Home In Progress

SEGMENT 1: Harald Bluetooth, Part 1

Most of us don't think twice about the technology behind some of the items we use everyday. And if we do, chances are we certainly don't think about how that technology got its name or its logo. Well, today, we look at the surprisingly old (and fun) origins of the Bluetooth name and logo. This segment is part 1.

SEGMENTS 2 & 3: Harald Bluetooth, Part 1

We sit down with Andy Yates from Andy Yates Design to discuss the design trends of 2022 and what that means for all of us. If you're interested in contacting Andy, his info is below!

• Learn more about Andy Yates Design

SEGMENT4: Harald Bluetooth, Part 2

We finish up the Bluetooth story and talk about how you can win a JBL Flip 5 Speaker just by asking a question!

See, we're looking for questions from our listeners that we can answer on the show. If you'd like to leave a question, there are a number of options!

• Ask a question on the RepcoLite Website
• Ask a question in the comments on our contest post on Facebook

OR use the coolest method and actually RECORD your question using our Telbee web app! It's easy and a lot of fun . . . AND you could end up on the show!

• Record my question with the web app!

SEGMENT 1: The Power of Pickles

Pickles and pickle juice may have some remarkable health benefits! Here are just a few!

SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Skip's Painting--An Origin Story

We sit down with Dan Schipper from Skip's Painting to talk about Aura Bath and Spa and Scuff-X from Benjamin Moore. However, along the way we end up the importance of finding satisfaction in the work we do....

SEGMENT 4: Our NEW Favorite Paint!

We knew RepcoLite's new OPTIMA was a tremendous wall paint, but we had no idea how remarkable it really is! Hailey put it to the test on a tough project in her dining room and was stunned at the workability, hide, and coverage it offered as she went from white walls, to a deep blue.

• Check out Optima here!

SEGMENT 1: Painting the Ceiling Like the Pros

Kevin Hermann from Benjamin Moore sits down with us to talk about how the pros paint ceilings!

1. Use a ceiling paint -- not just a flat wall paint!
2. Brush Cut the ENTIRE ceiling in first
3. Keep a wet edge when rolling and work across the ceiling in 4' x 4' squares
4. When you apply your second coat, roll the paint in the other direction (if you go East-West for the first coat, go North-South for the second)
5. Don't overapply your paint
6. Turn the heat down a little before you start!

Some products to consider:

• RepcoLite's Elements Ceiling Paint
• Benjamin Moore's Super Hide Zero
• Benjamin Moore's Premium Ceiling Paint (great when you are painting with a color on your ceiling).

SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Garage Heaters

Hailey has big plans to turn her garage into an art studio. Thing is . . . we live in Michigan. And that means she has to find a way to heat it in the winter and cool it in the summer. Here are some of the heaters/air conditioners she's found that might work...

SEGMENT 4: Zombie-Defying Paint Kits

Well. The whole zombie thing was just big talk. To be honest, there's not much these kits will do in that event. However, if you do a fair amount of painting at home, having a stocked set of supplies ready to go can really save your project. We explain how....

SEGMENT 1: Ironing Wood

Sure, it's an old trick . . . but we've never tried it before. This week we try to remove dents and dings from unfinished wood with water and an iron. And the results were amazing!

SEGMENT 2: Home Gym Colors

Last week we talked about creating a home gym. This week, we dig into some colors you may want to consider.

SEGMENT 3: Caulk 101

In the paint world, caulk is probably one of the least flashy topics! And yet, when it's done right, your project will look amazing. When it's done poorly (or not done at all) . . . well, the results suffer.

SEGMENT 4: Dual Flush Toilets

We received a question about Dual Flush Toilets and conversion kits. Are they worth it? Well, to get the answer, we contacted the experts at Service Professor and Mark DeVisser from Great Lakes Plumbing.

SEGMENT 1: A Skunky Valentine

What do you do when your dog is sprayed by a skunk? Break out the tomato juice? Toss her in the bathtub? Actually, the right answer involves baking soda, peroxide, and a little dishsoap--just don't leave it on the fur too long, since peroxide could bleach it! Here's the article we reference along with a tried and true recipe for de-skunkification.

In this same skunk segment, we "about-face" and transition to some Valentine's Day Trivia. Do you know why women of the middle ages ate hedgehogs? Check out the segment to find out!

SEGMENTS 2 and 3: No More Scary Basements

Basements often feel uninviting. (And that's putting it mildly). However with a little bit of work and some paint, you can take that old, block wall "dungeon", and brighten it up significantly. We talk about everything you'll need to know to get the project underway.

SEGMENT 4: Home Gym Flooring Options

In this segment, we sit down with Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One to discuss a wide variety of floors for your home gym--everything from heavy-duty rubber for weight lifting, to easy clean floors for yoga. You can learn more about Johnson Carpet One right here!

SEGMENTS 1 and 2: The Art of Purging (the Home)

Getting our homes decluttered and organized isn't always easy. It takes work--physical and emotional! On the show today we talk about some of the reasons we all hang onto far too much stuff . . . and better, we discuss some positive steps to help you start the purge!

SEGMENTS 3 and 4: Primers 101 with Dean Veltman

We've all heard about Paint and Primer all-in-one products. Today, we sit down with professional contractor, Dean Veltman from Veltman Painting, to discuss his thoughts on those products. From there, we walk through some of his favorite primers for tough situations.

SEGMENT 1: Tool Snobbery

Hailey is a very particular person...some people might even say snob. While that may be true, one thing she is NOT a not a snob about is tools.  

• Good tools can definitely make jobs easier, safer and faster. They are absolutely necessary for professionals or serious hobbyists. 
• If you are like most DIY'ers, however, there are tools that can make a project easier but are not going to be used on a regular basis.  
• In this case we do advocate for finding entry level tools. You do not have to buy a $400 chop saw to use it 10 days out of the year. 
• Don't let tool snobbery keep you from tackling a project, just find something safe and affordable.

SEGMENTS 2 and 3: The Five Laws of Interior Design

We have come up with our own Laws of Interior Design...while we did technically make these up... they are actually really solid and will hopefully help people who struggle to get their home looking just right. 

• THE FIRST LAW: IT’S OK TO TRY TO BREAK OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE ONLY TO END UP BACK IN IT. It's good to push ourselves once in a while but sometimes we try something new only to find out it's not for us. 
• THE SECOND LAW: LET THE SPACE TELL YOU WHAT IT NEEDS! Listen to the architecture of the home so your design works it with instead of against it. 
• THE THIRD LAW: IT’S OK TO GO SLOWLY! You don't have to figure out the entire design at once. Sometimes doing one color at a time is less overwhelming and can help give you real direction instead of forcing it. 
• THE FOURTH LAW: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF SAMPLING COLOR IN YOUR SPACE! Far too often people pick paint colors without sampling them. Scale, lighting and texture can change a color's appearance dramatically. It's worth the extra time to get it right and feel happy about your results. 
• THE FIFTH LAW: IF YOU’VE GOT A PAINT PROJECT ON THE HORIZON, START WORKING ON COLOR CHOICES NOW! If you are going to put these laws into practice, waiting until the last minute is not an option. Give yourself time!

Also, we mentioned that a number of RepcoLite locations have In Store Color Consultants who will do an in-home consultation should you desire that!

Here are some details:

• In store Consultations: Always Free!
• 1 Hour In Home Consultation: $85
• In-Home Consultants are at the following locations:
• 17th Street (Holland)
• Fulton Street (Grand Rapids)
• Plainfield Ave (Grand Rapids)
• Chicago Drive (Jenison)

Stop by or call any of those locations for more info!

SEGMENT 4: Our Apologies to Plastic Drop Cloths

Last week we talked about canvas drop cloths and ended up disparaging plastic drop cloths. In fact, we were drop cloth snobs. And so we wanted to give them their time in the limelight as well. There definitely are places they can be handy!

SEGMENTS 1 and 2: Organizational Skills for the New Year

Many of us aren't as organized as we'd like to be. It's a goal, sure, but getting there isn't always easy. In these two segments, we talk about a number of skills to develop that will help you on the journey. (And yes, it's a journey... Understanding that is part of the recipe for success!) Here are some of our recommendations:

• Have a place for everything and put everything in its place
• Put items away now, rather than later
• Tools
• Dishes
• Dirty clothes
• Develop a productive routine
• Open and deal with mail on a daily basis
• Have a set day for watering plants
• Wash dishes after every dinner
• Label everything!
• If you go down the road of storing items in totes . . . label them!
• And maintain those labels -- when items change, relabel
• Stay positive and remember it's a PROCESS

SEGMENT 3: Steps to Creating a Home YOU Love with Lauren Figueroa

Connect with Lauren here!

SEGMENT 4: Drop Cloths

You may think drop cloths are boring, but you'd be SO wrong! Sure they are absolutely critical to have on hand when you tackle paint projects around the home, but there's so much more you can do! Just google "drop cloth projects" and sit back!

We talk about a few of the fun things people are doing with drop cloths and highlight a sale that we've got running right now.

SEGMENT 1: Chamberlain Garage Door System

Thinking about a smart garage door system? Here's an inexpensive way to give it a try!

SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Veltman Painting on Kitchen Cabinets

In these segments, Dean Veltman, owner of Veltman Painting, discusses products, tips and tricks, and everything else you need to know if you're going to hire a contractor to paint your cabinets.

Veltman Painting's website and contact info is here!

SEGMENT 4: The Old Farmer's Almanac

We talk about the smart phone of 1792 and why you still need one today!

Because it's New Year's Day, we decided to run one of our favorite episodes from the past. Here's our episode on Failure!

SEGMENT 1: Backing out of Color Mistakes

SEGMENTS 2 and 3: The Invention of the Telegraph

SEGMENT 4: Unique Accent Walls