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.    SOCIAL QUESTIONS: 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.      FIND PHILIP: Website | www.sleepchoices.com The Gram | @sleepchoices   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

Get Better Sleep | HTH 024

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. Having a happy customer is really rewarding.     FIND PATRICK: Website | patrickcaindesigns.com The Gram | @patrickcaindesigns Facebook | facebook.com/PatrickCainDesigns Pinterest | pinterest.com/PCD_Furniture   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

Furniture Design | HTH 025

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.    SOCIAL QUESTIONS: 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.  FIND PHILIP: Website | www.sleepchoices.com The Gram | @sleepchoices   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

  This week Aaron and Tracy chat with Brad Rodriguez of Fix This, Build That about ways to establish your DIY confidence and potentially transition it into a business.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040   NOTABLE MOMENTS : - Brad was in corporate America for 17 years before he went this route. - He sets defined goals and thinks ahead for what he wants to accomplish daily in the shop to make his time more efficient. - His philosophy for Fix This, Build That is: Educate, Inspire, Entertain. - In terms of getting your feet wet with DIY, Brad suggests: “Start with something you’re going to have success with”. - A skill Brad wants to add to his arsenal is metal working. - His favorite wood to work with is walnut. - This is Brad’s favorite project to date (a side-board cabinet):  https://fixthisbuildthat.com/diy-sideboard-cabinet-woodworking-plans-2/ - Tool Must-Haves for the beginner: 3 piece cordless 18 volt set (drill, driver, circular saw), orbital sander, tape measure, pencil, carpenter square. - Brad recommends letting other people know you’re into woodworking, because people will cycle through tools and pass them on or give you a heads up about estate sales etc. - Some of Brad’s favorite resources are Pinterest and Google image searches. He’s also inspired by hotels.   SOCIAL QUESTIONS: Q: As a maker is it hard to stay on top of personal work for your home and family? A:  It absolutely is. Brad also talked about the guilt of balancing projects between children.   Q: What is your “woulda shoulda been” career? A: Brad’s always thought he would be a good litigators.   Q: Now that you do your hobby as a business, what do you do for fun? A: Brad enjoys the business side of the making (the analytics etc.), but is working hard to step away from the business and focus on hobbies again. Right now the down time is dedicated to the kids and occasional Netflix.   FIND BRAD: Website | https://www.fixthisbuildthat.com The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/fixthisbuildthat Podcast | https://madeforprofit.com/episodes YouTube | http://youtube.com/c/fixthisbuildthat   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH   SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

Build your DIY Confidence | HTH 023

This week Aaron and Tracy chat with artist Peter Staley about blending creativity and construction.   LET’S CHAT! You can always call and leave your questions and comments on our voicemail! 978-709-1040   QUICK FACTS ABOUT PETER’S WORK: - Peter refers to his structures as shrines to nature. - His first woodworking was building stretchers for paintings and then he moved on to set design. - Once he built his own store (his wife’s kids shop), a lot of people had him start building their stores. He likes to bring nature inside. - Recently he’s been building a lot of cabins, which was a natural progression after building a work cabin for his wife’s second store. His latest cabin is a liveable space, 200 sq ft with a sleeping loft and outdoor shower. - His nature inspiration stems from his time in the Adirondacks as a child. https://visitadirondacks.com - Peter can look at a space and visualize what he wants to do with it. - Peter sees his builds as art and it’s a very spiritual process. - His favorite materials are: cedar and shou sugi ban. - He loves buying from Angel City Lumber- https://www.angelcitylumber.com - Peter feels this medium is the one that connects with people the most, whereas his art doesn’t necessarily connect with everyone. - Peter’s tip for creating a more functional small space is: laying stuff out with blue tape and seeing how it would feel to move around in the space. - “I would like someone to enter a space I made and have a spiritual experience.” - Peter’s suggestion for the beginner: “Get some tools and start playing around. Make a box!” - Peter believes everything needs to go as green as possible. He’d like to see a return to natural and comfortable materials.   SOCIAL QUESTIONS: Q: Do you feel you have a signature style? A: Not on purpose, but yes. Peter doesn’t try to make things in his style, it’s just his natural progression.   Q:  How long is the planning process? A: A couple of weeks.   Q: Where does your inspiration come from with your art? A: It just comes to Peter and he needs to get it out.   Q: Is it hard to see a structure decorated in a way that doesn’t fit your intention for the space? A: At first it is, but then you get used to it.   FIND PETER: Website (Build) | https://www.mindtreearts.com Website (Art) | http://www.peterstaley.com The Gram | https://www.instagram.com/mindtreearts & https://www.instagram.com/p_staley   FOLLOW US on Social Media: Website | https://howtohome.com/ Instagram | http://bit.ly/2WqVfSp Twitter | http://bit.ly/2RRyYij Facebook | http://bit.ly/2MC3Hdc Youtube | http://bit.ly/2SifqTH SUBSCRIBE to the How to Home Podcast: Itunes | https://apple.co/2DL0lSp Android | http://bit.ly/2B9k7Fm Stitcher | http://bit.ly/2DM0W6c Spotify | https://spoti.fi/2GcRCKo   THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR FILTERBUY.COM

Get Better Sleep | HTH 024

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