My home is a 40-year old ranch. The basement was pretty much finished many years ago. However, we seem not to have taken into consideration that the longer you live in a home, the more "stuff" you accumulate, and the areas designated for storage are not nearly adequate.

In an effort to correct the storage problem, I am considering an add-on along a paneled outside wall — a "bump-in" of sorts. I'm thinking in terms of the cupboard along the complete wall, likely about the height of a kitchen counter, with some shelving and some open spaces for the large items, all with sliding doors — likely 3-4 sets.

I'm concerned about the proper construction and whether it would stick out like the proverbial sore thumb, or if there is a way that it could be made to look like it was meant to be . . .
— Ardelle / Onalaska WI
Dear Ardelle:

Love the idea of the "bump-in."

First, I suggest a giant garage sale. I was able to rid my basement of about 90 percent of its clutter and collections over just two days last spring. What I couldn't sell I donated — and collected the deduction when I did my taxes.

If you're looking for cheap base cabinets, I'd try the ready-to-go stuff available at my local home center. I got such cabinets that make up my work benches in the shop. Solid oak faces on chipboard cabinets with drawers and hinged doors. Seem kind of cheapo, but they're holding up well. I did face the ends of them with plywood for a little extra strength and improved appearance.

I used the same cabinets in my den, but stained and varnished the red oak faces. Look great and no one's the wiser. The 36-inch cabinets I got cost $85 each four years ago. It would have cost me more to build them.

Installation couldn't be simpler. All you have to do is level them up with shims and screw into the wall studs through the build-up back edge. Frankly, it takes longer to mount the door and drawer pulls than to put in the cabinets. You probably will want to add a narrow strip of plywood as a toe kick to cover the spaces between cabinets. Takes nothing more than some wood glue and brads.

You could add wall cabinets above, or open shelves. I'm awfully fond of the vertical shelf standards that "knife" brackets snap into. That allows you to easily vary the space between shelves — and even to leave some sections out. You can find all these in various sizes at the home center, too. All you have to do is screw the standards into the studs, being careful to keep them vertical and level with each other. If necessary, you can even cut down the standards with a hacksaw.

I hope that gives you some ideas.

Handily, Steve

I do not think you should have to have a degree in engineering to put together a small piece of furniture that comes in a box.

I realize the cost goes down as the number of pieces go up. It is the old "you get what you pay for" adage at its best.

The good news: We did not have parts left over after finishing the small cabinet.

The bad news: We did have to assemble and reassemble one part because we discovered we skipped a step.

Even with that, the doors closed correctly and the drawer worked too. But it did take the better part of an afternoon.

Was it worth it? Yes.

Was it tedious and frustrating? Yes.

There must be a better way.

They don't call carbon monoxide the "silent killer" for nothing. It's odorless, invisible and toxic.

This week some Lincoln women found out just how silent and toxic it was. They got out of their house in time, but it's worth making the point again.

Put up some detectors in your home and don't skimp. Put them near a heat source that burns fuel like a water heater or furnace(at least 15 to 20 feet away). Then place one in each bedroom.

Because the gas inhibits awareness, you may realize something is wrong, but become too woozy to do anything about it. A shrill beep will come from the detector before you hit the woozy stage.

Just do it.

Maybe, lounging on the beach isn't your idea of a vacation.

You'd rather plant perennials or stroll through formal gardens in other cities.

Check out www.bedandbreakfast.com and click on the "search" button. There is an entire section on garden getaways that range from an iris festival to actually planting landscapes.

And closer to home, there is always the Tulip Festival, May 8-10 in Pella, IA.

But do plan ahead. These destination events book early. And February days are the perfect time for spring dreaming.

There is already evidence that more folks will be growing their own vegetables this season as a way to save a bit of money.

Lots of gardeners already figured this out and are in it for the taste difference, as well as the savings.

But if you need more hard numbers, Burpee has them.

They picked a couple of commonly grown vegetables and have compared the "grow your own price" to buying them in the store.

Tomatoes

From one plant, you'll get 40 to 50 medium to large fruits each season. At the store, Burpee estimates the price to be about 75 cents to one dollar each. That is a comparison of $35 to $45 per season for each plant.

Bell Pepper

One plant will give you about 10 to 15 large red bell peppers. Consider these cost about $1.50 each, so figure $22.50 per plant.

You get the idea. The numbers speak for themselves, but don't even address the ease of going to your garden to pick fresh produce.

That is priceless.