Candi Collins

Rocky Face, Georgia

Occupation: Dental Hygienist and Boutique Owner

Favorite Tool: All! I love them all!

Project: Remodeled 54 year old home that had belonged to my great-great Aunt and started/decorated a store

Jane: What was your first home improvement project?

Candy: I've actually been helping my mom with home improvement projects since high school. But it was the house that I remodeled that was my biggest project since I've been an adult. It was the whole "shebang".

Jane: Why did you start doing home improvement projects around your own home?

Candy: I've always liked to do crafts, sew and stuff like that. I found people on TV that first motivated me to take on a project, then I'd just get up the nerve and try it. My dad used to travel a lot and would say every time he would come back there'd be something new in the house.

Jane: Tell us what you did to your home.

Candy: Basically, I redid my whole house. When I bought it, it was over 50 years old and had originally belonged to my great aunt. When the renter moved out, we completely re-plastered and overhauled the walls, added new cabinets, and even did faux finishes on almost everything in the house. Then we refinished the floors, enclosed the garage and took care of its uneven concrete floor. My mom and I made the entire thing into a mosaic tile floor (the guys thought we were crazy when we started but now they say that it looks great). I installed new faucets, and sinks, I even designed the shower. I wanted a shower with two heads, a bench and a pedestal sink inside of it, so I built it. Everyone said it wouldn't work but after it was all done they loved it.

Jane: What was one of your favorite projects that you've done?

Candy: That is a tough one, because my whole house is my favorite thing I've ever done. But if I had to choose just one I would have to say tiling the garage floor was one of my biggest accomplishments. It took a lot of time but it was worth it and in the end I created a very unique surface that adds to the whole room!

Jane: What is one basic principle that you use when doing home improvement around your house?

Candy: Be patient. It takes a lot of time, but just be patient and keep moving along otherwise you'll never be finished.

Jane: How has home improvement affected your life? What is the most amazing thing you get out of doing home improvement?

Candy: It has completely affected my life. I stay busy and like to be doing something all the time. Doing home improvement even led to the creation of my business. I purchased an embroidery machine and started creating beautiful things for my home. I was having fun and started even making money with my embroidery machine, selling scrubs, hand bags, and jewelry. Before I knew it, I had started a business

Jane: What is it about home improvement that inspires you?

Candy: For me it's the sense of accomplishment I get after finishing a project and of course being able to show it off! I love that sense of self pride.

Jane: What words of encouragement or advice would you give to a Jane just getting started in home improvement?

Candy: Just remember to be patient, but still work at full speed. Ignore your doubts, and trust that it will all fall into place. Even if it isn't going right, take a deep breath and know that no matter what happens, you'll be able to get through it.

Comments:

floors and painting

dedlr23 writes:

Sat, 07/22/2006 - 6:49am

Do you have any photos you could share on any or all the wood work you finished? And what did you base your wall colors on?

Wall Colors

candicollins26 writes:

Tue, 10/17/2006 - 2:44pm

I based my colors mainly on found objects that I wanted to use in the room or house and just went from that. It took lots of trial and error to get the colors or faux finish just right however but in the end it all worked great.

Rehabbing a house.

bbroomes writes:

Wed, 10/18/2006 - 2:02pm

My sister and I are rehabbing two houses at the Atlantic shore area. We began the project 2 years ago. The blueprints are done, just need a little tweeking. These two house are situated on one lot. They were formerly a seven family unit. The local municipality suggest that we deemphasize the units to a two family. That is: one single family in each house. The house to the front is huge : 3,600 sq.ft. The carriage house at the rear is about 1,600 sq.ft. There is also a free standing garage, which we completely demolished. My sister and I plan to rebuild the garage, from footings to rafters. We also plan to do a complete rehab on both buildings. We have completed the roof in the carriage house,complete with a sky light. We learned roofing by purchasing the Balck & Decker Roofing book. Fact is, we have a full library of Contractor books, from roofing to concrete counter tops. We would like to meet some Janes in our area to form a company My sister is a State registered Tile contractor. She wants to be a journeyperson and get a license electrician.I want to become a trim carpenter.We would keep you posted as the project progresses. We would like some information: from the ground up, on HVAC and the new plumbing pipe system:PEX thanks a bundle Nin from New Jersey

Featured Jane

Candi Collins

Rocky Face, Georgia

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