Repcolite Home Improvement Show

SEGMENT 1: The Butter Zone Two things are accomplished--sort of--in this segment! First, if you had grubs on your yard last fall, NOW's the time to treat for them. Secondly . . . Dan has a new refrigerator and it doesn't seem to be functioning correctly. So . . . he's placed a thermometer inside. This is both a great idea and a terrible idea. We'll tell you why! SEGMENT 2: Peel-N-Stick Wallpaper Recant Several weeks ago, we recommended that you DO NOT use Peel-n-Stick wallpaper on a full room installation. We based that conclusion on a personal experience. However, a few weeks later, we had another personal experience and now, we've changed our minds dramatically. REPCOLITE LOCATIONS THAT CARRY WALLPAPER BOOKS 17th Street RepcoLite in Holland Lakewood Blvd. RepcoLite in Holland Byron Center RepcoLite Plainfield Ave RepcoLite in Grand Rapids Fulton Street RepcoLite in Grand Rapids Kalamazoo RepcoLite https://www.repcolite.com/repcolite-hours-and-locations/ (Find ALL of our locations here!) SEGMENT 3: EGO Yar

Today's show is basically the presentation we gave on June 1 and 2 at the Sunnybrook Country Club in Grandville. It's a yearly event that RepcoLite hosts and Hailey and I called this one: Down the Rabbit Hole SEGMENT 1: Meet Our Guides In this first segment, we introduce you to the topic and also to our guides: Elizabeth Gilbert Frank Gehry David Lynch SEGMENT 2: Recognizing Fear One of the key requirements to living creatively is learning to recognize fear. SEGMENT 3: Being Curious Another key trait of creative people is that they are constantly curious! Get out there, ask questions, stop "knowing" so much and be a detective! SEGMENT 4: Taking Time to Daydream A third train of creative people is that they take time to daydream . . . to let their mind rest . . . or to "play and experiment with reality."

SEGMENT 1: The Field Guide It's a simple thing . . . but it can bring about a lot of fun for the whole family. Pick up a field guide--for birds, wildflowers, trees, whatever--and turn your outdoor time into a great family scavenger hunt of sorts! SEGMENT 2: Aura Reformulated Benjamin Moore's Aura is the best paint they've ever made. AND, it just got better! We sit down with Benjamin Moore's Kevin Hermann to talk about what improvements have been made and what you can expect from this premium product moving forward. SEGMENTS 3 and 4: A Trip Down the Rabbit Hole RepcoLite and Benjamin Moore are hosting "Down the Rabbit Hole" coming up on June 1. It's a deep dive into some creative pioneers and we'll talk about what it is they do that helps them continually find new ideas. In these segments, we talk specifically about what Hailey and Dan each have personally learned in the process of preparing the event. You can learn more about Down the Rabbit Hole here!

SEGMENT 1: TICKS It's already tick season! They're gross and their annoying and dangerous . . . but you can avoid them. As long as you've got the right info! SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Common Paint Questions At RepcoLite.com we have a chat function--like most websites. However, ours is manned entirely by one guy who's always ready with an answer! Peter Ogle runs the chat from 8 AM to 9 PM every weekday and he will go to ridiculous lengths to help customers get the answers they need. Today we talk with Peter about a few of the most common questions he gets. And, he regals us with a story of his most epic chat. SEGMENT 4: Down the Rabbit Hole Coming up on June 1, RepcoLite is hosting our premier yearly event: Down the Rabbit Hole: Finding, and being found by, the next new idea. It's all about creativity and learning how to reignite and recharge your own! And, it's also about free wine and desserts! If you're in the area and would like to join us, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/color-and-design-2022-down-the-rabbit-hole-d

SEGMENT 1: Stain or Paint? We received a great question from a listener regarding some cedar columns outside his home. They're bare wood and he wants them white . . . what's the process, and what products should he be using: Solid Color Stain or Paint? SEGMENTS 2 & 3: 8 Steps to Staying on Budget for Your Next Project https://andyyatesdesign.com/ (Andy Yates from Andy Yates Design) joins us to discuss 8 ways to stay on budget. With supply shortages and rising prices, this is critical info if you're starting, or thinking about starting, a home renovation or a new build! SEGMENT 4: Hailey's New Best Friend, Lomi Hailey has replaced her inner circle of friends with a new favorite: an appliance named Lomi. Lomi is a countertop composter . . . and Hailey adores it. https://pela.earth/lomi?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A16592870122%3A134352703133%3A588327826259&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=lomi&nb_ti=kwd-1309544676&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_si={sourceid}&nb_li_ms=&n

SEGMENT 1: Lead Paint Dilemma Hailey's older home has some peeling paint and is in need of some work. However . . . the whole project took a turn when she discovered that the existing paint is lead based. We discuss what the project looks like now and all the things you need to know if you're in the same situation. SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Beekeeping 101 Recently Hailey started considering a new hobby: beekeeping! To get her feet underneath her she attended a meeting hosted by https://www.facebook.com/groups/grbeeclub/ (the Grand Rapids Bee Club) and was blown away by all the info presented. SEGMENT 4: Steel Door Facelift A listener posted a question regarding her front door--a steel door with badly peeling paint. She wanted to know what she needs to do to get it looking great again! It's a terrific project with a big payoff and we cover all the bases....

Segment 1: The Glass-Cleaning Miracle Last weekend, Dan stumbled into a streak-free solution to cleaning windows. It's ridiculously simple and chemical free. Basically, you just need water and these special, microfiber rags (link below). The best news? The system really works! https://www.amazon.com/Microfiber-Glass-Cleaning-Cloths-Chemicals/dp/B00KAJ42GO/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=W7YW9YOHA6A6&keywords=microfiber+cleaning+cloth+for+glass&qid=1650019746&sprefix=microfiber+cleaning+cloth+for+glass%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A2AV5QWMR0ML75&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFNSFhUUEY0RjVNWlkmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxMTUxNTUyUDhKQjNXV05NNTlBJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwMTI2MDIzQUQ2QkxHOTNBNzlNJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== (MicroFiber Glass Cleaning Rags) Segments 2 and 3: Bookshop Magic From time to time, we highlight what we call "Gems of West Michigan"--businesses we want more and more people to know about because we think they're amazing. Wel

SEGMENT 1: Chicken Trouble! The chickens across the street from Hailey got out the other day. At first, it was cute. But then, she found that they had The Hunger. Before she really knew what was happening, they were running around, eating road kill, and . . . Well, she'll tell the story. We also highlight the Wooster Sherlock 9" Roller Frame which is on sale through April. SEGMENT 2: Good Earth Tree Care https://www.goodearthtreecare.com/ (Brett Nelson from Good Earth Tree Care) joins us to talk about rock climbing, pruning, tree removal, and a wide variety of ways to tell if a tree or branch is unhealthy. SEGMENT 3: Luxury Vinyl Plank https://www.johnsoncarpetonegrandville.com/free-carpet-estimate?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=local (Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One in Grandville) joins us to talk about one of the most popular and versatile flooring products out there. SEGMENT 4: Reviving Old Hardwood Floors Luxury Vinyl Plank is a beautiful option for many of us, but there's stil

SEGMENT 1: How to Complete Your Spring To-Do List We all mean well! But sometimes life just gets the best of us and we don't wrap up our projects as quickly as we wish. Today we talk about a simple method that will help you get the most important jobs cross off that to-do list! SEGMENT 2: State of the Real Estate Market, Revisited Last week, https://www.sueprins.com/ (Sue Prins and Ginger Herman) were in the studio talking about what it looks like out there for people trying to buy a home. However, there was one thing Sue wished she had clarified. Well, she's back this week to dot those "i's" and cross those "t's"! SEGMENT 3: Budget-Friendy Ways to Transition Your Decor from Winter to Spring Andy Yates from https://andyyatesdesign.com/ (Andy Yates Design) joins us and dishes out a number of designer tricks to easily move our homes from the cozy feel we created for winter into a more open and airy aesthetic as we head into Spring. SEGMENT 4: Compost Tea If you're composting, here's a tea mixture that you may b

SEGMENT 1: Paint Clean Up Spring's here and, for many of us that means Spring Cleaning . . . . So, with that in mind, we talk about some proper ways to dispose of paint tools and also answer one of the the most common questions we receive: "Do you dispose of unwanted latex paint?" The answer is "Yes!" and we've got all the details on this segment. SEGMENTS 2 and 3: The State of Real Estate The Real Estate market is still crazy! Maybe even crazier than it was a year ago. To get the scoop on what it looks like out there, we sit down with https://www.sueprins.com/ (Sue Prins and Ginger Herman from Sue Prins Group Five Star Real Estate). SEGMENT 4: Paint Superheroes The supply chain is causing all kinds of shortages world wide. And, of course, this even trickles down to paint. For years now, we've spent many segments lauding all the positives of Paint Superheroes like Scuff-X and Advance from Benjamin Moore. BUT, as the ability to get those products becomes tougher, it's important to point out that there are TON

SEGMENT 1: Where's the Paint? We sit down with Kevin Hermann from Benjamin Moore to talk about the state of the paint industry. Paint companies world-wide are struggling to some extent, to get the raw ingredients necessary to make paint. What's going on? How are things looking? And when's it going to get better? SEGMENT 2: Carpet Trends 2022 In this segment, Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One in Grandville joins us to talk about what 2022 will bring in terms of carpet styles. SEGMENT 3: Picture Rails Dan hung some art in his living room and couldn't, for the life of him, get the pieces in the right spot. So he kept adjusting and moving them and pounding new holes in the wall. In the end, his plaster walls looked like they were they scene for a mob hit. That led him into a long internet search and he ran into an old design concept that might be worth a new look: Picture Rails. SEGMENT 4: Avoiding Finish Regret There are a LOT of paint finishes out there. And finding the right one for your project isn't alwa

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! https://andyyatesdesign.com/ (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 https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Waterproof-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B07QK2SPP7/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2DL631BC61XOU&keywords=jbl+flip+5&qid=1647004574&sprefix=jbl+flip%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySFBKS05PMEsxRzJSJmVuY3J5

SEGMENT 1: The Power of Pickles Pickles and pickle juice may have some remarkable health benefits! https://health.clevelandclinic.org/6-health-benefits-of-drinking-pickle-juice/ (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. https://www.repcolite.com/product/optima-premium-ceramic/ (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! Use a ceiling paint -- not just a flat wall paint! Brush Cut the ENTIRE ceiling in first Keep a wet edge when rolling and work across the ceiling in 4' x 4' squares 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) Don't overapply your paint 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:

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 https://www.serviceprofessor.com/ (the experts at Service Professor) and https://www.theplumberishere.com/ (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! https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/de-skunking-your-dog (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

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 C

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 https://www.lfdesigns.co/ (Connect with Lauren here!) SEGMENT 4: Drop Cloths You may think drop cloths are boring, but you'd b

SEGMENT 1: Chamberlain Garage Door System https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Garage-Opener-Chamberlain-myQ-G0401/dp/B08GD3D9YJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2DMGORG4YBHKE&keywords=chamberlain+garage+door+opener&qid=1641650430&sprefix=chamberlain%2Caps%2C942&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExT0s4TFRPSUFMVEtSJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDQ5NTI5MjVXUUxNNjNSNjBZRiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODE2NDU4MUtBV1owR1VFRVVYTiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= (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. https://www.veltmanpainting.com (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 stil