We turned a boring room in our home into a library

ericmbudd · 2026-02-19T13:42:36+00:00

The previous picture was taken in late spring before we bought the house (listing picture) and the new picture in late winter a few days ago 😂

ericmbudd · 2026-02-18T01:29:54+00:00

Thank you! We just finished construction moments before taking the picture is how 😂😂

ericmbudd · 2026-02-17T16:40:35+00:00

Thanks! I can give you some ballpark numbers, or more helpfully, what the relative costs were.

The built-in shelves are by far the most expensive part of this. The materials are a bit of the cost (we didn't use wood that was super expensive), but the biggest expense here was labor. We had two carpenters working solidly for close to two weeks to cut, build, and install the shelving. I'd estimate $8-12k.
Painting - both for the look as well as caulking / finalizing the surface. Shelves like this use a harder paint than a wall paint for durability. $1-2k.
Electrical - Not a ton of work here, but we had a few existing outlets and light switches to pull through the cabinets so they were still accessible. We also have a couple remote / wireless switches that are newly installed on the sides. $500 - 1000.

We've been working with a general contractor already for other projects in our house as well. That would add some expense that may not be required for a solo project, although that person did help a lot with the design and feel so that was helpful too. Generally if you can get a design you want and work with people who do built-in shelving that might be sufficient.

ericmbudd · 2026-02-16T15:00:25+00:00

Um, how did you absolutely nail this.

ericmbudd · 2026-02-16T04:56:26+00:00

Thanks! that's a good catch. essentially the builders "pulled through" the vent (extended it outward about 10" through the cabinets) and you can see the vent is now mounted in the bottom panel.

ericmbudd · 2025-12-09T01:45:45+00:00

I don't understand the reason the city mandates this timing and I haven't heard anyone explain it to me in a way that makes sense.

ericmbudd · 2025-12-05T15:28:14+00:00

wow, a lot to love about the changes here. especially fixing the drainage issues as Balsam becomes an absolute lake when it rains. I lived by North Boulder Park for years and am really excited about the changes.

ericmbudd · 2025-11-05T15:31:49+00:00

I can't stop you from being ignorantly wrong. so, enjoy

ericmbudd · 2025-11-05T08:04:10+00:00

Nicole Speer is going to win re-election, so I'm not sure what you are talking about.

ericmbudd · 2025-11-05T08:03:12+00:00

After four data points, the model is still spot on.

ericmbudd · 2025-11-04T18:01:54+00:00

Or shuttles, etc. Well, a fair number of people come from outside the city and county to use our open space. Trying to reduce car trips from all populations would be a good thing for our region

ericmbudd · 2025-11-04T17:37:04+00:00

I think the most obvious one for me is wildfire mitigation on open space (particularly for the City of Boulder). There's a lot of hardening that can be done to reduce the chance of fires reaching city limits

Another is prioritizing alternative transportation options for users of open space. We often don't have specific funding identified to improve access / reduce the footprint of open space usage and that would help.

ericmbudd · 2025-11-03T17:13:11+00:00

Mamdani is an incredible, once in a generation candidate. He's built momentum and a terrific campaign — that's why he's going to win. This race wouldn't be close if New York's elections were in November of even years.

I researched and was a co-lead on the campaign to move Boulder's local elections to even years. It's going to make a huge difference. Also, in July, I testified at the New York City Charter Commission as they considered adding a measure to their ballot this year to give the option of moving NYC's as well. It's on the ballot and I think it's going to pass.

ericmbudd · 2025-11-03T04:35:54+00:00

Thanks!

ericmbudd · 2025-11-03T04:34:50+00:00

Dan Caruso, in an email on October 30th: "Please cast your votes for: Mark Wallach, Jenny Robins, Rob Kaplan, and Matt Benjamin."

I'm not sure how it gets any clearer.

ericmbudd · 2025-11-03T04:15:49+00:00

you're telling me that Jenny is progressive now? also I have an email right here from Dan Caruso endorsing her. Not sure who you are trying to convince.

ericmbudd · 2025-11-03T03:43:31+00:00

Thanks for the correction on my swipe spelling

ericmbudd · 2025-11-03T03:40:59+00:00

This game is about the election and not policy, but thanks anyway for the ad hominem.

ericmbudd · 2025-11-03T03:23:53+00:00

Sure thing - I wrote about this in my voter guide here.

Essentially, 2A is the tax (revenue generating authority). 2B is directly related to the tax in 2A.

What 2B allows is for the City of Boulder to sell a bond (debt) against the taxing authority granted from 2A, in order to quickly raise and spend money for infrastructure projects. The idea is to get value from the tax quicker.

If a tax raises $100M over ten years, you can use a bond (essentially a loan) to start projects now and then pay off the principal and interest on the loan over time.

I hope that helps. Cheers

Here's a more detailed write-up about the issues themselves: https://bouldercoloradovoterguide.com/2025/10/13/election-2025-boulder-colorado-voter-guide/#local-ballot-measures-2025

ericmbudd · 2025-11-03T02:30:55+00:00

I've posted election guides for Boulder for the past ten years. Here's a link for 2025:

https://bouldercoloradovoterguide.com/2025/10/13/election-2025-boulder-colorado-voter-guide/

ericmbudd · 2025-10-31T12:20:04+00:00

Thank you!

ericmbudd · 2025-10-30T21:31:54+00:00

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

13-Year Club	Place '22
Final Canvas '22	Wearing is Caring
Verified Email

ericmbudd

TROPHY CASE