Home In Progress

On Today's EpisodeSpring Cleaning Around the World [00:00 - 11:49]

Spring cleaning reaches back to Biblical times and beyond... We explore how the world approaches everyone's favorite Spring pasttime.

20 Minutes to Clean [11:50 - 18:59]

We love the idea of a clean house, but getting started can be tough. We've got a trick that will get you moving. Best of all? It's painless.

Can I Paint THAT??? [19:00 - 32:59]

We see it all the time on TV and the web: people painting EVERYTHING. Tile floors, backsplashes, countertops, and even dishwashers. We see that and wonder: can I do that?? The bigger question is: should you?

Check in with Hailey [33:00 - 39:10]

Hailey's WAY pregnant and we get an update on how things are going...

On Today's EpisodeApril Fool's Day History [00:00 - 08:01]

It's April Fool's Day and that means people all over the place are going to be pranking friends or getting pranked. But where does the day come from in the first place? The history is a little surprising!

Best Hoaxes Through the Years [08:02 - 18:59]

In digging into the history of April Fool's Day, we ran into a number of amazing hoaxes sprung on the unsuspecting masses throughout the years. Here are some of our favorites....

• 100 Best April Fool's Day Hoaxes of All Time

Is Raspberry Blush Still Terrible? [19:00 - 32:02]

That's a bit harsh! We don't think Benjamin Moore's Raspberry Blush is a terrible color . . . but we DO know that the color of the year for 2023 is pushing the boundary. Today we talk about how the bold colors of 2023 can be used in our homes.

If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Doing Poorly [32:03 - 39:00]

We're used to hearing the phrase: "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well." But today, we're putting a spin on it.

On Today's EpisodeThe Review Review [00:00 - 11:36]

We revisit a few of our previous reviews and recommendations to see if they stood the test of time.

Lomi Countertop Composter

You can check out our original segment on Lomi down below. But the long and short of it is . . . after nearly a year of ownership, the luster has worn off a bit! The Lomi unit is great and does exactly what it's supposed to do . . . it's just that Hailey doesn't find herself using it for a variety of reasons.

• LOMI Countertop Composter Original Review

GOVEE Humidifier and Hygrometer

Another product we initially loved was the GOVEE Humidifier and Bluetooth Hygrometer. In this case, after a winter of use, Dan still LOVES it. There are a lot of different sizes available, but for the small room Dan needed to humidify, this has worked flawlessly. The Hygrometer works with the Humidifier to keep the room at a constant relative humidity of about 48-50%. And when the water is low . . . the GOVEE unit sends an alert through a phone app. Check out the original review below as well as the items themselves!

• Govee Smart WiFi Humidifier
• Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer
• Govee Original Review

Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray

A final product we looked at, back in February, is this dish spray you've probably seen commercials for. Hailey loved it back in February and since then, Dan's given it a try. After nearly a couple months of use, Dan agrees: this stuff is good . . . but he, of course, has found a cheaper solution that works for him . . . .

• Original Dawn Review

Hand Cleaner VS. Silly Putty [11:37 - 18:59]

Hailey's friend, Amber visited and accidentally left a little silly putty embedded in the new rug in the nursery. Fortunately a great little hand cleaner was able to remove it in seconds.

And while we know silly putty in carpets isn't terribly common . . . this hand cleaner is great for cleaning up after paint and stain projects (latex AND oil), automotive work, small engine repair . . . you name it! It's a great product and is worth a look. Check out the link below:

• Kresto Hand Cleaner

The Pros and Cons of Induction Stoves [18:59 - 32:07]

Induction cooking is not new, but a lot of us are unfamiliar with the technology. Or, if we know about it, we may only know one side of the story!

Before you run out to snatch up an induction stove AND before you discount them as something you'd never want, check out the pros and cons. No matter which side of the fence you're on, we think you'll be (at least a little) surprised.

Superhero Spotlight: STIX Primer [32:07 - 39:19]

STIX primer from Insl-X (a Benjamin Moore company), is a bonding primer that solves paint problems all day long!

On Today's EpisodeCooking with Cast Iron [00:00 - 13:29]

Cast Iron is old school, heavy, and a traditional weapon against burglars . . . but is it still serious cookware? Absolutely . . . it's the Serious-est.

• Pros and Cons of Cast Iron Cookware

Color Sample Sale [13:30 - 19:00]

Benjamin Moore Color Samples are the ideal way to make sure you've chosen the right color. The rest of this month, they're 50% off!

How to Find the Right Contractor Everytime! [19:01 - 32:18]

Hiring the right contractor is all about starting at the right time and looking for some signs as you get your quotes. We'll tell you everything you need to know!

Paint Finishes--What Goes Where? [19:02 - 39:28]

Paint finishes can be confusing. We'll break it down and . . . believe it or not . . . make it entertaining!

On Today's Episode

It's our 300th Episode and we're kicking back and celebrating!

300 Episodes [00:00 - 07:25]

We make a correction to our Chicken Conversation from last week and talk about the fun we've had making 300 episodes!

Extension Cords [07:26 - 18:59]

Getting the right extension cord is a big deal! In this segment, we talk about everything you need to know to make the right choice.

Powering 15 amp tools for 25 feet? Go with a 14 gauge cord

Powering 15 amp tools for 50 feet? Go with a 12 gauge cord

Powering 15 amp tools for 100 feet? Go with a 10 gauge cord

Some Resources:

• Determining the Right Extension Cord
• Choosing the Correct Extension Cord
• Selecting the Right Extension Cord for Your Power Tools
• Extension Cord Chart
• What Size Extension Cord Do I Need?
• Extension Cord Buyer Guide

RepcoLite Rewind: Painting Your Cabinets [19:00 - 29:45]

This segment for our Detroit listeners comes from Episode 220.

Faking It With Paint [29:46 - 42:39]

Paint can cover your walls with color . . . but you can do a lot of other creative things using just a small amount of paint! We talk about using paint to create wainscoting, "big" trim, "wallpapered" walls and more.

Laser Levels and Why You Need One! [42:39 - 50:12]

In the projects we talked about in the last segment, a tool that will simplify your work dramatically is a laser level. We talk about a number of different projects where a laser level is a must have!

On Today's EpisodeInflation Chickens [00:00 - 11:03]

With rising egg prices, there may be just ONE reasonable way to proceed: raising our own chickens. Inflation Chickens are a real thing and we're wondering whether or not it makes sense!

Nurseries (Again) [11:04 - 26:52]

We talked about some nursery struggles last week. This week, we want to talk about the best paint choices if you're painting while pregnant. And, we want to spend some time talking about how to pull a nursery together so you don't have to re-do the entire thing in just a couple years when your new baby is a toddler.

RepcoLite Rewind for Detroit: Perfect Project Planning [26:53 - 38:54]

We go back to an old segment from April of 2022 and discuss some key steps to take if you want to start crossing projects off your to-do list!

Sad, Neglected Spaces [48:54 - 59:24]

Every home has spaces that are not as nice as others. There are different reasons for this, but the bottom line is that neglected spaces drag us down. They hover over our heads and are constant reminders that there's more work to be done! Let's figure out where our neglected spaces are, why we've neglected them . . . and let's get them taken care of!

On Today's Episode

It's a banner day on the show as we get to break some breaking news....

Dormant Seeding [00:00 - 06:50]

Hailey missed the opportunity in the fall to overseed her lawn. Disappointed, she turned to the internet and discovered the concept of Dormant Seeding. If your lawn has some bare spots and you'd like to get a leg up on spring, maybe a little dormant seeding is just what's needed.

SOME RESOURCES:

• How to Sow Grass Seed in Winter
• Winter Dormant Seeding
• Dormant Seeding

Benjamin Moore Budget-Friendly Paint [06:51 - 18:59]

Sometimes, we can convince ourselves that Benjamin Moore is the paint that you buy if you've got money to burn. Turns out, Benjamin Moore offers some great budget-friendly options. In this segment, we shine a light on just a couple of them....

REPCOLITE REWIND: Picture Rails [19:00 - 31:48]

This blast from the past for our Detroit listeners is from March 19, 2022.

The BIG Announcement [31:49 - 52:31]

We have a special guest who joins us to break some pretty big news....

Decorating a Nursery [52:32 - 1:01:55]

Decorating a nursery seems fun and exciting . . . but then, there are so many considerations to make. Before long the process becomes a chore rather than the exciting project it should be!

On Today's EpisodeUnderstanding Paint Cure [00:00 - 08:20]

Yes, we are literally doing a segment on watching paint dry. But it's important info! Paint can dry to the touch in hours or less . . . but it doesn't reach it's full durability for much longer. We've got the info that will help you make sure you're next paint project turns out beautifully.

High Efficiency Wood Burners: Tax Credit [08:21 - 18:59]

Kurt Zink, Fire Scientist from Vanderwall Brothers stops by to talk about high efficiency wood burners and a 2023 Tax Credit.

• Biomass 2023 Tax Credit info

RepcoLite Rewind: Caroline's Story [19:00 - 31:18]

This time, we head back to January 2021 to talk about a friend of ours who lived through a HUGE color-selecting fiasco. Happily, there are some takeaways that can help all of us choose the right color every time.

High Efficiency Wood Burners: Practical Info [31:19 - 42:00]

Kurt Zink is back for part 2 of our interview on wood burners and this time we dig into the practical side of things. How do wood burners compare with gas? How do we know which unit is right for us? And so on!

• Reach out to Kurt at Vanderwall Brothers and Heritage Fireplace
• For Detroit Listeners, check out Creekside Hearth and Patio in Almont

Killing the Winter Blues (Real Good) [42:01 - 58:35]

We recorded this segment on a sunny February morning. Three hours later, we had a wonderful rain/snow mix falling down with 2 inches or more already on the ground. Perfect case in point: winter isn't done, yet! If the winter blues are dragging you down . . . we might have the fix!

On Today's Episode

Today's show is really all about sneaking pops of color into unexpected places! It can have a huge impact on your interior design . . . but where do you draw the line? How much is too much? And which spots are the right ones?

The Bold New Colors of Kohler [00:00 - 19:00]

Kohler has just announced two new colors that we'll be seeing in kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, and even toilets! These are historical colors and one of them, Spring Green, first debuted nearly 100 years ago in 1927. What's old is new again!

We discuss the new colors, the history behind them, and the modernism that spawned them in the first place.

Also, here are some links to some great pieces from Kohler's Marketing Past:

• Retro Renovation: The First Colors for Bathroom Fixtures

REPCOLITE REWIND--Painting Ceilings, Step-By-Step [19:01 - 30:45]

Our show is now playing in the Detroit market as well as in Grand Rapids. However, the Detroit station has a slightly different format, so to fill the extra time, we're playing some great segments from past episodes that the Detroit audience has never heard. Here's a step-by-step guide to painting ceilings that first aired in February of 2022.

Wallpapering the Closet? [30:45 - 51:12]

I've wallpapered walls and rooms and even bookcases and the bottoms of drawers . . . but I've never wallpapered a closet. Sara Pen has, though--and she LOVED the results. Sara's a busy mom who's spent the last few years raising her kids, renovating her home, and recording it all on social media. She's got a lot of great, creative ideas and has tackled some fun projects. We sit down with her to discuss one of her latest . . . .

• Find Sara on Instagram!

On Today's Episode

On this episode, we focus on a design trend that's been "a thing" for a while: using plywood as a finish material in interior design. We discuss the idea and toss around a few things to consider if you're thinking about jumping in!

Dawn Powerwash Review [00:00 - 13:46]

Maybe you've seen the commercials . . . maybe you've been skeptical. Put that all aside. Hailey's been using this new dish washing miracle and LOVES it!

Aura Bath and Spa: Not Just for Bathrooms? [13:47 - 24:55]

We draw from a lengthy conversation we had with our Detroit Benjamin Moore rep, Jon Potoski regarding Aura Bath and Spa. Jon isn't in the segment (though he was in the studio and on the show last week!), but in our conversations, he pointed out how a growing number of contractors in his area are using Bath and Spa outside of the bathroom because they're looking for a "flatter" matte than Aura Matte. Bath and Spa fills that need.

Jon explained that the contractors who've begun using it on walls throughout the home are finding it a nice switch from other interior flats offered by other paint companies. Aura Bath and Spa provides a similar finish to a flat enamel, offering some washability with lower sheen than a standard matte. We encourage any contractors who are using a flat paint from a competitor but who'd like to step up the coverage and hide as well as the washability of the product they're using, to give Aura Bath and Spa a try.

We highlight those points, explain how flatter finishes hide imperfections and texture better, and then, of course, camp on Bath and Spa as the ideal bathroom paint.

Plywood and Interior Design: A Bridge Too Far? [24:55 - 45:22]

The last two segments are a discussion about a friend of Hailey's who's using clear-coated plywood as full wall accents in her new home. She had even considered using it as the finish wood for her kitchen cabinets, but eventually decided against it.

As strange as it may seem, clear-coated plywood has been a trend in interior design for a while. It leans into a Scandinavian style of design and while it's more popular on the different coasts, it's still something we see from time to time in the Midwest.

We feel it's largely a reaction to the relative cold and dreary nature of gray--a color that's dominated interiors for a while now. People are shifting towards warm natural tones and plywood brings that . . . along with texture which adds to its appeal.

However, there's a concern when jumping on trends. We spend a fair amount of time urging listeners to make their design choices based on solid likes and dislikes rather than by following the newest thing.

We talk about paint and wallpaper as obvious alternatives to going with full plywood. After all, the plywood is trending because of the warmth and color it brings to the space. Paint and wallpaper can do all of that with much less commitment!  We also talk about the concerns revolving around trying to change a plywood interior when/if we ever get tired of the look.

The big takeaway at the end is something we highlight all the time: trends are great as starting points and for idea-gathering. But in the end, you need to love your home. Choose what you like regardless of what the trends are telling you....