I could talk and talk about this great picture from CoastalLiving.com. Clearly, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the awesome open beams, and the really cool folding doors.

But the real reason I picked this picture is because it matches my blog! And I wanted to show off the new arrangement of the page which will allow me to use huge pictures! Sometimes, a huge picture is very important. How else can you see those details?

I’ll be making some changes in the details of the design over the next week or two. I can’t dedicate too much time to it, or else my paying customers will see and get mad. So, a little at a time, I’ll be reorganizing the categories, cleaning up the sidebars, and other general “remodeling blog blog remodeling”.

One big change, especially for all you who have been wondering what happened to the “Remodeling Guy IdeaLetter” is that I’ll be doing that more frequently. If you don’t subscribe, just click on the button in the header to sign-up.

Thanks to all of you for being here, and stay tuned for the changes!

And the next installment on the series on paneling should be published tomorrow!

Hey! Big announcement! I’ve talked for at least two months about setting up a Forum for all of the great discussions we have here at Remodeling Guy!

Well… I did it! It’s a technical work-in-progress, so please come back and let me know if you can’t register or see anything on your screen!

The point is this… I have over twenty years of knowledge as a general remodeling contractor and I know that all of you have a combined knowledge many times greater than mine! We need a place to ask questions, get answers, and discuss ideas, amongst friends where we feel comfortable!

The Forums have been up and running for almost 24 hours now and it seems like everything works!  I’ve answered a number of questions already and I think I’m going to wonder why I didn’t do this long ago!  I can’t really promise you that I’ll be able to answer every question, or that the ones I can answer will get answered immediately. But I’ll do my best, and I hope you know by now that I really do care about your project, your home, and your life! So I’ll help if I can.

We’ll see how it goes… here is the link Remodeling Guy Forums

Many categories have no threads yet…start ‘em up!

Please offer feedback, both in the forums, and the comments!

I’m still fairly new to blogging. RemodelingGuy.net has been up for just under two months and we had Forever…Wherever!!! For about a month before that. Before that, nada.

It’s been a very interesting, exciting, and somewhat addictive experience so far! We’ve gotten to know so many wonderful people and formed lasting friendships!

People share on blogs. Maybe it’s the safety of distance, the comfort of being at home, or the simple fact that we’re drawn to people we have something in common with; whatever the reason, people come out of their shells on blogs! That’s a good thing.

Great for Learning!

I’ve also learned a ton! Blogs, by their very nature, are information sources. The button doesn’t say “Publish” for nothing! These are online publishing platforms and they’re changing the fabric of information distribution. The problem is never a lack of great content on blogs, it’s usually a lack of time to read it all!

Momentum

One thing I’ve noticed with my work on RemodelingGuy.net is that blogs tend to create momentum in a given direction. Positive feedback from readers leads a blogger to come up with more content for those readers, which brings more readers who like that content and more feedback for that content!

On this blog, for example, I see a huge lean toward the DIY projects. The number of people who have clicked on the DIY category button is more than triple the next one , which I think is Kitchens.

You guys clearly want to do some remodeling and you want to Do-It-Yourself! This not only gives you the satisfaction and enjoyment of the performing the work itself, but also saves you some dough in the process!

I Have More!

I do my own work. I guess that makes me a DIY’er myself. Of course I’m a contractor, so I guess that means I’m using a contractor! So I’m both!

I’m all over the board on the financial side of things too! I always try to do things as inexpensively as possible. Sometimes I can make even the tightest of tight-wads call me a cheap-skate! I like to save money on purchases and work. (Too bad that sentence didn’t end after the word money!)

But I splurge sometimes too! I can get crazy at times. Take my driveway for example. I’m going to pave it sooner or later. Right now it’s all loose white gravel and I want something I can walk on barefoot (my normal state when home).

But I don’t want just ANY driveway…I want real, solid, used, clay brick commonly referred to as “Old Chicago”. These aren’t cheap, so when I do this I’ll have to forget about common sense and budgeting for at least a few days!

All Things to All People

The common adage is that you can’t do it. We all know the sayings: You can’t be all things to all people; You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time…etc.

Why not? Well, if I can’t, and I know I can’t, I can at least try! I’ve been a contractor FOREVER! My whole life, this is what I’ve done. I’m slowly shifting my career away from the entrenched path and one of the things I want to do is write. A bunch. (sooner or later I’ll have to figure out a way to make some money!)

I want to write about:

• Do-It-Yourself       and Using a Professional
• Doing it cheaply   and Blowing the College Fund
• Quick and Easy     and Months and Months of Torture!
• Common Materials   and Rare Stone from Portugal
• Simple How-To’s    and Don’t Try this at home!

You get the idea! So how, in the world, do I think I can do that?

Specialty Blogs! Everybody is calling them channels and I want to be different, so I’m going to call mine Specialties!

Take a look at the far right sidebar. You’ll see a new row of menu buttons. Those each lead to a brand new area of the RemodelingGuy.net website. I think you’ll find that there is going to be something for everyone!

Today marks one month since my first real post at Remodeling Guy!  What a month!

While I know that my meager stats are childs play for many of the amazing bloggers who grace this blog with their presence, I am very proud to announce that we hit 10,000 unique visitors yesterday!  (total, not for the day!) That’s not too bad for a first month (is it?)!

I have a lot planned for the second month!  Here is a short list:

• The big giveaway I actually planned (versus the one below that was spontaneous)
• An update on our Featured Project and the very patient Jennifer and Dale
• A How-To Paint Your Cabinets post related to the “For the Birds” giveaway
• The release of our first premium (but free) content packed Email Newsletter (eZine)
• The release of the second half of “Developing Your Dream”
• Some photos of an actual real job of mine
• of course, the best stuff has to remain a secret….

Join the Crew and be a part of all of this.  Use one of the many ways to subscribe to Remodeling Guy!

If you’re new here, thank you for reading this far down!  Please look all around.  I really think you’ll find something you can use!  If you want to know about me, check out the About page!

Finally…read the post below if you haven’t seen it.  I’m keeping the giveaway open to suggestions for a few more days and I really hope to get some more great ideas.  Read the comments too, some of the ideas already there are inspiring all by themselves!

Thanks for being a part of The Crew (or the Temps)!

Good Morning Crew!

I know, I know; it’s not morning to everyone who reads this.  But it’s morning here, and I’m happy about it, so I’ll say it again:  Good Morning!

I have so much to announce/ tell you / ask you  this morning!  Before we start, let me warn you, this is a little long and there are no pictures!  But there is a payoff!  This is the post that lets you put in your two-cents about this blog.  You have an opportunity here to make this blog more helpful for you! Here we go:

First, for those of you looking for the post about the style shift and the economy, it’s on my bad side at the moment.  When that post straightens itself out a little and acts like a big post, then I’ll let it out of it’s folder!

Which brings up a thought.  I’m thinking the “Upcoming Articles” page is a bad idea, but I want some advice from The Crew.

Oh, did I forget to mention:  I held a vote, and the unanimous choice for the “affectionate nickname” for regular readers is:

 The Crew (cheers, hooray, amazing) 

So those who are sort of testing the waters : Temps… right, like part of The Crew today, but maybe not tomorrow!  I hope you decide to go full-time!

Back to the Upcoming Articles.  I’m thinking it’s not so smart (I sort of had a clue when I scoured hundreds of blogs looking for something like it and saw zilch, nada, zippo). 

My reason for developing it was that I wanted to let you know what was coming,  I also thought it would make it clear that I’m committed to providing a continual stream of solid content.

My reason for thinking I should take it away:  I’m no different than you.  I also have to go out and get some fuel for my creativity train. 

For those who don’t know what I’m talking about…you should go to the download page for Developing Your Dream – Part One and get that valuable, but free, resource.  It’s the first part of a really helpful and inspiring guide to doing a great remodeling project, or two.

When you read that you’ll hear the following ancient proverb in the making “Inspiration is the fuel that keeps the creative train rolling.”  It may not be rocket science, but it sure is good to remember.

But what I didn’t put in the download, that I probably should go back and add is that “Inspiration fuel has a short shelf life!”  When you fuel up, you better be ready to rock n’ roll!  You have to have pen and paper, or computer, or a crayon…whatever you have, you have to write down those ideas! Right then.

Long story short… I want to be free to hit you with something “inspired” if I get it!  I don’t want to come up with some great idea and write a great post, only to put it on a shelf until the next open day on the calendar.  Conversely, if I’m about to post something that was planned, but then decide it’s just not good enough, I’d rather put it back in a folder until it’s ready.

I’d like to put some really helpful content out there.  Have you read these posts?:

The Top Five Money Questions for Remodeling in 2009

The Wintertime Blues, and Reds, and Yellows, and …

Make The Most of Small Spaces

Lighting: A Key to Creating an Environment

If not, check them out!

So, all that to say that the calendar thing is gone for the time being.  Let me know your thoughts, please!

Let’s see, what else?

Audio/Visual Posts

One of the things I’m working on that I’m really excited about is an audio/visual post.  I’m not exactly sure how I’ll end up putting it together, but I think it’s going to be really exciting and fun!   I’d like to get this to you within a week or so.  I’m really looking forward to it!

What About the BUILD stuff?

I’m working on a way to provide some tips and ideas for the less glamorous side of this work I show you.  But I really like to keep inspiring and visually engaging content on the front page.  I have to come up with a section for the “Build” stuff. 

In the meantime, I would love some suggestions as to what you want to know, remembering that I’m not the guy to show you step-by-step how to hang a door, or change a toilet.  See the Mr. How To over in the categories.

A Forum

Sooner or later, I’ll come up with some better way of tracking and answering all of your questions.  I think a forum type interface is the way to go.  I’ll have that up and running asap. 

In the meantime, I hope I haven’t left anyone hanging.  I’ve tried to answer all of your questions and I think I have.  Some answers are in the comments and some have been by email.  Please feel free to email me if you’re waiting.

An Email Newsletter

Coming very soon, I’ll be putting out an email newsletter full of more tips and tricks… you know what!  You’re witnessing the behind the scenes process of Remodeling Guy LIVE, RIGHT NOW.  A really cool light bulb in an awesome fixture just lit up above my head… I have an idea!

I’ll put a bunch of the “Build” stuff in the newsletter (among other things).  That format allows for lengthier details and more in-depth description, which the actual work part really requires.  Now that the idea is formulating, this should be coming very soon!

If you’re interested in the newsletter, please email me now and let me know!

Open to ideas

I think that’s it for the moment!   I do want to say how excited I am that you’re here!  This blog is really only about three weeks old and we already have almost 200 subscribers!  I’m so glad to see that.  I want to provide you with incredible content that provides real value to you and actually HELPS you.

I think that the state of the economy is such that I really should gear this blog to those who need ideas and help with ways to either do-it-yourself or how to save money if you hire people. I want Remodeling Guy to be a place to help thousands of people through a rough time by helping make their home an amazing place to be!

The questions:

• What are your thoughts about the calendar thingy, is it okay to drop that?
• What would you like to see/hear in an Audio/Video post?
• What type of articles on “build” level things do you need to see?
• Would you be interested in a Forum to ask questions/ discuss ideas/ etc.?
• What would you like to see in an email newsletter?  Would you like one?
• Any other ideas or suggestions (be nice!) ?

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments, always open to both The Crew and the Temps!

That’s a funny post title, because pretty much everything is new at Remodeling Guy! The whole blog is only a couple of weeks old!

However! Some things are newer than others and I have a couple of announcements:

Remodeling News

I’ve added a new feature to the blog today.

On a regular basis, I’m going to search the earth, leaving no stone unturned, in seek of the latest and most interesting news about the world of remodeling, design, and home improvement!

And to think I always hated the “current events” assignments…

I will warn you…this section will be totally and completely biased. If it goes over there, I gotta think there’s something worth reading in it. Though you may have no idea what it is!

I hardly ever do “bad news”. Somehow the thing about Home Depot “Expo” closing is making the cut because I’m seeing clearance sales!

In Really Big News

I’m excited to announce the first RemodelingGuy.net featured project!A reader from Connecticut contacted me looking for some assistance.

The House

The Family

This beautiful home is occupied by a family of six! I’ll get more of the details to you in a future post, but here’s the short story:

Dale and Jennifer bought this house in 2003. At the time, they had two young children with plans to have more. Since then they have added two more members to the family and may not be done yet! The house is about 1200sf; 3br/1ba. If they don’t need space, then they need some ingenious space saving solutions! I don’t think I’m that smart…I think they need space!

The money the couple had saved with plans to remodel a few years ago went into some unexpected work. The basement flooded, the bathroom had some “issues”, and the oil tank on the heater had to be replaced. So much for the remodel for the time being.

As the kids grow, the need for space does too! And wouldn’t another bathroom be a nice thing!

I’ll get more into the details after we get some preliminary designs worked out! But I wanted you all to know about the project so you could be on the lookout for updates.

Dale is the Pastor of a local church. Can I make a prayer request? Creativity and Ingenuity…that’s what I need to help get this done! Oh, did I mention…there is a budget too! There is always a budget! Stay tuned!