The Dean of Home Renovation & Repair Advice

Author Archives: Roseann Foley Henry

About Roseann Foley Henry

Roseann Foley Henry is a writer, editor, and home improvement buff. She and her partner and their two children live in Bayside, where they are ever-so-slowly renovating a classic 1920 Dutch Colonial. Among her writing credits are The Life of a House, the story of a tiny gatekeeper’s lodge that was once home to her great-grandparents in County Clare, Ireland.

Bob Vila Radio: Spring Lawn Preparation

There’s nothing like a beautiful green lawn to make your house look great. Now that spring is here, it’s time to get your lawn ready for its big debut.

spring-lawn-preparation

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Bob Vila Radio: Ceiling Medallions

Ceiling medallions are moldings that are installed in the center of a ceiling, typically around a light fixture or ceiling fan.

Ceiling-medallions

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Bob Vila Radio: Tool Tip – Sandpaper

Despite its name, sandpaper isn’t made of sand, and often doesn’t even involve paper.

sandpaper

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Bob Vila Radio: Tin Ceilings

Tin ceilings were very popular in the mid-1800s and early 1900s. These mass-produced ceilings, stamped with decorative patterns, were lightweight, hardy, and fire-resistant. They offered an inexpensive alterative to the elaborate plasterwork and woodwork popular during the victorian era.

tin-ceilings

Photo: americantinceilings.com

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Bob Vila Radio: Hiding Trash Cans

Nothing kills a home’s curb appeal faster than a couple of trash cans and recycling bins parked in the driveway, or littering the front yard. Keeping them out of sight can stop your home from looking… well, trashy.

trash-cans

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Bob Vila Radio: Power Drill

A power drill does more than just drill holes. With different attachments, it also drives screws, turns a sander, or even mixes paint. Here are a few tips to help you choose a model with convenient new features.

power-drill

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Bob Vila Radio: Fire Drill

You’ve got the smoke alarms and the carbon-dioxide detectors, and you change their batteries regularly. But does your family know what to do when an alarm sounds? If not, it’s time for a family fire drill.

Fire Drill

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Bob Vila Radio: Interior Lockset

Replacing an interior lockset is a pretty simple job. If you’re thinking about upgrading your doors with new doorknobs or levers, here’s what you need to know.

interior-lockset

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Bob Vila Radio: Cordless Blinds

The Consumer Product Safety commission now recommends that only cordless window coverings be used in homes with small children.

cordless-blinds

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Bob Vila Radio: Tape Measure

I can barely think of a home improvement job that doesn’t require a tape measure! Whether you’re framing a new room or just hanging a few pictures, a tape measure is a must.

tape-measure

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