Home improvement projects extend to the outdoors now that sunshine and warm weather have become regular occurrences again. Take advantage of the great outdoors by investing in a new deck, but also invest the time and resources to keep your deck looking great for summers to come. Here are Hirshfield’s expert tips and tricks to keep your deck looking great. Read the rest of this entry »
Congratulations! You’re now a homeowner! May 1 is actually a holiday just for you – it’s “New Homeowner Day.” 
Being a homeowner can be overwhelming and the list of projects can seem endless. But think of the possibilities that are ahead of you. What colors will you choose to inspire you? Paint or wallpaper? What types of window treatments do you want? And then you head outdoors – maybe to a patio or deck or a lovely garden. When you begin to think about decorating your home think about the ‘feel’ you want to have. Do you want it to be bright or cozy, masculine or feminine, opulent or minimalist?
As a new homeowner you might be painting for the first time. Making sure you have your supplies ready to go before you start is key. You’ll want to have the right brushes, rollers, dropcloths, tape and of course paint. The professionals at Hirshfield’s can help you get exactly what you need and our video series on taping before you paint shows you just what to do before you load up your brush. You can also find out more in these posts about which window treatments are best for kids’ rooms, bright spaces and which ones will even make your home more energy efficient!
Maintenance is a big part of home ownership. Staying ahead of problems will help you tackle them before they get to be really big issues. Look for any signs of water damage or leaking – it could signal you need to get your roof looked at. Most experts recommend getting a roof inspected if it’s older than 12 years. Check your fixtures too – any leaks around a faucet or toilet could mean it needs a fix that you can likely find at a home improvement store.
A great part of owning a home is having some outdoor space to enjoy. Our blog on getting your deck ready for summer is a great place to start on what you need to get done.
Happy New Homeowner Day! To celebrate, Hirshfield’s wants to give away three Home Owner’s Journals, so you can keep track of all your invoices, color choices and home improvement projects! Just comment on this blog or on the Hirshfield’s Facebook page telling us what project you tackled or will tackle in your new home! The winner will be announced May 2!
What’s the easiest way to tackle that laundry list of home improvement projects you have posted on your refrigerator? One at a time! March 14 is International Ask a Question Day, so we decided to ask the experts at Hirshfield’s to give us their pick for the one project they would tackle first in their home. Here’s what they had to say!
One gallon of paint will do wonders for most living or family rooms. These two rooms don’t tend to have a lot of actual wall space as they are most likely filled with windows, a fireplace, an archway, etc… So, I challenge you to find something that can make more of an impact on the appearance of your home. Spend 40 bucks on a super quality can of paint that can completely change the character of the room!
– Mark Masica, Southdale Hirshfield’s
My idea would be to replace old ratty carpet with a bamboo wood floor. Not only is it “green” but it also can lighten up a dark room. Picking different sizes of the wood to match the size of the room (larger the area wider the slats, smaller room means smaller slats) can create a whole new room. Just be sure to use a good poly to seal the floor (Stays Clear, water based poly by Benjamin Moore is great). While you can stain some types, I like the natural look of the wood. For real impact you can’t beat new wood flooring!
– Mike, West St. Paul Hirshfield’s
My picks for a quick update would be:
#1 Updating paint colors-Possibly implementing fine finishes on one or two walls
#2 Updating lighting/hardware for cabinets
#3 Updating counter tops – does not need to be granite
#4 Updating blinds
– Kim, Coon Rapids Hirshfield’s
My suggestion for biggest impact would be to paint/redo your kitchen cabinets and/or woodwork in the house.
– Troy, Hudson Hirshfield’s
Don’t let your to-do list overwhelm you. Use this list of suggestions to narrow down which project you want to start on first. Be sure to stop in to your local Hirshfield’s if you have any questions or need help getting started!
With the cold weather firmly in place across Minnesota, the best place to find yourself this time of year is at home. Why not create a game room or spruce up your space to make a fun room in your house where you and your family can get together and spend quality time?
One idea for a creative game room is to pay homage to an era with a throwback theme to honor a certain decade. Vintage wall clocks, framed images of Elvis, or beaded drapes could complete a 60s style look, while neon signs, arcade games, and posters of Madonna and Price could capture the feel of the 1980s.
HGTV
Since game rooms are a place to relax, have fun, and get your mind off serious business, don’t be afraid to play with color in this space. Try a bright accent wall, and accessorize with matching shades by adding accent pillows to a couch or chair.
House Beautiful
Perhaps your playroom will be a place to store your family’s books and games. Have fun making a kid-friendly space with plenty of storage that’s both friendly and inviting.
Ohdeedoh
Of course, game rooms should also be a place where you can express yourself, or your love for your favorite sports team. Create an ode to your favorite college or professional sports team and hometown heroes and show your pride and spirit!
HGTV
Finally, draw inspiration from this remodel from one of our own Hirshfield’s employees. This basement went from an unfinished space to a sleek entertainment room. These classy quarters are the perfect space to relax with the family or company.
Entertainment Area Before
Entertainment Area After
How are you planning to renovate, remodel, or redecorate your game room?
This time of year we’re getting ready to settle in for the colder months in Minnesota. It’s a perfect time to fix up the yard and get the inside of your home in great shape.
If you’re looking to sell your home, it’s even more important to get things sparkling. Much of the advice given to people looking to sell can also help you love your home even more.
First: get rid of the clutter. Your home will feel bigger and brighter and the design you’ve created at home will really shine.
Second: this is a great time to look at the paint in your home. Give any walls that may have scratches or chips a fresh coat of paint. If you’re looking to sell you may want to go with more neutral shades of paint throughout your home.
Remember, neutral can be anything but boring. Earlier this month we talked about the top 15 paint colors and Hirshfield’s and they’re some amazing neutrals.
Third: make sure your home is spotless. You’ve taken the time to arrange the furniture, hang some amazing artwork and make spaces seem larger through the use of mirrors, and you don’t want grunge turning off a buyer. This is a time to clean like you’ve never cleaned before! You really want to bring a shine to the surfaces in your home.
Don’t forget the outside of your home! Shutters and doors can really get a fresh, new look with a new coat of paint. Mark Masica from Hirshfield’s has some great advice in this post on painting your shutters. Also, clear away any dead plants or debris to keep your yard and landscaping looking well-cared for.
Have you ever started a home-improvement project thinking it would take about two weekends and it ends up taking about, ohhhhh….. six?
Every good DIY’er knows to expect the unexpected when it comes to projects around the house, and our blogger friend, Amy (@teruterubouzu) at China Shepherdess, is no exception! She has been working hard on her latest project – the living room – overcoming challenges and choosing paint colors. But we think the end result has been worth the wait, and we hope she does too!
Check out her latest post here.
Thanks for the update, Amy!
When my son Jack was four, all he wanted was a “Tim-the-Toolman-Taylor” room, a phrase he quickly and repeatedly pronounced as one word! My creativity kicked into high gear and I came up with a cozy room for him, papering the walls with a denim jeans look-alike on the bottom half, a light blue linen design on the top to give the effect of a chambray shirt, and a chair-rail border of a full tool belt — of course, I spent hours carefully trimming the top of the border around each tool so that the whole effect looked like a carpenter’s work clothes. We got him a double bunk bed and dresser, and I found some great denim comforters at a store in the Albertville outlet mall. Very cozy, indeed!
Fast-forward to today and my soon-to-be 13-year-old is in desperate need of a change! The only thing holding me back is stripping the wallpaper. But with great advice from the folks at Hirshfield’s, I tinted the Zinsser primer/sizing combo to match the wallpaper color when I put it on years ago and I am hoping that the process is relatively painless. My 22-year old Peter — who spent the summer painting and stripping wallpaper — has even agreed to help, so it’s time to get started.
Hirshfield's Color Club 