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Phil

Phil’s path to the pinnacle of success as HomeFixated’s Senior Writer was long and twisted. At various stages of his life, he worked as a framing carpenter, attended motorcycle mechanics school, served as an Army MP, did a hot and itchy stint installing insulation in Phoenix, owned and operated a small contracting firm doing residential renovations, and worked as an employee of a major airline (Motto: We’re not happy ‘til YOU’RE not happy). He is currently semi-retired, but continues to take on little projects, such as the total renovation of an old farmhouse. Yes, he is a slow learner. Future projects include a teardown restoration of his 1965 BMW motorcycle, and designing and building a kick-ass playhouse for his grandsons. Phil loves spending time outdoors, hanging out with family and friends, cool tools, and a cold IPA when beer o'clock rolls around.

Decor, How To

How To Install Wainscoting – Our Cure for Being In The Pink!

A friend once said of my wife that she is not afraid of color. There is ample evidence of this in our home, with its yellow kitchen/family room, gold rag-painted living room, blue and deep-red …

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Written by: Phil

July 30, 2012

3 Comments

first-pergola-joists-in-and-braced

Barbecue, Building Materials, Featured, How To

How to Build A Pergola – Two Days and $500 to Pergolic Splendor!

Last year, my daughter and her husband moved into their first home, somewhere in the great state of Ohio. Fortunately, it needed a little work, so that helped occupy my spare time last summer (and …

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Written by: Phil

July 18, 2012

98 Comments

Electrical, How To, Tools

6 Essential Electrical Tools to Tackle Common DIY Projects

Tired of that pink-painted outlet in the bathroom? Had it with the $4 K-Mart overhead light the previous owners stuck you with? Craving some soft mood lighting in your dining space to replace the buzzing, …

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Written by: Phil

June 20, 2012

2 Comments

Hitachi, Tools

Mean and Green – Hitachi DS18DL Drill Review

Let’s just jump right in and address the most obvious topic of concern with this drill: It does sort of have a Green Hornet Off His Meds/Statue of Liberty Sideways Crown vibe goin’ on. Undoubtedly, …

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Written by: Phil

May 23, 2012

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Electrical, How To, Safety

It’s Not My (Ground) Fault! How to Replace a Sketchy Outlet With a GFCI Receptacle

Living in an area with a lot of older homes, and being widely renowned for my vintage home repair expertise (if only in my own mind), I have ample opportunities to hone my character-rectification skills. …

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Written by: Phil

May 16, 2012

1 Comment

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