The handyman talks about building the ultimate man cave, must-have power tools, and what it’s like to work with Tony Siragusa.
Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes. Photograph courtesy of Jordan Matter Photography.
Licensed contractor and landscaping expert Jason Cameron has been a fixture on home improvement shows for nearly a decade, appearing on TLC’s Trading Spaces and While You Were Out. Now, the host of DIY Network’s Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes spends his days building manly retreats and transforming humdrum yards. This week, Cameron headlines Washington’s Home and Remodeling Show at the Dulles Expo Center (4320 Chantilly Ctr., Chantilly, VA). We caught up with the venerable handyman to discuss his must-have power tools, his favorite carpentry website, and whether Man Caves will ever make it to Washington.
The network’s hit TV show “Bang For Your Buck” is infiltrating the Washington suburbs, and your humble abode could make the cut
The addictive design series Bang for Your Buck is gearing up for its eighth season, and producers are scouring the area for recently remodeled master suites. Every episode tours three homes with similar renovations to determine which homeowner got the biggest bang for their buck.
Check out this clip from the last time the show came to the District.
Designer’s gorgeous pad was previously featured by The Washingtonian
Lori Graham's kitchen has a hidden pantry where she can stash messes during parties. Photograph by Morgan Howarth.
When we featured interior designer Lori Graham’s Dupont Circle rowhouse in our October guide to Dream Kitchens, we didn’t realize just how drool-worthy the rest of the home was. It’s now on the market for $2,749,900, and this photo tour left us with a serious case of house envy.
What’s the best way to make sure your home’s heating-and-cooling system works when you need it? As simple as it sounds, it’s to change the filters regularly.
Bill Wetzel, co-owner of Gaithersburg Air Conditioning & Heating, says old filters are a big cause of system failures: “Some people don’t realize they have air filters that need to be changed on their units. A filter that’s been in there longer than it should be puts a strain on the system. You can really do some damage.”
Remodeling magazine says small projects like new decks and minor kitchen facelifts are currently better returns on investment than big upscale renovations.
What’s an easy way to increase the value of your house? Replace your front door.
Remodeling magazine publishes an annual Cost vs. Value Report showing how much various projects add to a home’s resale value. In the 2010–11 study, editorial director Sal Alfano noticed that inexpensive projects topped the list for best value.
Advice on installing and maintaining wooden floors from expert Sprigg Lynn.
Sprigg Lynn with flooring from the Supreme Court. Photograph by Chris Leaman.
How can you keep hardwood flooring looking like new? What kind of wood is right for your home? Here’s advice on installing and maintaining wooden floors:
• Is just one area on a hardwood floor worn—in front of a desk, for example? You don’t have to refinish the whole floor; you can do a touchup. “Most people say it can’t be done because they can’t do it,” says Sprigg Lynn of Universal Floors, which does such touchups.
