BOB VILA WEBSITE TO GIVE VOICE TO HOME IMPROVEMENT ENTHUSIASTS WITH NEW “MYPROJECTS” ZONE THAT HOUSES PERSONAL PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND IDEAS


 
LAUNCH COINCIDES WITH NEW SEASON OF “BOB VILA” NATIONALLY SYNDICATED SERIES


 

NEW YORK, NY (November 1, 2006) – Think about it as a MySpace for home do-it-yourselfers! BobVila.com, one of the Internet’s most-visited and longest-running home improvement websites, has launched a “MyProjects” site that allows users to incite communication with one another through the sharing of ideas, photos and videos in a blog area. This has been created in conjunction with the new season of the “Bob Vila” nationally syndicated series.
 
“MyProjects” was developed on BobVila.com as a response to the ever-increasing community of people who frequent the site, use digital photography, and has access to broadband connections to the Internet.
 
All Internet users can view user created projects on BobVila.com; newcomers can register and create their own online project diary by visiting http://www.bobvila.com/MyProjects/ .

“MyProjects” on BobVila.com has two key purposes:

 

  1. how-to/step-by-step instructions for projects from experts and homeowners, everything from cutting off installing garden lights to replacing a thermostat, and much more,

  2. users can show off their personal projects, which offers a voyeuristic appeal, while educating other visitors on techniques, ideas, and tools.
     


“This new interactive area is a logical extension to BobVila.com’s popular bulletin boards, which has archived over 500,000 postings,” says Bob Vila. “I’m very proud of this section of the site, since it allows frequent visitors to the site to share and exchange projects that can spur education and interest in doing it yourself around your own home.”
 
BobVila.com also offers the latest on home-based renovations and trends, through the site’s first blogs: “On the Level” details contemporary takes on tested products, building practices, new trends in renovation, technology upgrades, and tools, and “Flash Focus” reports on all of the newest ideas on storm-ready design from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH).
 
The “On The Level” editorial team regularly posts new entries offering expert views of what’s cool and what works – as well as what’s just hype and what falls flat, while “FLASH Focus” is an extension of BobVila.com’s expanded package on Storm-Ready Design, focusing on how buildings can be constructed better to save people, pets, and property.
 
In its new fall season, “Bob Vila” enhances its programming format with multiple building projects and four compelling story arcs — all of which will be detailed in-depth on BobVila.com. The series introduces a new technology for building an affordable storm-ready home in the Gulf Coast made from recycled shipping containers, and tackles three home improvement projects that focus on ways to transform and adapt existing space to suit the changing needs of families through all stages of life — from making room for a first baby, to finding space for growing kids with a basement remodel, to helping the multi-generational family by creating a retirement suite for an aging Grandma.
 
 
About Bob Vila
BobVila.com, created by author/home improvement expert Bob Vila, ranks as one of the top home improvement sites on the web. It aims to assist people at every stage of the building and remodeling process and provides homeowners with end-to-end solutions for transforming their houses into dream homes via the Internet. Visitors to the site can stream video clips from 15 years of informative and entertaining Bob Vila programming, as well as clips from the current season of Bob Vila. It also features themed channels with essential articles and extensive how-to content devoted to topics, such as: House Plans, Fireplaces, Storm-Ready Home, Finance, Paint & Wallpaper, Roofing & Siding, Deck, Porch & Patio, Electrical & Wiring, Workshop, Heating & Cooling, Kitchen Design, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Lawn & Garden and Appliance Repair & Shopping.
 

Bob Vila is the host of the nationally syndicated Bob Vila television series. One of the country’s best known authorities on home improvement, Vila has been an on-air personality for 26 years.  He is also the author of eleven books, including the five-volume Bob Vila’s Guide to Historic Homes of America, and his latest, Bob Vila’s Complete Guide to Remodeling Your Home.