Use outdoor walkway lights to guide guests to and from your home. Solar lights are a great choice, and they can be placed nearly anywhere. As the name implies, solar lights gather energy from the sun and use it to power lights. That being said, their light is usually a little softer than traditional systems, and on cloudy days, they may not work at all. A low-voltage system is a little more laborious but offers bright, reliable lighting....
Depending on how the pieces fit together, some jointed sidings can be fully attached by blind-nailing through a tongue or underlap that will be covered by the course above. Other types require face-nailing as well. The area where you will blind-drive the fasteners is thin, so there is a danger of cracking the wood when you drive a nail. Preempt any splits by drilling pilot holes. The extra step is worth the effort: A cracked board is seriously compromised and may allow water to seep behind....
How to Make a Cotton Drawstring Bag Supplies Needed Two fat quarters (18x22-inch pieces) of cotton fabric Scissors Sewing machine (like this Brother XM2701 Lightweight, $130, Walmart) Thread 6-inch sewing gauge Iron Ironing board Two yards of cotton cording Step-by-Step Directions With a few basic sewing skills and these how-to instructions, you can create your own drawstring bag. You should be able to complete this sewing project in under an hour....
What You Need and How to Start Metal-frame patio chair with mesh seating removedTailor’s tape measureVelcro Industrial Strength Tape2-inch heavyweight polypropylene webbingEight clampsLighterSpeedy Stitcher sewing awlSpeedy Stitcher coarse waxed thread To determine the amount of webbing needed, wrap a tape measure horizontally around the seat back to calculate the horizontal circumference. Measure the height of the seat back and the length of the seat, add together, and divide by two. Multiply that number by the horizontal circumference to determine how much webbing in inches the horizontal layers will require....
When you’re done, make this DIY pipe chair to complete your patio furniture set. What You Need (4) 8-foot cedar decking boards (See Cut List below)1" x 2" x 8’ cedar board (See Cut List)6 feet of 2-inch oak craft board (See Cut List)Circular sawMeasuring tapeSandpaperWood glueCarpenter’s squareClampsNail gun and pin nailsAllen wrench(16) 90-degree connectors (we used SteelTek)(8) T connectors(4) 24-inch pipe(2) 42-1/2-inch pipe(4) 14-1/4-inch pipe(4) 13-1/2-inch pipe(4) 12-inchpipe(2) 2-inch pipeDrill1/8 or 1/16 inch bitBonding primerSpray paint(16) 2-inch stainless-steel screws...
How to Make Homemade Fudge on the Stove Top There’s only one real secret for making old-fashioned fudge as amazing as your favorite candy shop’s fudge: It’s essential to cook the ingredients to the proper temperature to create a sugar syrup, then cool that properly to achieve the best smooth, firm, and, well, fudgy texture. Test Kitchen Tip: The steps below are required to succeed at old-fashioned fudge. Alternatively, you can omit the need for a candy thermometer and increase your chance for success using our Easy Chocolate Fudge recipe, which calls for a jar of marshmallow creme for texture and flavor and eliminates the need for special tools....
If you have yet to make a batch of homemade pesto, prepare to be amazed. Not only is the simple sauce easy to throw together, but it’s incredibly versatile. You can customize it with whichever ingredients you like to fit everyone’s preferences. Plus, if you start to think of pesto as a way to make use of the bits of herbs, cheese, and nuts you have around, then making pesto from scratch stops feeling like a special occasion food, and instead, one that helps you use things up when the fridge begins to look like it needs some attention....
How Often to Water Hydrangeas All hydrangeas love water. Their name comes from the Greek “hydra” meaning “water” and “angeon” meaning “vessel.” But how much water do hydrangeas need? You’ll know the answer once you look at the leaves. Hydrangea leaves droop when the plant is too dry, telling you they need water. The leaves also go limp in midday heat, so wait until evening to see whether they recover before you water them....
How to Make Punch This basic recipe will allow for 1 gallon of punch, which is enough for sixteen 8-ounce servings. Step 1: Make the Punch Base and Chill In a large pitcher or bowl combine 4 cups water and one 12-oz. can frozen juice concentrate from the options below. Add 1 cup sugar; stir until dissolved. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap; chill at least 4 hours. Here are some juice concentrate options you could choose from to mix with the water and sugar:...
A well-designed basement bar provides plenty of storage and a functional prep surface to mix drinks. But it’s also an opportunity to make a style statement, have fun with color, and display unique glassware and decorative items you’ve collected over the years. Our collection of basement bar ideas is filled with unique designs, smart storage solutions, and bold color choices to take happy hour up a notch. 1. Double Up on Storage If you’re working with a small space, get creative with vertical storage....
Buy It: Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 ($129, Target) Buy It: Farberware Digital Pressure Cooker ($53, Walmart) Buy It: Instant Pot Steamer Basket ($25, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Ball Mason Jars ($12, Walmart)
Buy It: Emile Henry Modern Classics 9x13 Baking Dish ($90, Crate & Barrel) Buy It: Mike’s Hot Honey ($9, Target) Buy It: Lodge 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet ($40, Crate & Barrel) Test Kitchen Tip: Select peaches that have healthy golden-yellow skin without tinges of green. The ripe fruit should yield slightly to gentle pressure.
Before you pick small kitchen wall colors, cabinet finishes, surfaces, and fittings, think about the mood you want to create, the amount of natural light the kitchen receives, and how you can distribute color to create a cohesive look. Try to limit small kitchen colors to just two or three shades (add pops of a vibrant accent color if you want to), so your small kitchen design doesn’t feel cluttered or too busy....
Test Kitchen Tip: Plan ahead and chill the focaccia dough overnight in the refrigerator. Allow it to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before continuing the process. Buy It: Wilton Nonstick Sheet Pan ($12, Walmart) Buy It: Kampot Black Peppercorns ($11, The Spice House)
Bathroom Paint Color: Kid Gloves, Benjamin Moore Bathroom Paint Color: Gale Force, Sherwin-Williams Bathroom Paint Color: Clay Pot, PPG Bathroom Paint Color: Ozark Shadows, Benjamin Moore Bathroom Paint Color: Writer’s Parchment, Behr Bathroom Paint Color: Hollingsworth Green, Benjamin Moore Bathroom Paint Color: White Dove, Benjamin Moore Bathroom Paint Color: Soft Sky, Benjamin Moore Bathroom Paint Color: Paris Romance, Benjamin Moore Bathroom Paint Color: Wrought Iron, Benjamin Moore Bathroom Paint Color: Nurture Green, Sherwin-Williams Bathroom Paint Color: Earl Grey, Sherwin-Williams
Roof Remodeling Tips Keep Up Appearances In planning your roof remodeling project, don’t forget to consider the look and style of your roofing. The average roof comprises 40 percent of a home’s visible exterior, so you want it to look good. Do an Inspection Inspect your roof from a safe vantage point using binoculars. Look for cracking, curling, and missing shingles. If your roof is made of asphalt shingles, look for areas lacking granular covering....
The easiest, most organic way to stop aphids is to knock them off the plant with a stream of water from your garden hose. Get more tips on controlling aphids. Use row covers in spring and fall to keep the pests from getting to your vegetables. Get more tips on controlling cabbage loopers. Cucumber beetles can spend the winter hiding in the vegetable garden. Be sure to clean up all dead plants and leaves at the end of the season....
