make your spring to-do list a family affair- it can be fun!!
- Don't wait until your issue gets huge to call in a professional.
- Stains on the seams of a mattress or box spring might indicate bed bugs.
SAFETY:
- Stay away using products if you don't have to. Try cleaning up the area first if you only see a few ants etc.
- For a children's structure like a playhouse a vacuum cleaner is a great tool without using chemicals. Also check on irrigation and shrubs surrounding it.
- Don't put bug sprays into the wrong container (not clearly labeled), and store things in a locked cabinet.
- Pat doesn't recommend keeping unused pesticides sitting around.
DIY TOOLS:
- Flashlight
- Multi tool to open up cabinet or vent
- Sealant for small openings or holes
PHONE CALLS/SOCIAL:
Q: Traps aren't working on my rats, but I'm afraid with poison they'll die in the walls. What should I do?
A: Pat recommends calling in a professional so they can put cameras in the walls etc and determine where the rats are. Based on that, they may change up traps or trap locations.
Q: Is it true that bed bugs don't bite people with alcohol in their bloodstream?
A: No….
Q: Are there any considerations for people who live in apartments?
A: If you see something, let the property manager know- they usually have a service agreement with a pest company.
Q: Sometimes I feel like I feel a bug on my skin and it's not there. Are small dust mites common?
A: It's possible, but it could be a number of things.
