RedneckModern

Pool Building Tips

Mira (former Eichler owner in San Jose) asked me about building a new pool at her new house in Denver. I bemused not having posted a definitive pool-building blog post, but in answering her questions, I kind of did. I'll include it below.

[This was an impromptu snap of the MicroEichler. Find more pics on Instagram.]

In the shade

It's, like, 214deg today in Concord and with a south-facing rear, the backyard gets all of the sun. Finding suitable shade-providing — and pool friendly — solutions has proven difficult. With a combination of sail shades and umbrellas, we think we have it solved to a degree (pun intended).

Malm fireplace conversion

We were lucky enough to pick up a vintage Malm Zircon-38 fireplace last summer from a house that was doing some demo — that the piece only cost $75 (instead of 10X–20X that price) was the first shocker. Next, the ease of transitioning it to a gas (propane) fired fire-pit was the second one. All in, I think we're at about $500 tops.

When we picked it up (thanks to my friend Bret for the lifting help), we knew it was going to take some TLC. It had been in a mid-century living room for years and was unloved a good bit of that time. Some of the bits were bent and some of the porcelain had chipped off (come to find out, this will be a recurring problem). But, as they say: "it has good bones" and was a perfect candidate for an outside fire-pit/fireplace, so I got to work... It wasn't until the following year, however, that the conversion to a propane fuel source made sense (after the latest CA wildfire, I doubt we'll even light another wood-burning fire. With a pending s'mores-fueled birthday/pool party, it was time to start the project.

[Before and after]

Retracta R3 Hose Reel

[Update: within a few days of posting this, the US-rep reached out to me to answer a few questions and take down some user-feedback. They've already implemented a few of the easier changes (a foam wrap around the brass nozzle to prevent shipping damage) and a new color way (aahem: still waiting for the gray with orange hose)... Nonetheless, it demonstrates the want for a company to get-it-right.]

[Breakage-alert: The clamp that attaches the nose to the inside reel is not tightened enough and will — over time — slip free if under pressure. Two easy fixes: (1) don't leave the pressure on the hose — turn off the spigot. (2) a half dozen #2PH screws hold the faceplate onto the unit. Remove the screws. Rotate the face a slight turn to release the tabe — and remove. See where the tail end of the hose connects to the reel on the inside? Simply tighten that metal clamp a bit more — easy. Retracta has already implemented a fix on the most recent models.]

It's often the small things that can either make you happy or be the bane of your existence ... and sometimes a single thing can be one and the same. Hose reels are something that you don't think a lot about until you do... and then — if you're like me — it can be all-consuming.

Years ago, we stumbled upon the idea of an auto-retracting hose reel. At the time, Claber and Gardena were the two biggest names in the game here in the US. Both were Italian. Both were cool. Both were expensive. We went with the Claber model. Trouble is, they never lasted more than a few years before the sun faded them badly, the retracting spring gave out, and you started to hate everything Italian. There's nothing more annoying than a pile of 50ft hose under a retracting reel that won't retract. We tried the Gardena model later and it leaked within the day — uggg. So, we just bought the Claber reels every 4 years or so. Then they became unavailable.

[(left) When the Claber was good, it was very good... (right) but when it was dead...]

We started a new search last year. There were tons of cheap import versions with weird names like G-GOODGAIN, OT-QOMOTOP and TwinkleStar. We tried one from Giraffe Tools and it was returned the next day. It's hard to imagine that an idea so simple would be so easy to mess up, but folks can apparently do it. We had given up hope.

Last week, we stumbled across an Australian design/made reel called the Retracta R3. Australia is not known for its sleek industrial design and this model is no different. Like an Ute, it's pretty ugly... you might says it's cute-ugly, but like an Ute, it's made to work well more than look good. Casie — the engineer in the house — said: "Like, all it really needs is a big-ass spring, right?" (... and cue the Crocodile Dundee "Now, that's a spring!").

[Note: I've had a pair of Australian Blundstones on my feet every day for the past two decades, so there's no ire for AUS goods].

The five-dollar house jack

In a recent renovation, I kind of* invented something: the $5 house jack. Using two pieces of material — in this case: composite decking (with good compressive strength) — and some common hardware, we were able to lift the beam holding the house, the 1/2in necessary to install a secondary support post. Check it out.

[The house jack in action ... below a cut-to-size 4X4 post]

Where design meets real life: A POV

As a builder, every time I pick up a hammer,

I realize something that I got wrong as a designer...

By day, I spend my time as a designer and design-educator dreaming up new ways to solve visual problems with a bit of beauty or interest. However, early-on in my career, I took a strong liking to the craft of production... on the journey, I've picked up a few new monikers: builder, maker, craftsman (or the latest: "super-detail-oriented-customer"). Between cabinetry designs, bath renovations, door installs and now audio builds, I'm keeping myself busy.

This has given a unique perspective on how to get stuff done that looks great and works well. I has also dispelled the idea that "good design" isn't about uniqueness, but has as much to do with what can be produced — and repeated if necessary... and last a long time. This spans the gamut from material choices to installation techniques... and along the way, I've learned a few things. Here are three tips that might come in handy when planning a project:

[Over the years, my boots have seen a lot of muck, but each time I step in it, I learn something new.]

Redneckmodern: What's this all about?

Redneckmodern chronicles the renovation of an Eichler-built home in Concord California... since then, it has also become a repository for Eichler-specific know-how; general renovation information; and, mid-century-modern restoration tips.

It all started as joke between friends*, then became a blog, then something else. We're still here even if the project is almost complete... you might pick up something from our mistakes (and successes).

Workshop 2.0: Transition (+ Overview)

This spring, we tackled a small project that turned into a major one that was going to turn into an even more major one and then we got sidetracked... and then it was October.

Long story short, the workshop was stripped bare and reorganized.

Side deck and new uses for CaliBamboo's BamDeck

On the side of the MicroEichler, there was an under-used space that needed a purpose. I had been wanting to put either an outdoor shower or a potting area (we need to latter more than the former) and both could have benefited from a flat, even surface. It gave me the perfect opportunity to further test the new CaliBamboo BamDeck and perfect the install technique with the Camo Marksman driver. Ironically, the key to success was with a competitor's product.

[Facia still needs to be installed, but the structure and deck-top are complete...]

Tips and Tricks: A pruning blade... your spring-time best friend

 This is one I wish I'd discovered earlier, although it's been with me for a few years now. It will also make you feel like a Jedi in the yard.

• Cordless Reciprocating Saw [+]
• Pruning Blade