The other day I was installing some light fixtures for the studio I was working on in Brentwood. Installing a light fixture is not (usually) a difficult project, but can be one of the most rewarding and effective ways of updating a room’s decor. The first step is always to locate the correct circuit breaker [...] Read More

As I started gutting the kitchen we discovered a long forgotten brick chimney in the corner. Originally, the chimney was built to vent some kind of cook stove, maybe coal-burning. It was later covered with plaster and cabinets to hide it completely. Even a little exposed brick in a kitchen looks great so we decided [...] Read More

I just noticed a video on the Fine Homebuilding site highlighting the use of a sharpened putty knife to cut rigid insulation. The author, Charles Miller, says that it was the best tool for the job that he’s ever found. It might work, but I’ve got a BETTER idea. For the studio project I’ve been [...] Read More

This studio project that I’ve been working on has presented many opportunities for me to learn new skills and use new tools. The basic room was fairly normal, but on top of the finished walls I built acoustical baffles that basically covered every wall throughout the recording space. In addition, many of them were installed [...] Read More

Yesterday was the day to install the door ‘gaskets’ for the entry into a home studio project that I’ve been working on for a few months. The idea is to block as much sound coming in or out of the studio as possible. The ‘gasket’ is similar to fancy weatherstripping for an exterior door. The [...] Read More