We have an empty space. My girlfriend wants a sewing room. I want a poker room. What’s my best bet?
Brian, Harrisonburg, VA
I’ve worked enough jobs to know you aren’t gonna win, Brian, so I’d put
my chips on compromise. Explain the situation to your contractor and
let him draw up the plans—maybe a table in the middle, dark shades on
the windows, neutral cabinets. Her stuff goes on one side, yours on the
other. You could even put a wet bar in there and close it off so she
doesn’t see it. Voilà, sewing room by day, poker room by night.
What’s the one must-have tool every guy should own?
Robert, Racine, WI
I’m going to have to pick two, Robert. The first is a brain, which will
allow him to tackle any project with creativity and imagination. The
second is patience, which will enable him to work with the precision of
an engineer. That said, you’d be amazed at what you can accomplish with
a good miter saw.
Where’s the best place to hide my valuables?
Andy, Denver, CO
Ah, the bank. But I assume you want your stuff within reach, which
means you have two choices: strength or stealth. That is, you can
invest in an expensive safe that can’t be moved without a crane, or you
can make a secret compartment where no crook would think to look. I’ve
built more than a few little wooden boxes into the exposed beams of the
basement. I make it look like nothing; only the homeowner knows it’s
something. And you can buy fake soda cans and hollowed-out books
online. Whatever you do, don’t hide anything under your mattress or in
the refrigerator, unless it’s, respectively, vintage swimsuit issues or
Klondike bars.
The wife and kids want a pool, which I know isn’t a great investment. Should I tell them to shut up, or should I just dive in?
John, Pittsburgh, PA
Here’s what you need to know about pools:
1 They’re expensive and don’t add a dime to the value of your home.
2 The upkeep will drain your wallet faster than any other home improvement.
3 They’re often a fantastic
investment—in your family and in your sex life. A pool will make your
wife’s dream come true in much the same way a BMW 6 Series might for
you, and it’ll keep your kids close to home every summer. You really
can’t put a price on that.
Need a hand? Drop Johnny a line.