The ReStoration Corner

Guest Blog by Jeff Craig
University of St. Thomas Student

Signing up for college service hours somewhere in the Twin Cities? Flexible hours plus a fun and physical environment are often a student’s key objectives. These were met by signing up at the Minneapolis Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a non-profit thrift store that is located a short three mile drive west of campus and adjacent to the Midtown Greenway bike path.

With Father's Day coming up on Sunday, June 17, there may be a few of us out there scrambling to come up with ideas for dad. We've compiled a list of five of our favorite projects that require few materials and can be done in an hour or less!

June is here and that means it's time for our Customer Appreciation Sale! 

When temperatures warm, trees begin to bud, and flowers start blooming, you know it's spring. And what better way to display those gorgeous flowers than in DIY planters?

Whether you’re making a planter of your own or looking for a new way to showcase those gorgeous flowers, we've got several ideas to get those creative juices flowing. And the planters will be so eye-catching, your friends will ask you to teach them how to make one of their own!

Spring has finally sprung, and summer is right around the corner! Nothing says summer like a group of friends huddled around a bonfire or a family barbecue in the backyard. And what better way to enjoy time with family and friends than relaxing in an Adirondack chair?! They're popular and comfortable, but most of the time you buy them as untreated wood. If you want your chair to maintain its quality longer, or you want to give it a new look, here's how to paint, stain, or personalize Adirondack chairs.

Where do you go to find 20 colors of recycled paint at the attractive price of $16 per gallon? The Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore of course! But where did the ReStore team go to learn all about how to recycle paint? Just up the road from one of our own ReStore locations in Fridley Minnesota, home of Amazon Paint.

Since spring-like weather was a bit delayed, that might also mean that you've allowed your annual spring cleaning tasks to slide. Whether you're going to dedicate an entire day to decluttering your home, or you only have 10 minutes to spare, we've got some ideas to get you on your way to a clutter free home!

In late April, our ReStore team partnered with staff members from our Homeownership department to help furnish a Habitat home. The home was then open for the public to visit April 28 and 29 as part of the Minneapolis St. Paul Home Tour. 

Choosing a new exterior paint color for your house is a lot of fun! With every fresh coat, you’re customizing your home to look just the way you like it. But, there are so many different paint color schemes, and sometimes it can be tough to decide between all the options.

Don't worry! If you consider these key factors when choosing an exterior paint color, you'll find the perfect hue in no time.

Your windows should do more than let natural light into your home and provide you with a view outdoors. They should also keep warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer. If that's not the case, and they're actually letting air escape — in turn, running up your electric bill — it may be time to replace your windows. But what are some other signs it's time to replace them? Here are five ways to tell if you need to replace your windows.