Room Candy

May 14, 2013

Ladies: Whats in your DIY Tool Kit?

The Stylists Tool Kit Essentials:



...Nothing gets a guy off the couch faster than a girl with a drill and a shelf in hand !!

As much as that's true, we are pretty adept with the basics. Hammer screwdriver drill.... we do most of the installation work required in a styling or staging job. 

*However MUST say this...
DO  NOT attempt jobs requiring experts unless you are an expert! 
 ie:  no electrical/ plumbing etc...Call in the pros for the big stuff .
 It will save you time and money in the long run.

As Stylists we stock our kits , ready for any basic DIY challenge! Lately we have had many projects on the go so my kit is looking a little sparse ( and messy). Time for a refill!!

A rolling compartment kit is great as well but hard to get up/ down stairs. 
Bigger is not always better ...just heavier.


 Staceys kit...much tidier and more organised than mine ... ALWAYS :)

www.interiorstylesbystacey.com

Here are some of our recommended essentials for the home decor enthusiast :

Tools:
  • hammer
  • screwdrivers (all bit types)
  • pliers
  • wire cutters
  • tape measure ( self centering ones are great!)
  • level small and large
  • Allen keys (IKEA anyone :)
  • container with nails, screws, wall anchors
  • utility knife
Power Tools:
  • laser level
  • drill and bits with extra battery ( go lightweight small duty otherwise its really heavy)
  • Stud finder ...always working on this one !
Movers:
furniture sliders -  a stylists most valued investment!! We can not do what we do with out these small plastic wonders! 

These are what they look like and be purchased at most department or DIY type stores.    

furniture movers

Be assured , this is what we are doing...

and not this...although maybe we should be...hmmmm!



                                                                                                                                                              We actually have moved a piano down two steps to a sunken family room using sliders and our full body weight pushing and pulling ..don't recommend that....it was tiny bit risky in hindsight!


Art Hangers:
 A lock tight kit with compartments  to house  hanging hooks in various sizes
 (based on weight)  and Shepard hanging hooks, d-rings, hook and eyes, 
Always check the weight ratio on the hooks. It usually says to NOT wire art and mirrors but we do that a lot . You just have to watch the weight and be very thorough with the wiring.



These are my fav hooks!  ( sorta sad that that gets me excited! )

Other good to haves...
  • cleaning supplies / glass cleaner/ all purpose cleaner
  • Mr Clean Magic Eraser
  • wall filler
  • sand paper
  • putty knife
  • pencils 
  • black and brown markers
  • wood floor crayons
  • Goo Gone ( another  ESSENTIAL!)
  • Glue gun/glue sticks
  • Iron
  • lint roller
  • extension cords
  • tape: packing/ painters/duct
  • scissors
  • Art wall bumpers nubs
  • light bulbs
  • zip ties
  • furniture levelling shims
  • felt pad floor protectors for chair and furniture legs
  • black and white spray paint 
  • step stool

There you go...tool kit list ready for action! Let us know if there is a must have in your kit!

~Enjoy
Tracey & Stacey