Blog Description

Remodeling tips, trends, ideas, and a few things thrown in for giggles

November 30, 2010

Uber-Cool Solutions for Tiny Kitchens

TThe recent economic downturn has not only meant the demise of the McMansion style houses but has also caused many of us to take inventory of our life styles, tighten our belts and seek pocket book friendly alternatives.  If you’ve responded to the changes in the financial environment by downsizing your digs, or have moved to an apartment in the city to conserve gas on the commute, you’ve no doubt found yourself with quite a bit less room than you’re accustomed to.  Fear not, faithful Dusty Hammer followers, we’ve gathered from the far reaches of the internet this list of ultra tiny space saving kitchens designed to pack a lot of functionality into a very little space. 

The chic micro cookery created by German designers Kristin Laass and Norman Ebelt looks like a sophisticated and attractive cabinet.  When collapsed the “kitchen” takes up just over 10 sq/ft of floor space but hidden inside this contemporary dining room furniture is a fully loaded, fully functional kitchen complete with an induction cook-top, refrigerator, convection oven/microwave, and storage for various kitchen tools and dishes – they even threw in a kitchen sink.  Check out the photo montage for this tiny cook space at DigsDigs 


Circle® Kitchen from Compact Concepts is a nifty little kitchen that takes its cues from a revolving department store door.    This “totally tubular” kitchen design (our apologies for the bad pun) comes complete with a cook-top, oven/microwave combo, sink, dishwasher, breakfast bar, range hood, dual waste bins and an arm lengths list of other amenities – it even includes a concealed power-strip for the coffee maker and built-in halogen lights.  All wrapped neatly in a pretty little round package offered in a wide variety of colors and textures sure to suit almost any taste – our favorite is Ferrari Red. 

At just under 20 sq ft of space this all in one unit provides practically everything you’d need to prep your next gourmet meal – and it all fits in about the same space as a small closet.  Oh, and did we mention the whole unit rotates?!  Think of never having to walk around the kitchen again…  go from the sink to the fridge to oven with a spin of the wrist - try doing that with a conventional kitchen!   To get your new Circle® Kitchen brochure visit CompactConcepts.com (I hear they even have leasing options). 


Best known for their
high fashion handbags, the Fendi name has become synonymous with luxury, good taste and style. Now Fendi is putting their stamp of approval on an ultra modern, ultra tiny kitchen under the Fendi Casa brand name.  The fashion forward design company put its creative prowess to the test by designing a fully functional super stylish kitchen that fits into less than 8’ of wall space – total.  The resulting super chic compact cucina (that’s Italian for kitchen) could well be called “culinary couture.” 

Concealed behind the luxurious black, chocolate or ivory doors sporting the signature opposing F logo, is a swanky studio kitchen that has it all – stove, sink, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator and dishwasher with glass shelves and stainless steel accents in a tastefully done (duh) retro mod design.   The doors and drawers in this stylish kitchen are push/pull assist for easy opening and closing, and for one last bit of wow you can even choose to have the sexy wardrobe doors that hide it all, open whisper quiet with just a touch.  Visit the Fendi site to find out where you can get your hands on one.


If the above options are still too much space for your comfy condo why not give Christopher Meyer and Vicky Muller's kitchen concept a try.  “Kleine kuche,” which translated from german means small kitchen, is an attempt to integrate all the necessary elements of a culinary space into a single piece of furniture. The design, which resembles a nice looking modern dining table with bulging legs, conceals behind skins of silicon all the necessary mechanical components (ie plumbing and electrical) to make the table a fully functioning kitchen and provides a space for items like pots and pans to be stored out of the way.  This cleverly camouflaged kitchen not only seats 4 but cooks and cleans for them as well; incorporating both an induction cook-top and sink. Click here for more information.



When tastes lean toward the graphic novel (ie comic book) motif, Oma’s Rache (Grandma’s Revenge) may be just what you’re looking for.  This smart kitchen concept magically transforms a seemingly solid wall with a 2 dimensional piece of art into a full kitchen and dining area.  The decked out eatery comes complete with built-in sink, dishwasher, cooking surface, storage units, table, and benches - that all slide out with the wave of a hand.  If you’re in need of a space saving option with some futuristic Jetsons-like coolness don’t let the spiteful name fool you, this is one sweet little kitchen design.  For additional details and photos on Grandma's Revenge visit tinyhouse.com

November 24, 2010

Contemporary Style: Modern Sinks



Ah, the bathroom sink – this oft neglected element of the restroom has patiently waited for it's time in the sun as we have gone about our business -  washing our hands after using the lavatory (providing we weren't raised in a barn), using it to freshen up for a evening on the town, and  brushing “the fangs” in preparation for bed.  It is has accepted being the object of scorn as we prepare the loo for house guests and the cause of more than one marital argument over the amount of hair contained therein.   Perhaps it's time to give this hard working household "member" a face lift.  No longer need the washbasin be a boring white porcelain bowl - today these functional fixtures can also be strikingly beautiful works of art.

Bold colors and a striking amoeba shaped sink add a touch of whimsy 
to this otherwise monochromatic bathroom space
Of course bathroom sinks come in more varieties than we could hope to innumerate in a single blog post so, for now, we’re content to focus on some of the modern bathroom sinks designs. You know, the ones with clean lines, compelling shapes, and/or made from interesting materials.  We realize that even within the realm of contemporary sink design the variety is vast but hey, we like looking at photos of contempo sinks and we’re hoping you do, too.



Deep toned mahogany contrast nicely with the bright white
porcelain sink and "mod" counter-top application
Free floating (cantilevered) sinks with a wide drawer bank
below provide storage as well as some flair... though your

sinks will likely need plumbing (unlike these pictured) so 
make sure you have some nice chromed pipes.
Floating vanities provide storage without taking up without 
taking up a lot of visual space.   We humans like to see 
our floors.


What the shell?!  Sorry we couldn't resist.








Our question is… as aesthetically pleasing as modern sink design can be,  we’re a little concerned that some might be too pretty to really get down to business.  What do you think – would you have to think twice before spitting your toothpaste into one of these modern vessels?

November 23, 2010

Amazing Design Ad from Ralph Lauren

A couple of weeks ago Ralph Lauren opened a new store on Madison Ave in New York.  As part of the ribbon cutting ceremonies the famed designer employed a series of high intensity HD projectors powered by lasers (either that or technology from extra terrestrials) to broadcast a fanciful multimedia advertisement onto the new store front.  From mystical lights swirling in and out of windows lighting the store as it goes to designer handbags floating in mid-air to building facades exploding open with Polo players in a heated game balanced on the balconies of the store, this truly impressive display will have you “oohing” and aahing” the entire 7 minutes.  Ralph Lauren calls it the world’s first 4D experience… we just call it “Freakin’ Sweet!”
    
We're not even going to venture a guess as to the exact dollars and cents Mr. Lauren had to pay to bring this spectacle to life but Kudos to the team who did.  We’ve never seen anything even remotely close.  Our one disappointment is that this one time event was able to be seen by so few.  Nevertheless, even from the glow of computer monitor the feat is pretty impressive.   Check it out.


The Official Ralph Lauren 4D Experience - New York from Ralph Lauren on Vimeo.

Then check out some of the behind the scenes footage on how they made it happen.  It’s well worth a look.


The Official Ralph Lauren 4D Experience – Behind The Scenes from Ralph Lauren on Vimeo.

November 17, 2010

Hardwood Floor Made From Recycled Newspaper

Cool Products: NewspaperWood

It looks like wood, feels like wood, it sands and cuts like wood, but it’s not wood – at least not exactly.  You’ve more than likely heard about construction products that use post-consumer waste in their manufacturing - carpet using plastic resins from PET bottles, insulation using old denim fabrics, or concrete boards strengthened with strands of glass from recycled bottles, now you can say hello to the new “kid” in town – NewspaperWood.   

A couple of creative young design firms from the Netherlands have teamed up to develop a fashionable way to reduce the 41.7 million tons of newsprint that make its way into landfills every year by recycling the perused periodicals into a durable floor covering.

NewspaperWood is essentially compressed discarded newspapers rolled into “logs” then cut into flat planks (in much the same fashion hardwood boards are cut).  The resulting product is surprisingly strong and possesses many of the same properties of the conventional stuff – it even has “grain” like a traditional piece of wood.   "Hardwood" floor that's made from paper that's made from wood…  sort of a new spin on the whole “which came first” quandary.

Don't go racing out to the building supply store just yet.  NewspaperWood is not quite ready for mass production, but do keep your eyes peeled.  In a few years you could very well be standing on flooring made out of the newspaper articles written about the floor you’re standing on...  now if only they could figure out a way to do something with old blogs.

For more information on NewspaperWood check out the Vij5 or Mieke Meijer website.  

November 15, 2010

Remodeling With an Eye on Resale

"Potential home buyers spook easily – loud noises, black cats, and unfinished projects can have them running for their car faster than you can say "Seller pays closing."


It’s not news that the current housing market is a tad soft.  There are more homes and fewer buyers, which means lower prices - good news if you are buying… not so much if you are planning to sell.  But just because the market is soft does not mean there aren't buyers willing to pay a fair price for your domicile.  It simply means that if you are looking to sell your house in this cut-throat real estate market, it's more important than ever that your home stands out.   
As you look for ways to distinguish your residence from that of “the neighbor’s” a good place to start is the list of planned upgrades that has been slowly but steadily growing since you moved in.  These upgraded amenities can have big payoffs both in dollars and time on the market, but be careful, poorly executed or unnecessary renovations can have highly unfavorable results.  


Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when preparing to remodel your home with the goal of getting potential buyers in the door (and offers on the table). 

Think like a “flipper”
Ever notice how the cars on a used car lot are always clean, with no visible defects and often sporting a new paint job?  Even the tires have been shined!  There's a reason for that.  The same principles that work so well selling second-hand cars apply to selling your home - a clean, bright house, emptied of clutter and with newly painted walls is practically the real estate equivalent of "that new car smell."  So don't underestimate the value a couple cans of paint and a few hours straightening up can add to your home's sale price.


As much as we criticize “house flippers” for swooping in to buy houses cheap, doing a quick fix, and flipping the domicile, the fact of the matter is, “flippers” (yes they are still out there) really do get houses sold.  Follow their successful models.  That is, distance yourself emotionally from the house and look at it from a buyer's point of view – try not only seeing it as an investment but imagine walking through the front door for the first time looking to possibly purchase.    

Obviously this is “easier said than done.”  Separating ourselves emotionally from our home in order to objectively critique it is not an easy proposition, which is one of the reasons there is nearly 10 months of housing inventory on the market.  This is where the services of a professional remodel contractor and experienced real estate agent can prove invaluable.  These seasoned pros can provide you with helpful insights to your property and assist you to see things from a “buyer’s eye view.”  



Curb Appeal
Many buyers determine whether or not a house is worth a second look or more importantly a walk through based on what they see from the street.  If you can’t get them out of their car, there likely won’t be a sale. 

Landscaping is an inexpensive way to gain huge points with buyers.  Some new shrubs and flowers set in freshly laid bark can make a huge impact. Keep the yard neatly trimmed, prune those uncomely bushes and trees in the front yard and make sure the debris and leaves are cleaned.  It's may be worth your time to contact a local landscaper or remodeling contractor to tackle some of the problems that are too big for you or to finish projects you’ve been putting off.

Remember, potential home buyers spook easily – loud noises, black cats, and unfinished projects can have them running for their car faster than you can say “seller pays closing.”   Those "little" problems with your home you  affectionately refer to as "quirks" may not be so easily overlooked by someone thinking of purchasing.  Potential home buyers quickly fixate on exterior issues - the leaning mailbox and broken steps that no longer seem like such a big deal to you, could be a deal-breaker for a potential buyer.  Hanging gutters and broken shingles could mean scratching you off their list of possibilities.   Taking care of these items could save you thousands on the negotiantions table.  And while your at it, slap a new coat of paint on the front door, or better yet replace it with a more attractive one.  Replacing an entry door is a fairly simple project that can add as much as 130% of the money you paid to the selling price.  Making your entry way as inviting as possible is practically money in the pocket.  As always, if the project seems overwhelming don’t be afraid to call in a professional who can help you repair these items and offer suggestions for other areas of concern you may have overlooked 



Forget the "Wishlist"
When you’ve been bit by the remodel bug it’s easy to fall victim to the belief that the laundry list of upgrades you’ve wanted to do for years will automatically equate to higher profits.  Unfortunately this is often not the case.  You rarely get everything you put into a renovation in dollars and cents, and while some of the value is returned through intangibles (ie selling a house faster) often these upgrades are for your own personal benefit.  The upgrades you think are so vital may have little to no value for the new owners.  So, forget your own wish-list and look at the house from a buyer’s point of view.  When in doubt, apply the adage coined by famed architect Mies Van der Rohe "Less is more."  In other words, if it seems too complicated or too much it probably is.  


Fix it
There are times when it pays to bring in the “big guns.”  Some homes have a major problem that will keep buyers away in droves. The lopsided and broken front door with blistered paint is a major problem.  If there’s no dining room, that’s a major problem. No garage door opener, you guessed it. Fortunately there are several larger upgrades that can not only help move your house faster but will give you a fairly good Return On Investment (ROI). 

REMODELING magazine recently published their annual Cost vs. Value Report.  The report considers 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain when it comes time to sell.   Not surprisingly almost every area is down from a few years ago but there are projects that give you a decent ROI and more importantly could mean the difference between a house with a sold sign in the yard and one that sits.

When addressing these larger issues it's best to isolate the single most obvious one and fix it, then continue down the line evaluating each for the value it can bring to the table.  You will often find these issues can be taken care of quickly and fairly inexpensively.  The rest is in the details.  

November 11, 2010

THANK-YOU FREEBIES FOR VETERANS!!!

On this Veterans Day, we at the Dusty Hammer join the rest of the Nation in extending our love and appreciation to the many men and women who have stood (or continue to stand) in the line of fire to preserve and defend this great country. 

In that spirit we bring you this list of Veterans Day Goodies from Military.com.  Some of the highlights that made the list include:
  • Free Veterans Day meals from National restaurant chains like Applebee’s, Chili’s, Golden Corral and many more,  
  • A free collapsible walking cane from Sam’s Club 
  • And discounts from numerous retail stores. 
Click here for the full list of Veteran Day Discounts and Freebies.

             Note: Check your local paper for the countless local businesses who wish to express their appreciation with similar offerings of gratitude.  


From the bottom of our hearts we salute you and thank-you for your selfless service!   


God Bless!



November 10, 2010

Giant Edible Gingerbread Playhouse

Hansel and Gretel, eat your hearts out! 
  Ever wonder what it would be like to spend the weekend as Willy Wonka’s guest?  Well my saccharin seeking friends wonder no more… Our pals at Neiman Marcus have heard your candy coated cries and have answered with a 1000 pound confectionery mini-manor.


This year the famed high end retail chain brings the Edible Gingerbread Playhouse by Dylan's Candy Bar to their over the top Christmas wishlist book.   Yep, you read that correctly the EDIBLE PLAYHOUSE.  


They claim the sugary domicile is big enough to satisfy even the "healthiest" of sweet-tooths - we say, "No Duh!".  At 6 ft 6 in tall, 5 ft 3 in wide and 4 ft deep, this enormous cookie hut is more than just a way to satiate a sugar craving... it's job security for an army of dentists.

The half ton candy structure is made from 381 lbs. of gingerbread, 517 lbs. of royal icing and literally thousands of gourmet sweets, including oversized gummies, mints, gumdrops, and cookies, all topped with a candy-encrusted roof (there's even a lollipop tree inside, just for good measure). 

But, at $15000 this is one Christmas cookie you won't be seeing on a Black Friday door buster list any time soon.  Then again -  our sources tell us that if you can hold out until the day after Christmas sale they’ll be practically giving ‘em away – of course the 2000 gallons of milk required to keep from going into a sugar induced coma will offset most of your savings.          

November 9, 2010

Nanotechnology and the Construction Industry

We’ve been waiting our whole blogging career (all three weeks) to say this… Nanotechnology has finally arrived! 

No, not those awesome microscopic sci-fi robots that can mend a punctured lung while an android makes you the perfect caramel mocha latte.  We’re talking about real life construction materials that are less than 1/50,000th the size of a human hair. 

These nano-scaled building technologies are poised to make a big impact in the construction industry; offering everything from 2x4s that won't burn to concrete that won't crack.  But not everyone is so keen on adopting them into widespread use.
  
A new report by ACS Nano analyzes the findings of over 140 studies done on the uber-tiny construction materials - citing the benefits as well as the possible harmful health and environmental impacts.  Click here to read the report – unless, of course, you really have a cyber-genetic maid that fixes your morning “cup of joe” – then this stuff is probably old hat.  

Homeowner's Insurance: Questions and Answers

The Dusty Hammer asked Dustin Wood with Mountain Tyme Construction to share his expertise on homeowner’s insurance and insurance claims

Dusty Hammer:  How important is homeowner’s insurance? 
Dustin Wood:  Insurance is one of those weird products we buy in hopes we will never use.  It’s hard to spend money on things we don’t want, but properly insuring your home against disasters is vital. 
Too often we buy into the extended warranties for HDTVs and insurance for our smart phones but fail to carry sufficient insurance for the things we really couldn’t afford to replace.

DH:  How do we know we have sufficient coverage?
DW:  It’s estimated that somewhere between 60% and 70% of insured homeowners are under-insured.  This equates to hundreds of millions of dollars in lost insurance claims every year!  If you’re not sure of your coverage level, ask. 
I also recommend you have the insurance company perform an analysis of your home's replacement value (this is done at no cost to you).  You can still opt for less coverage but you are able to make a more informed decision about the policy coverage you are comfortable with and the potential risks and costs - both present and future.  You don’t want to have to wonder when you’re standing in front of the charred remains of what used to be your home.

DH:   In the event of an in home disaster, what should a homeowner do?
DW:  Providing that the occupants are not in mortal peril, the first things the homeowner should do is place a call to his insurance agent.  Then go about trying to minimize the impact the occurrence will have on your life and property.  


Often homeowners put off making a call to their insurance agent fearing a hike in their premiums.  The truth is that Home Owner’s Insurance premiums don’t generally work that way.  Unlike automobile insurance,which is based on your personal record, homeowners insurance premiums are based on the performance of a region.  Your homeowners insurance may increase the next time it’s up for renewal but this increase has little to do with your individual claim.  So pick up the phone, make your agent earn their commission and get yourself whole again.      

DH:  What can people expect when they file a claim?
DW:  A pretty common course of events can be illustrated by the experience of a recent client.  The couple had returned home late one night from an extended family visit out of town.  As they walked down the unlit corridor to their room they heard what she later described as potato chips crunching under foot.    
While they were on vacation, their front load washing machine’s fill valve had failed and water soaked their recently installed pre-finished hardwood flooring all the way to the underlayment.  The “crunching potato chips” sound was the finish on their hard wood floor, which had delaminated as it swelled and cracked. 
Early the next morning they called their agent with the news.  After going over some general information with them, the agent arranged a time for an assessor to stop by the following day.  At the agreed upon time the assessor came by with a disaster clean up team in tow.  
The damage was evaluated and the disaster cleanup team immediately went to work removing the swollen flooring.  They then set up industrial fans to dry out the wet subfloor and limit further damage both above and below the house.  Their agent followed up with the homeowners the same day the assessor finished to help them decide how they would like to proceed with the repairs. 

DH:  So the insurance company lines up the repair work?
DW:  No.  While they usually coordinate the disaster clean up crew in order to limit the damage, but choosing the contractor for the repair work is left up to the homeowner.  
Most insurance companies have a list of contractors they can recommend but ultimately the decision falls to the homeowner.
 
DH:  Can a homeowner do the repairs themselves?
DW:   Yes.  If you feel comfortable doing the work yourself you could save yourself a significant amount of money – on the other hand, shoddy workmanship could cost you thousands in resale value. 
Talk with a qualified professional contractor to discuss what areas you are thinking about tackling yourself.  You may find the areas you can do are not worth the effort you’d have to put into them. 
If you do decide to do some of the work many contractors are willing to work with clients – but be sure to ask up front.  Keep in mind however that if they have to wait on you to finish something you chose to do, you may not only cost yourself time by delaying progress but could wind up costing more money than you thought you were going to save in the first place.  Bottom line: You don't want to end up with a house full of inadequately or half finished projects so make sure you're up to the task you choose to do - there are some things best left to a professional contractor. 

DH:  What is covered by insurance?
DW:  Insurance, generally speaking, is for sudden and unpremeditated damages.  Damage that is caused by long term exposure to something (like a slow leak in a pipe rotting floorboards) are usually classified as neglect and not covered.  A good rule of thumb is if you can put an exact date when damage occurred (like Oct 12) it is likely covered.   There are a few exceptions but I think you'll find that most damages that would impact you are covered.  
About a year ago, my mother was at home waiting for the return of my father from a hunting trip.  As afternoon gave way to evening she tried to keep herself from worrying about him by focusing on the household chores.  My mom has always believed dishwashers do an inadequate job of sanitizing her dinnerware, so for as long as I can remember she flat out refused to have one of those fancy dishwashing contraptions in her home.  “Besides,” she protests. “My way conserves water.”  That’s mom for you, “green” long before green was cool. 
Anyways, listening to the water filling the sink basin soon gave way to other more personal matters.  In a flash she was off to the “ladies room” leaving the warm sudsy water to finish filling the sink.   When she got out of the bathroom the phone rang and soon the dishes and more importantly the filling sink basin were completely forgotten.  She happily went on with other tasks she had elsewhere in the house as the steady flow of sink water streamed across her counter, down her cabinetry and collected in a rapidly growing puddle on the kitchen floor.  
A few hours later my father returned home with his prize deer and was greeted by 3” of standing water.  
When my parents had exhausted the last towel in the house trying to clean up the mess, they discovered much to their chagrin, that the moisture had not been limited to the kitchen. The errant dishwater had run down the wall and created in a huge indoor pool in what used to be the basement. 
Shortly thereafter my mother called me for advice.  After I heard the extent of the damage as she described this mom-made torrential downpour, the swollen cabinetry and subfloor, and the lake dad was now considering stocking with fish downstairs, I chastised her (in a loving son sort of way) for not having called her insurance company first.  She confided that she was a bit embarrassed about her “senior moment” and was convinced her insurance didn’t cover acts of stupidity.  The purpose of insurance is to make sure that personal disasters don’t become financial disasters.  So I told her to hang up and call her insurance agent right away, which she did. 
Insurance paid for all of the repairs.  Mom hired a contractor she was comfortable with who gave her some great design advice (tooting my own horn just a little) and helped get her whole again.  She now has a kitchen she loves even more than the original and jokes she should have had that senior moment years ago. 
The scary part is what might have happened if she had failed to call her insurance fearing they wouldn’t cover foolishness or that her folly might cause her insurance premiums to go up.  Not only could there have been potential health hazards like mold growing unseen behind the wall board, but had something else happened as a result of this accident, she could have voided her insurance entirely.   Homeowners have the responsibility to mitigate their loss - fix the problem as quickly as possible in order to keep the cost down. If you fail in this duty your neglect can void your insurance coverage altogether.  
The moral of the story is:  when facing a major home disaster, you paid for the insurance, use it when you need it - be it natural calamities or disasters of stupidity the absolute worst thing you could do is NOT make the call.    

November 8, 2010

15 Great Christmas Gifts for the DIYer on Your List

Let’s face it, DIYers are a special breed – you may as well forget buying them a nice sweater, it’ll wind up covered in caulk or paint, HDTV, what for?! Who needs to see Norm Avram in high def anyways...  and while they may still enjoy a techno gadget or two, a new impact driver is what really gets their engines revving.

If any of this sound familiar, you're not alone - there are support groups... and now the perfect Christmas list from The Dusty Hammer.  Our crack team of bloggers have scoured the web - for almost an hour ;o) and have underdeveloped this semi-inclusive list of 15 cool gifts with the DIY recipient in mind.
  
While we can appreciate the merits of a gift like the Bosch 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Driver Combo Set (that even now gets us a little light headed just typing about) we've largely Ignored the standard DIY gifts - choosing instead to focus on an assortment of unique gifts that are sure to make even the most discerning DIYer light up (and their circle of friends turn green with envy). 

CRAFTSMAN HEATED WORK JACKET 

Sears calls it revolutionary workwear,  we call it "toasty goodness."  With three temperature settings between 85-110 degrees F, this little heat producing treasure will keep the handyperson in your life working on that honey-do list long into the frigid months of the year.  The rechargeable system keeps the temperature nice and balmy for up to 5 hours and with a two-year wear-out warranty this stylish work jacket will be around for the long haul.   



TOOKS CLASSIC HEADPHONE BEANIE

No doubt you’ve seen beanies with built-in headphones before, but most of ‘em are ill-fitting, substandard and totally unstylish - thus rendering them useless. 
Tooks CLASSIC Headphone Hat With Built-in Removable Headphones - COLOR: GRAYThankfully Tooks headphone hats are the real deal: cranium-snuggling beanies with high quality integrated ‘phones. And unlike crummy rivals  these ultra-comfy babies actually cover your ears. Tooks Headphone Hats’ internal ‘phones stay flush with your lugholes no matter how much head- banging you do. Keeping your head warm and your earphones in place has never been easier. 


                                            ZIPPO HAND WARMER
Zippo Handy Warmer - Hand Warmer
Cold hands, warm heart… what a bunch of hooey.  If their hands are icy you can bet your frozen bottom the rest of them is pretty darn cold too.  Oh sure, you could get ‘em those fingerless wool
 glove numbers with the little mitten cover that Velcros down.  But to really impress your buddies you gotta have the latest and greatest not last year's must have.  The maker’s of the worlds most iconic lighter have come to the rescue of frostbitten handymen the world over with their ultra stylish Zippo Hand Warmer.  
This little stainless steel puppy is more than just a pretty face; radiating up to ten times more heat than rival hand warmers and up to 12 hours with a single 12ml filling of lighter fuel – and all that without a flame!  Harnessing the power of catalytic combustion (as best as I can figure it’s like having a full-on fire in your pocket without all the burning ashes) the guys at Zippo have come up with one cool gift that’s sure to keep ‘em warm! 

                                   MAGNOGRIP
MagnoGrip 311-090 Magnetic Wristband
What do you get when you cross a high powered magnet with a 80s style tennis wristband?  The prototype for the next must have tool.  Sure, at first glance the Magnogrip looks kinda like a Power Ranger action bracelet, but how many times have you gotten the muffled call from the crawl space 

under your house to pass a 2” screw through the heating vent?  
Screws, nails, bolts, or whatever other little metal pieces DIYers are forever searching for can now be held securely in place thanks to this little hummer.  Your DIYer will love having full use of both hands while still keeping their fasteners close by.  And you'll love them keeping those little things out of their mouth - which means they can now call you for other important things, like hailing the fire department to help them off the roof.   

  
           BIRCH CLOCK
Forget counting the rings of a tree - this birch wood block actually tells the time!  Thanks to a bright LED projector and a clever projection method through thin veneers of wood, this unremarkable looking piece of birch becomes a really cool clock with a "magic" digital display.  
Not only does it include the standard 12/24 hour time format, date, alarm with 6-cycle snooze, it also includes a night/economic power mode where the LED brightness automatically reduces between 6pm and 7am and even conceals two internally powered speakers, strategically placed for optimum audio output of your connected portable device (iPod, MP3, MP4, etc).  It's almost a whole new classification of cool - DIY geek chic. 

GLOW BRICK

Glow Brick Blue Night LightBehold the "Glow Brick."  We weren't quite sure where to classify this little guy, perhaps sometimes cool things shouldn't be classified - just admired.  This weird and wonderful block of acrylic is a deliciously strange piece of lighting, it contains a disembodied phosphorescent light bulb that seems to float within its transparent surroundings. As darkness falls, the bulb begins to glow a ghostly shade of green or blue, gently bathing its surroundings in ethereal light. Stranger  till, the Glow Brick seems to be powered by phantom forces, there's no power cord, battery box or on/off switch. But don't go jumping under the bed in distress just yet - this ingenious piece of mood lighting is actually solar powered. By day, the Glow Brick serves as an eye-catching tabletop ornament soaking up natural light, by night, well... it really has to be seen to be disbelieved. 


RECLAIMED TOOL DESK CADDY

Uncommongoods.com offers this slick one of a kind desk caddy and pencil cup that is sure to toughen-up even the wimpiest of desks.  These unique handmade pieces are comprised of reclaimed tools, metal and rugged welding.  It's a handyman's dream - when he has to be at the office. http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/wrench-desk-caddy-and-pliers-pencil-cup


                                   LEVEL CUFFLINKS

Working Green Level Cufflinks Gift BoxedFor the DIYer who can cut a 2x4 as well as he can “cut a rug.” Outfit your favorite handyman with these stylish sterling silver  cuff links. Made with real working levels, these cuff links will be the hit of the party as he displays a bit of his personality with some extra panache.  And for under $10 bucks, how can you go wrong? 

 

 

DUCTI WALLET (CLASSIC)

Ducti Wallet (Classic)What better way to show 'em you care than to say it with Duct Tape.   This silvery Super Duct Tape wallet won't lift, peel or get sticky, but it will keep their cards and bills safe in true DIY style. Reinforced metal holes accommodate a security chain, and the divided billfold, four built-in cardholders and four-page clear plastic insert hold all your necessities.  Give 'em a wallet they'd be proud to show off,  whether it's a night on the town or just picking up lumber at the hardware store.


Of course you could forgo the mass made versions and give him/her a custom one of a kind made especially for them using these DIY duct tape wallet plans found at http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/07/instructions_and_pdf_docu.html

                            Stick It!  99 DIY Duct Tape Projects.  
Stick It!: 99 DIY Duct Tape Projects
If a duct tape wallet is just not enough of a statement of your affection, take their duct tape obsession to the next level with this imaginative book!  Besides simple wallets, your DIYer can sport duct tape jewelry, fashion wear, nifty paper goods and more with this invaluable guide to the world of silver adhesive. The book comes complete with folders and step-by-step directions so you can become a duct tape master. And for a touch of even more - dare I say – class, include a couple rolls of these tricked-out designer variants of our old gray friend.
  

Designer Duct TapeDuck Brand Digital Camouflage All Purpose Duck Tape, 1.88 Inches x 10 Yard Single Roll (1388825)BAZIC Duct Tape, 1.89 Inch x 10 Yard, Assorted


Snap-On 870114 16-Inch Folding Tool Organizer SeatThe best seat in the house could also be the best place to store your tools. This multi-function handyman's seat from snap-on is  not only a stylish place to store their prized tools but a great place to part their keister for a well deserved  break. Combining the features of a tool bag and a folding chair, this handy seat made of lightweight steel and water-resistant nylon includes a handy carrying strap and even has a place to store business cards.  How's that for thinking of everything?


I'm Nuts About You Key RingIf your man is the kind who'll fix anything in your car or your house when you ask him to, it's obvious he's crazy about you: Now you can let him know the feeling is mutual. This silver and gold plated hardware has a brass key ring and arrives in an "I'm nuts about you" gift box.

 


TOILET TIE

Indulge his penchant for potty humor by dressing him in this amusing toilet tie. A navy background is discreetly covered in a repeating pattern of tiny golden "thrones," making this a witty gift for those guys who think
they are the kings of their castles. With its combination of traditional colors and unexpected iconography, this is the perfect accessory for plumbers everywhere. 




Have you ever seen a horse crumple with a stone in its hoof? Ever thought to yourself: ‘Man, what I’d give to have a fish scaler right now’? Thought not. So why bother with a clunky multi-tool that’s crammed with superfluous gadgets? Get yourself outfitted for the 21st century with a pocket tool full of exactly the tools you use every day. 
Kelvin.23 is the boiling point of multi-tools. You’ll love having everything you need to hand in one rugged cast aluminium body: the Kelvin.23 packs in 16 different screwdrivers, a tape measure, hammer, level and even anLED for when you’re working in a tight hole.  


This palm-sized baby contains everything you need to take on DIY and minor jobs, like hanging pictures, building shelves, assembling flat-pack furniture or rebuilding civilization after a devastating global war - assuming, of course, that the conflict left enough shelving and pictures behind.  
GRIP 9 PC CHILDREN'S TOOL SET
Grip 9 pc Children's Tool KitThere'll be no crazy Christmas sugar plum dreams from your littlest handyman this year... Cuz Santa's bringing drop forged hammers and needle nose pliers!  Folks, this cool tool set, made especially for little hands, ain't no cheap plastic dollar store imitation, this is the real thing.  Screw drivers, wrenches, scissors (which you may want to hold on to), even a working tape measure!  Now that's a tool set any little helper would be proud to put their name on.  

In the end, remember:  If it's the thought that really counts - make sure when they think of the gifts you give them this year, they think "That was AWESOME!"


Merry Christmas and happy DIYing!