EP74: Van Raalte Farm, Hammers, and Fall Home Maintenance

A while back, Betsy got involved with the restoration of the Van Raalte Farm in Holland. She worked with Carolina Marquis to choose wallpaper and paint for the main level, as well as paint colors for the exterior. It is an ongoing project and a true labor of love for everyone involved.

In the first two segments we talk to Steve Zwiep, the City of Holland Parks Supervisor. He has overseen the ongoing restoration of the Van Raalte Farm. He gives us a brief history and walks us through the many projects a historic restoration takes.

In segment 3 we talk about hammers. Now, this may seem boring, but there is so much more to consider when buying a hammer than we ever knew! It’s time to find the one that’s PERFECT for you!

And finally, Home Repair Services in Grand Rapids has a great Fall Home Maintenance class. And we are getting a sneak peek!

Listen here:

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENTS 1 & 2: VAN RAALTE FARM RESTORATION

This has been an amazing restoration project. Reproductions of historic wallpapers and historic paint colors now adorn the walls. The exterior has a fresh coat of paint and a new porch. It is a truly beautiful farm that is something you should really check out! CLICK HERE to see everything the farm has to offer!

SEGMENT 4: FALL HOME MAINTENANCE 

Now we’ve talked about this non-profit a lot, but for good reason. They have so much to offer homeowners. Mike Zamarron from Home Repair Services in Grand Rapids stops by to give us a sneak peek of the FREE Fall Home Maintenance class they’re holding today. And if you can’t make it to this class, check out some of the other free “Fix-It School” classes they offer that are open to anyone; even if you live in the U.P. or out of state and are willing to make the drive!

EP69: RepcoLite is Born, Bugs Be Gone!, Betsy’s Toolbox: 3rd Edition

On today’s show we are doing something a little different. You see, before we had this show, we had a podcast. And for one of our podcasts, we interviewed Dave and Dan Altena, the former and current President of RepcoLite. It was a GREAT interview but it was an hour long…and that’s too long for this show. So we’ve decided to share with you the first part of the interview. It covers how RepcoLite came to be, how the paint was made, and how we got our crazy name! It’s a very interesting listen!

And, after staring at the dead bugs plastered on the front of Betsy’s car, we decided to try out some of the methods from the internet and compare them with things you can buy off the shelf. Our results were very stunning! The stuff we thought would be great didn’t always work and the methods we thought couldn’t possible work really surprised us.

And last but not least, we have a 3rd installment of Betsy’s Toolbox. We discuss 6 tools Betsy just can’t live without. Most of them are tools that you might not use every day but they are ones you certainly want to have on hand when the need arises.

Listen here:

SEGMENT 3: Bugs Be Gone!

Just in case you’re looking for a list of our recommended methods for removing bugs from your grill, here it is:

First Place: The Bug Sponge!

Second Place: Used Dryer Sheets and Water!

 

Third Place: Turtlewax Power Foam Bug and Tar Remover!

EP44 – February 3, 2018: Finding the Right Builder, Wallpaper Hanging 101, and The Walls of Death!

 

Did you know that wallpaper not only could kill, but quite literally has killed? In a strange historical story from wallpaper’s checkered past, we learn about one of the most bizarre episodes in decorating history. We’re also in the studio with custom home builder, Bob Snowden to discuss how we can make the best choices when it comes to hiring a contractor!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 044:

Building a new home or remodeling your existing home is often one of those projects that often require an expert. But when that time comes, we're faced with a tough decision: how do we find the right expert? There are so many out there, which builder or contractors is the one with whom you'll work the best?

We sit down with Bob Snowden from Snowden Builders and talk about some of the key qualities to look for when you're making your choice. And while he highlights some of the basics, he feels the main quality to look for is . . . .  Well, you'll have to listen to find out!

And by the way, the creepy intro music we used was a song for free use on YouTube. Here's the legal stuff: Medusa by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby4.0)

I want to paper one wall in my 1/2 bath. What is the most important thing to do before I start and while I'm hanging?

It's a great question that came in on our Facebook page and we decided to give it the full, on-air treatment! Listen for the full response, but here's a quick summary:
  • Choose the right paper: make sure it's suited for a room that could experience moisture.
  • Size the walls: A lot of people skip this step, but it is very beneficial. It'll make it a little easier to put the paper up (the paper slips on the sizer and you can move it around). It also makes it easier to remove!
  • Start with a straight line: when hanging the paper, make sure you start with a straight line (use a level or some other method). Don't just assume that the corner is straight!
  • Get help: work with someone else! That means you've got a second brain on hand, a second set of eyes looking at the work, and more importantly, someone to refill your beverage when necessary!
  • Snap a new razor blade EVERY TIME you make a cut! This will help make sure that you don't tear the paper because of a slightly dulled blade!

This is easily one of our favorite segments of all time! It's a historical look at a crazy chapter in the world of decorating...

To summarize (without giving the whole fun story away), in the 19th Century arsenic was used to create vivid pigments that were then used in dyes and inks, on clothing, in paint, on food, and on wallpaper! Turns out, installing arsenic-laced wallpaper was actually a poor decision when it came to the health of you and your family! (Who would have thought!)

It's an interesting segment and is definitely worth a listen!

Shadows from the Walls of Death!

On the show, we talked about a rare book that you can view in the rare book collection at MSU. There were 100 copies produced in 1874 and now, only a handful remain. One of them is at MSU. Another is at the U of M. At any rate, the book actually contains actual arsenic-laced samples of the wallpapers that were common in the early to late 19th Century. It is a piece of bizarre decorating history you can hold in your hands! (And the pages are now encapsulated in plastic, so you're safe!) However, if you're not up for a road trip, here's a link to a beautiful full-color scan of the book! Check it out!
 

LadderTalk Podcast 2: RepcoLite–The Stories Behind the Name

In this special episode of Color Me Home, Betsy and Dan interview Dave and Dan Altena, the 2nd and 3rd generation of presidents at RepcoLite Paints. With 2016 being RepcoLite’s 70th Anniversary, they thought it was the perfect time to sit down and talk about how the business started, how much the paint industry has changed in 70 years, and even how the name “RepcoLite” came about in the first place! It’s a great opportunity to listen in to the stories and realize the commitment required to build a successful business from the ground up!

Episode Outline

  • Introductions (0:47)
  • The History of RepcoLite (1:22)
  • The Origins of the RepcoLite Name (11:35)
  • How the Industry Changed Over 70 Years (16:40)
  • What Does the Future Look Like? (53:24)

Enjoy a Slideshow of Old Photos From RepcoLite’s History!

Color Me Home Episode 15: RepcoLite–The Stories Behind the Name

In this special episode of Color Me Home, Betsy and Dan interview Dave and Dan Altena, the 2nd and 3rd generation of presidents at RepcoLite Paints. With 2016 being RepcoLite’s 70th Anniversary, they thought it was the perfect time to sit down and talk about how the business started, how much the paint industry has changed in 70 years, and even how the name “RepcoLite” came about in the first place! It’s a great opportunity to listen in to the stories and realize the commitment required to build a successful business from the ground up!

Episode Outline

  • Introductions (0:47)
  • The History of RepcoLite (1:22)
  • The Origins of the RepcoLite Name (11:35)
  • How the Industry Changed Over 70 Years (16:40)
  • What Does the Future Look Like? (53:24)

Enjoy a Slideshow of Old Photos From RepcoLite’s History!