HGTV/DIY: Do You Donate What you Remove to a Charity?

A typical dumpster in Sunnyvale, California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My daughter and I were talking about what a poor example DIY and HGTV set for their viewers. Specifically, we were discussing the all important dumpster that shows up in front of the house and what goes into it.

She had been watching one of the DIY TV Crasher shows (Yard, Kitchen, House, etc.) and was appalled to see the enthusiastic workers throwing french doors, cabinets, sinks and lights into the dumpster so they could make a big crash when they hit all the waste buried below. Enough things were thrown away that a whole house could have been built using what they broke being destructive.

There are places that want (and need) those things. For example, Habitat for Humanity gathers all those things and either uses them to build a new house or sells them to people like you and me to raise funds for their cause. Veteran groups, Salvation Army and even the local second hand dealer can re-purpose many things and our landfills will not be overflowing with porcelain toilets and cabinets that a designer considered a little out dated.

So hear is a message for all you home improvement TV shows; please remember, people follow your example so be one worth following! Show people how they can salvage what they remove and either sell it or donate it to a good cause...please

Just a thought.

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Fall-to-Winter Decorating...RetireInStyleBlog's Way

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I don't think that bringing the season into the house is all that difficult.  In the world of interior design it seems that each seasons needs it own style or new "stuff".  Really, for those of us that live in a world dictated by finances and space, the need to be creative takes the front seat.  It is only logical.

For example, the wreath on the front door.  I know, I have seen those beautiful dried hydrangea wreaths and I have also looked at the price tag and gasped.  Most of us have a wreath from days gone by hanging in the garage, attic or in the box of Christmas decorations.  All you really need it a can of spray paint.  I had an old rose vine wreath that had shed leaves everywhere.  But, I had paid a fortune for it originally (6 years ago) and I could not think about throwing it away.  I needed to get one more season out of this beautiful piece before it went into the garbage.  Enter Home Depot spray paint department.  We were looking for a copper pipe to use for a pot rack in the kitchen and I passed through the spray paint aisle.  Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of this beautiful red/orange color in the shiniest texture ever.  On a whim I bought the paint and brought it home for the weath.  It is perfect for fall.  It will hang on the front door until Christmas and be embellished with seasonal decorations.

With a little spray paint and a lot of creativity fall can be hanging on our front door in an afternoon.

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