Tag Archives: appliances

EP180: Home Offices That Inspire!

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SEGMENT 1: Japanese Pull Saws

If you’re a woodworker (or even a hobbyist), you’ve got to check out these Japanese pull saws. They may take a little getting used to, but once you do, they will cut down the effort and frustration you normally have when using a hand saw! They are almost effortless. A elegant saw for a more civilized age….

SEGMENT 2: Appliance Shopping Tips

Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to buy items online. And sometimes, you can really get burned if you don’t check out an item first hand!

SEGMENTS 3 & 4: Home Offices That Inspire

So many of us are working from home these days. It’s time to take that temporary, makeshift space and turn it into a productive home office! We’ve got some ideas to help you get there!

EP91: Pantry Organization, Decorating With Leftovers (NOT food!), Washer & Dryer Problems, and Best Home Improvement Projects

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With the new year generally comes New Year’s Resolutions. These resolutions come in all different forms. Some people resolve to lose weight. Or to eat more healthy. Or to go to the gym more. Or to be more organized. And while we may not be able to help you with the first three, we can certainly help you with the last one. Especially if you are talking about the dreaded pantry. It’s kind of like the closets, except without the dirty socks….hopefully. We’ve got some ideas to help keep you from losing food in the back depths of your pantry.

And after we’ve helped you get organized, we’re going to help you decorate with the items you already have. So often we think that the things we own (such as a table or couch) limits what we can do in a space. But it certainly doesn’t have to! Step out of the box and try something new!

In our third segment, we’re chatting with Joe Rogers and Scott Hosteter from West End Appliance about common problems with washers and dryers. Some things we might be able to fix. Some things we might have to call them for. And some things can be avoided all together if we just take the right steps.

And to close the show, we’re going to discuss some of what we feel are the best home improvement projects. They’re all quite simple and will make you feel better about your home.

 

Listen here:

EP88: Cleaning With RepcoLite, Appliance Debate, Holiday Pet Safety, and 11th Hour Touch-Ups!

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Now, who among us really likes waiting in lines? And who thinks of going to the paint store for their cleaning supplies? We’re guessing not many people. But the truth is, RepcoLite has great cleaning supplies that many people don’t even know about. And the line is usually a lot short so you’ll save tons of time! We’re going to go through some of the cleaning supplies you can pick up next time you’re in our store.

We’ve also decided to settle some old appliance debates. And to do that, we’ve invited Joe Rogers and Scott Hosteter from West End Appliance to answer our questions. They’ll finally tell us whether we have to rinse the dishes clean BEFORE we put them in the dishwasher.

And with Christmas and the New Year right around the corner, we thought it would be good to talk with veterinarian, Dr. Jim Bader from Mapleview Animal Hospital in Holland about the possible problems our pets may encounter. Will the commotion be too much? What if they eat our Christmas feast?

And finally, we are in the 11th hour before Christmas and big painting projects are probably the last thing on people’s minds. But what happens if you have some spots on your walls and trim that look bad? Can they be fixed before guests arrive?

Of course they can! We’ve got simple, 5 minute touch up tips for the paint and stain in your house. It’s a lot easier than you think and will have your house looking almost like new before the guests arrive.

 

Listen here:

NOTES:

SEGMENT 1: Cleaning Supplies

  • Wooster Dust Eater
  • Old Paint Brush
    • Use for dusting
  • Guardsman Furniture Cleaner and Polish
  • Pump Up Wallpaper Sprayer

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EP39 – December 30, 2017: Paint Dilemmas, Kitchen Appliance Trends, Advancements in Paint

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Paint dilemmas happen all the time! To pros and to DIYers. No matter how much experience we may have, we all make a mistake from time to time. Well, today we go over a number of those common mishaps and give you everything you need to know to avoid them!

Listen here:

Show notes for Episode 039:

When we tackle a paint project there are often little mistakes we all make from time to time. Whether we're pros or whether we're new DIYers, these mistakes are easy to make! Today, we go through a list of some of the most common ones and talk about how to avoid them!

Today we're joined in the studio by Steve Rozema from Northgate Appliance. And our goal is to talk about some of the current trends in kitchen appliances. We'll cover everything from the most popular colors to the trendiest styles!

For our last segment today, we sit down with Jeff Mott the manager of our Lakewood Blvd. location. Jeff has been in the paint industry since childhood! His parents owned the Color House in Holland and, eventually, so did Jeff. Now he works for RepcoLite and we thought we'd tap his vast knowledge and years of experience to see what he thinks are some of the greatest advancements in the industry!

EP31 – November 4, 2017: New Home To-Do List, Waterblock, Clogged Drains, Washers and Dryers

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Today’s episode is a bit of a trip down memory lane! After a very busy week (and a very successful Designer Event), we just didn’t have time to do a show the way we wanted to. So we pulled 3 of our favorite segments from the past and added them to a brand new, very informative interview with Steve Rozema from Northgate Appliance. Steve walks us through the pros and cons of all the different types of washers and dryers on the market. If you’re looking at making a purchase anytime soon, you need to check this out and arm yourself with the knowledge you’ll need to make the right choice!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 031:

When people move into a new house, usually the first thing they do is unpack. But wait! Before doing that, read this list of things you should be doing as soon as you move into a new house. And even if you haven't just moved, this list might still help you get organized and prioritize home projects.

The article, 20 Things to Do When You Move Into Your New Home, originally appeared on the Family Handyman website. We took our favorite ideas and put our own spin on them. Here are our top 13 favorites:

  1. Make a prioritized list with help from everyone in the household
  2. Clean refrigerator coils
  3. Clean dryer (we covered this on Episode 8)
  4. Install a new toilet seat (we thought this was absolute brilliance! Why didn't WE think of that?!)
  5. Replace furnace filter
  6. Clean air conditioner (we covered this on Episode 5)
  7. Locate and mark main water shutoff
  8. Locate electrical panel (it might not be where you anticipate)
  9. Check smoke and CO detectors
  10. Make sure sump pump works
  11. Live in your home for a year before making major changes
  12. Make one room a retreat
  13. Meet your neighbors

A lot of people deal with wet or damp basements. And the problem is even worse after a heavy rain or in spring when snow melts. More often than not, the dampness is accompanied by a less-than-pleasant musty smell.

What most people don't know, is there's a paint that can be put on bare concrete or block that will drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the moisture that occurs in basements. And you'll be surprised at how little it costs to do! It's a great first step toward a dry, odor free basement.

How many times have you been brushing your teeth and spit the toothpaste in the sink, only to find that the drain is clogged and the water refuses to drain? Yuck!

We tackle how to unclog a drain, before you call a plumber. And Dan gets the chance to talk about his favorite plumbing tool; a sink auger. The consensus is that he likes it just because it pulls some of the most disgusting looking things from drains!

Steve Rozema from Northgate Appliance joins us to talk about washers and dryers. Which technology is the best? Front load? Top load? Agitator free? Steve has all the answers and more!