Team Two Times

The possibilities are endless if you have a tired old living room and $1,000. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Add chair rails for instant charm. If you want to take it a step further, try painting a dark color below the rail and a lighter shade above. For a little work and about $200, this is an easy project that offers dramatic results.

Change your flooring. If you think you can’t afford hardwood floors, you’re wrong. There are many great looking laminate floors on the market for $1-1.50/sq ft. This puts the cost of wood flooring for the average living room at about $400, and with the new “click lock” or “snap together” flooring systems, anyone can install them. There’s no glue or mess and you can change them in a few years just as easily.

Don’t forget to accessorize. An area rug is a simple way to ground the space and add color. A new media center will also change the feel of your room. If you don’t have money in the budget to buy a new one, try looking in the online classifieds for one that will work with your design. If you can’t find one that matches your current furniture, think about painting or refinishing one that will fit in your space. You’ll not only get the look you love but imagine the bragging rights!

Save money for beer and pizza, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your new living room. I should also note that if you invite friends to assist you ALWAYS serve the beer after the job is done. Trust me on this.

Labels: $1000 living room makeover, 24 hour design, budget, design on a dime, do it yourself, fun home projects, hgtv, home improvement, russ hemmis, team two times

Team 2 Times blogger extraordinaire, Marcus, was recently featured on Bob Vila's Home Improvement Website. The article was featuring cool play areas built for kids! Check out the article on Bob Vila's website!

Labels: Bob Vila, construction, Cool kid ideas, creative home projects, Creative Kid spaces, do it yourself, fun home projects, Kids play areas, marcus hunt, team two times

The first project that I can remember creating was a present that I wanted to make for my mom. I think I was about 28, ha, no, more like 8 and it was a shoe rack. My dad helped me cut two wooden squares out of ¾ inch plywood and drill 3 holes into them. I used dowels in between and it actually worked. I ended up being asked to make two more for her friends. Probably more to make me feel good, opposed to my stellar carpentry skills, but I had fun.

Labels: carpentry, dad, do it yourself, dowels, drill, home improvement, how to, mom, plywood, shoe rack

Although the joke behind Team Two Times name is that it usually takes us twice to get something right, the key to starting any project is taking your time and preparation. You’ll save both time and money by not just jumping in blindly. This may mean doing some internet searching, buying a do-it-yourself book at your local hardware or book store or having someone with experience help you.

We hope you will consider us a resource too. We have made a living buying properties in the Los Angeles area and renovating them ourselves and we are so fortunate to now be on HGTV and to be able to share our experience with you.

We started this blog not only to share funny stories of our mistakes, but to actually help other people who want to tackle home renovations and could value from those mistakes. So email us, yell at us, whatever...just keep stopping by!

Labels: cable, construction, do it yourself, hgtv, home improvement, los angeles, marcus hunt, properties, renovation, russ hemmis, team two times