Fixing Other Problems

Ever since we moved into the Hayley House, we’ve started playing a game that I like to call I Wonder Why?

As in:

• I wonder why the previous owners would have installed a giant claw on the ceiling?
• I wonder why the previous owners didn’t level the dishwasher when they installed new tile?
• I wonder why the previous owners glued sand on the wall of the gameroom?
• And so on.

One wonder why that’s been particularly irritating is:

I knew it was only a matter of time before I ripped a favorite towel – or my arm – while pulling a favorite towel out of the linen closet.

Something had to be done! But what?

I considered trimming the screws flush against the wall. However, I don’t own any of the proper tools for the job (nor do I want to!) and that seemed like a lot of effort. I finally decided to go old school and cover the screws with cork.

Here’s how I did it.

You will need:

• 1 can of all-purpose spray paint (I used leftover spray paint from my hair supply organizing project)
• 1 package of corks
• 1 plastic spraycloth

So that the corks looked like they somewhat belonged, I decided to spray paint them the same color as the linen closet. I call this “Avoiding Duct Tape Bob Solutions.”

Note to those who want to spray paint corks: The force of the spray will send the corks flying! You must hold them down during the painting process. Don’t ask me how I know this.

Follow-up note to those who want to spray paint corks: Krylon spray paint will only come off your fingers with mineral spirits. Buy the mineral spirits before you start painting. Otherwise, people at Home Depot will laugh at you when you go to the store for mineral spirits at the end of the project. Don’t ask me how I know this.

Once the corks have dried (you need to give them a full hour or you can rub the paint right off; don’t ask me how I know this), simply twist them on to cover the protruding screw.

It’s a simple and easy afternoon project. No more worries about ripped towels or gashes requiring stitches and tetanus shots.

And I don’t think it looks like too much of a Duct Tape Bob Solution. Do you?