Marc Lyman

Marc grew up under a brave single mom who "encouraged" home improvement on the family home. Early toddler gifts included a tool set, and even a cordless Bosch drill when cordless drills first came out. In grade school (give or take a few years), Marc's mom said, "We need to cut down some trees. . . . here's a chainsaw." A father figure also involved Marc in many home improvement projects, including a summer of home remodeling in Palo Alto, CA. Toss in some Obsessive Compulsive personality traits researching everything home improvement related. The end result: a genetically pre-disposed, socially sculpted home improvement machine! For his complete profile, please visit our About page. Really, it's worth it.

Green, Lighting

Sexy LED Mood Lighting

My wife loves candles. Anytime we have guests over and it is even close to dusk, she will run around the house lighting candles everywhere. I agree they look great, but I do not really …

Written by: Marc Lyman

October 7, 2005

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Heating & Cooling

Do not Heat your Couch

As much as it pains me to say it, winter is coming. This means overnight temperatures here in San Diego might dip below 68. Worse yet, it gets dark right after work which severely restricts …

Written by: Marc Lyman

October 5, 2005

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Tools, Woodworking

Nail Gripping Excitement

If I had a dollar for every time I have accidentally hammered my own fingers, I would have at least four dollars. Chances are you would too! If you really value your digits, consider the …

Written by: Marc Lyman

October 3, 2005

3 Comments

Painting

Adding Paint to Coffee

I love a good entrepreneurial story. Take this coffee can as an example. In 2001, an enterprising fellow named Mark Bergman devised this can to help him with his painting chores. Not long after, the …

Written by: Marc Lyman

September 28, 2005

2 Comments

Green, Painting

Eco Friendly Stripping

I love it when my wife strips! I am referring of course to paint stripping. Not only paint stripping, but eco-friendly paint stripping at that. I refinished a door a while back and used some …

Written by: Marc Lyman

September 26, 2005

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Tools

Circling the Problem of Circle Cutting in Drywall

Cutting circles in drywall can be a dusty, inexact process. Trying to stick to the pencil line you drew around your coffee can, especially with your 14,000 rpm rotary tool, sometimes results in ovals rather …

Written by: Marc Lyman

September 23, 2005

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Bath, Lighting

Light up the Tub

Michael Singer over at cnet News posted an article about a company called GNR8. The company, which specializes in swanky modern lighting, has basins and yes, bathtubs that are illuminated. This gives mood lighting a …

Written by: Marc Lyman

September 21, 2005

1 Comment

Gardening, Green

I will not be Hounded by Weeds

Have I mentioned my refusal to use toxins to control weeds on our lawn? On the off chance I might become possessed and choose to lick our lawn, or that the toxins will seep into …

Written by: Marc Lyman

September 20, 2005

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Bath, Decor

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Every once in a while I come across a home improvement business and think, “why didn’t I think of that?” That was the case when I saw a recent advertorial for a San Diego company …

Written by: Marc Lyman

September 15, 2005

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Tools

Don’t Sneeze at the Zipwall

Apparently I could have used a handy Zipwall last weekend. I was doing a little plaster patching that at one point involved a circular saw and a massive dust cloud. I was wearing a respirator, …

Written by: Marc Lyman

September 12, 2005

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