This week, we’re transforming a breezeway that looks almost accidental into a more inviting entrance.
Delane Caldwell’s breezeway to her front door is just a narrow hallway to the backyard, but we’re going to find a way to incorporate it more as a living space.
The Projects
Grinding the concrete smooths out the uneven surfaces of the patchwork slabs. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Refinish the Concrete Slab
The concrete in the breezeway looked like a patchwork of slabs. So, to create a uniform-looking slab, we smooth the concrete surface with a grinder.
Coating the breezeway with concrete epoxy paint creates a uniform color throughout the breezeway. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
After we sweep the dust away and rinse the slab off with a water hose, we paint the new smooth slab with a base coat of white epoxy paint.
After the base coat dries, we pop a chalk layout line on the slab to start our stenciling.
This stencil pattern is based on traditional Portuguese Azulejos tile designs. We used black epoxy paint to fill in the tile pattern on the concrete.
Curtains make this space feel more like an outdoor living room than a breezeway. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Hang Curtains
To make the breezeway feel more like a living space, we remove the chain link fence at the end and add curtains.
The fence posts are set in concrete, so to remove them, we’ll need some leverage. After digging up the dirt around the base, we place a concrete block next to the post to act as a fulcrum for our shovel.
To make the curtain rod wide enough to fill the breezeway, we connected two galvanized pipes together with a tee fitting. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Our curtains are going to hang the curtains from a galvanized threaded rod. We first measure the breezeway to ensure our rod is long enough to span the entire opening.
Etching the galvanzied pipe with vinegar ensures the spray paint will stick. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Before we install the rod, we paint it black to match the wrought iron. But, before we can paint, we have to etch the rod with vinegar to ensure the spray paint adheres to it.
Green leafy plants with varying heighth add depth and breadth to the garden space. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Fill Garden Bed
Our next project is to transform the garden bed inside the breezeway from a dirt pit to a green oasis.
We add a mix of green, leafy plants to fill the once-defunct garden space.
We surprised Delane with a smart lock deadbolt to not only dress up her front door but also make her home a little more secure.
The Kwikset Halo Touch Wi-Fi Fingerprint Smart Lock uses Delane’s unique fingerprint to open and lock her front door. This single-cylinder deadbolt also can be locked or unlocked by using the keypad or key from the outside as well as the turn button from the inside.
The smart lock has built-in Wi-Fi that connects directly to the home Wi-Fi network and smartphone for a secure smart home that does not require a third-party smart home hub, panel or subscription.
We also:
Touched up the paint on ironwork with spray paint
Painted front door and patio door dark teal
Today’s Homeowner TV host Danny Lipford and co-host Chelsea Lipford Wolf pose with Delane Caldwell and her father, Tim Caldwell. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Post-Production Thoughts
Delane’s breezeway is the main entrance to her home, but before it had a very tired and haphazard feel to it the random collection of different slabs on the floor only left visitors with questions about what the space was supposed to be.
The sad empty planting bed made the house feel a lot older than it actually was, and the chain link fence made it feel more like a cage than a relaxing space.
But now, the whole Space is taken on the field of a courtyard in a fancy hotel the consistency of the stencil floor ties everything together from the wrought iron gates to the lush green planting beds.
The door adds a pop of color while the fountain adds a cool visual element and a peaceful soundtrack for the space.
The simple curtain rod and the curtains frame the backyard and somehow make it all feel like a resort and we did it all for less than $1,200.
No matter how well you build a wooden fence gate, they all share a common problem over time — the tendency to sag over time.
A sagging gate doesn’t just make your fence look old and unattractive — it’s also a hazard for children and pets.
Wide gates are no exception, and possibly are more susceptible to sagging. For example, this fence gate is five and a half feet wide, and I’ve tried everything over the years. I replaced the hinges with larger hinges. I installed the steel braces in each corner. Still, it didn’t work.
Instead of fighting gravity, prop the sagging gate up when it’s closed or open with a caster.
The caster is made from a simple two-by-four pressure-treated block. Here’s how to build it:
A wood scraper smooths the edges of the two-by-four so it rests neatly against the horizontal fence gate support board. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Cut a notch in the back of the two-by-four pressure-treated board to create a shoulder so it rests under the horizontal rail of the gate.
Cut the notch wide enough for the caster wheel to roll without any blockage. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Then, cut another notch in the bottom to hold the caster. Drill a hole through the notch for a coverage bolt to go through to secure the caster to the block.
The notch on the back of the two-by-four keeps the caster wheel from sticking too far out from the gate. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Finally, secure the caster block to the horizontal support board with four two-inch long galvanized screws.
Now when the gate is open or closed, the caster, not the hinges, completely supports it.
When the house at the end of the cul-de-sac hasn’t changed in 28 years, it’s time for some front porch rehab.
This house belongs to Jeff and Eliese McAllister. The couple, known as Lolli and Pop to their grandchildren, want to update the front porch on “Camp Lollipop” so their grandchildren can enjoy their front yard as much as their children did while growing up.
The porch is blocked off by tall shrubs and is too narrow for the couple to comfortably sit and watch their grandchildren play.
And that’s where we can help!
The Projects
“Open concept” isn’t just for interiors! We’re opening up this front porch.
Opening Up the Front Porch
Removing the shrubs and handrails blocking Jeff and Eliese’s front-yard view is our first big job.
We have to pressure-wash the house to create a clean slate to start our work. Jeff and I remove shrubs, with the help of the couple’s grandsons, while Chelsea and Eliese tackle the handrails.
This is what happens when your wood isn’t treated before painting or staining it.
Because the wood handrails aren’t treated, they are rotting away. So, knocking them out with a sledgehammer is the best way to open up the porch — and, maybe, release some tension along the way.
After removing the handrails, we apply putty and sand the columns so it’s like they were never there, to begin with.
Repairing siding isn’t just a cosmetic fix; it can prevent bigger problems later on if the elements enter your home.
Repairing the Shutters and Dormers
This curb appeal makeover requires more than opening up the front porch. We’ve noticed some problems that needed immediate fixes!
First, we repair the ground floor’s damaged shutters. Then, we get up on the roof to repair siding on the dormers. Of the 12 shutters on the front of this house, just one set has a little wood rot. So, Jeff doesn’t want to replace them all.
Since none of these pieces were standard lumber sizes, we had to cut them down on the table saw. Chelsea used the old pieces as a pattern to cut new pieces from the fiber cement material.
A Woodcraft WoodRiver General Purpose Carbide Tipped Saw Blade comes in handy when you need to make custom cuts.
This front porch is coming along, but it could use more character. We will paint the porch to add some.
Painting the Front Porch
After all the repairs were done, we put a fresh coat of paint on the siding, trim and front porch ceiling. The green shutters clashed with the red-tinted wood door, so we painted them gray to tone it down.
The painted pattern adds a pop of color to this front porch.
The concrete on the front porch has seen better days. Instead of gutting the concrete, we painted a pattern on it using a stencil! It’s a great way to give your concrete a fresh look without breaking the bank.
Spreading out the new flowerbeds adds to the open feeling.
Planting New Flowerbeds
Next, we added some fresh landscaping. Before, the plants were too concentrated at the front of the porch, so we spread them out to maintain the open space feel.
Finally, we put down a fresh layer of pine straw to finish off the flowerbed.
We also:
Added address numbers to the porch column
Removed the intercom/doorbell
Installed a new porch light
Installed soffit vents
Replaced the rocking chairs
“Today’s Homeowner” hosts Danny Lipford and Chelsea Lipford Wolf, pictured with Jeff and Eliese McAllister.
Post-Production Thoughts
This front porch rehab really brings things full circle: Jeff and Eliese’s kids grew up here, and now they’re seeing their grandkids grow here.
At one point, the couple thought about selling the house. But with this new front yard, they’re happy to be able to stay in the home they raised their kids, and now, their grandkids as well.
We’re transforming a shed into an art studio for homeowner Linda Johansen.
Linda is native to Mobile, Ala., and has settled in Fairhope, Ala., after adventuring around the world with Delta Airlines. She has gradually redone her home one room at a time but needs a little help with her shed — and we’re happy to help!
Linda’s shed has great potential for an artist’s oasis!
Preparing the Shed
For prep, we didn’t have to do too much. Linda helped us out by cleaning out as much as she could so we could get right to the renovation.
We start by removing the siding that faces the street to close up the door. By closing up the door, both security and more room for Linda’s shed.
By removing the siding, we can now close up the door to create more space.
We also remove the small concrete ramp leading to the door. It’s rare if the slab of the concrete floor and the ramp are poured at the same time. Since there’s no line between the ramp and the concrete slab, I’m using a saw to score it so the ramp has a clean break.
Chelsea and Linda get busy sanding the cabinets.
Refinishing the Cabinets
Linda has the original kitchen cabinets that came with her home. Like us, Linda hates to waste perfectly good furniture. So instead of getting rid of the kitchen cabinets, we’re refinishing and putting them in Linda’s she-shed!
The new color Linda chose for her cabinets makes the space pop.
Chelsea and Linda took to sanding the old cabinets and painting them a fun shade of blue. This shade of blue is actually color matched from one of Linda’s pillows and makes the space pop more!
The new potting bench adds more character to Linda’s she-shed!
Adding a Potting Bench
To add more of Linda’s personality to the shed, we’re building a free-standing potting bench. It enhances the appeal of the shed from the outside while also allowing storage for Linda’s garden tools.
With the potting bench in place, Linda’s shed is now a home for all of her hobbies!
“Today’s Homeowner” hosts Danny Lipford and Chelsea Lipford Wolf, pictured with Linda Johansen.
Production Thoughts
When we first saw Linda’s shed it was attractive on the outside but had yet to reach its potential on the inside. Linda needed a space for her creative side to paint and garden as she pleases.
By covering up the door facing the street, we created more wall space for functionality. The refinished cabinets add a pop of color and creativity to this artist’s shed. And the potting bench on the side of the shed adds even more of Linda’s personality to her hobbies!
Other Tips from this Episode
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When raking leaves and putting them into a trashcan lined with a plastic bag, the weight of the leaves tends to pull the bag down inside the can. Every time you dump in leaves, you have to readjust the bag.
To prevent this from happening, put the bag in the trash can and fold its open end over the can, as usual.
Next, stretch a bicycle inner tube around the outside of the trash can to securely hold the bag in place.
Bike inner tubes are available in sizes up to about 26-inch diameter, so you should be able to find one to fit your trash can.
A leaf blower and some plastic downspout are all you need for the fastest and best way to clean gutters. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
3. Fast Way to Clean Gutters
Our next Fall Simple Solution is a clever way to clean gutters using a 10-foot length of a vinyl downspout.
Start by using a pair of snips to cut the end of the downspout, then pinch it closed with duct tape. This will create more power and pressure at the end.
Now, slip the opposite end of the downspout onto the leaf blower and you’re ready to power-blast your gutters clean.
You can blow out 8 to 10 feet of gutter from one position to either side, meaning you’ll only have to move the ladder maybe once or twice to clean the gutters along the entire house.
A slotted berry container is a perfect tool to evenly distribute grass seeds. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
4. DIY Grass Seed Shaker
Fall is the best time of year to sow grass seed because of the mix of warm soil and cool air.
Here’s a tip for over-seeding any bare or thin spots on your lawn.
Begin by getting a small plastic clam-shell berry container, the kind that supermarkets use to sell blueberries and raspberries. The containers have small slotted drainage slots that are perfect for distributing grass seeds.
Just dip the berry container in a seed bag, close the lid, and gently shake it over the bare spots. You’ll get a nice, even distribution of seeds, without wasting seeds.
Next, rake the seeds into the soil, water the area, and cover with mulch hay.
Drilling holes into the side of a garbage can is a quick and easy way to relieve suction. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
5. Non-Suctioning Garbage Can
Most people collect leaves by simply dumping them into a large plastic bag inside a trash can.
And there’s nothing wrong with that except when you go to remove the full bag of leaves — the bag forms suction at the bottom, making it difficult to yank out the bag.
So, here’s how to break that vacuum so the bag slides right out: Take a 5/8-inch diameter drill bit and drilled a series of holes around the outside of the can and also in the bottom.
The holes will allow air to flow into the can, breaking the vacuum.
