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“I always wanted to have my own space and make it beautiful so I could spend the rest of my life there,” says Dabito, the design brain behind creative studio Old Brand New. Since scooping up this 1950s house near his childhood neighborhood, he’s made a character-filled place to land between trips. Browse rooms as you would a photo album: with care and the curiosity to stop and hear a story or two....

Kringle tastes best within a few days of baking, but it freezes well too. Wait to ice it until after defrosting or the powdered sugar glaze can get a bit sticky. For Shortcut Danish Pastry Dough, in the bowl of a food processor fitted with an S-blade combine the flours, granulated sugar, the yeast, and salt. Pulse several times to blend. Add the cold butter cubes and pulse 15 to 20 times or until the butter chunks are broken down by about half....

There are many different ways you can cook chicken legs and thighs, but one of our favorites for flavor and ease has to be oven baking. This technique results in a moist, juicy chicken with a crisp, flavorful outer crust that everyone in the family will love. What Are Chicken Leg Quarters? A whole chicken leg is a thigh and a drumstick in one piece. Pictured above, an entire chicken leg is also known as a thigh-drumstick piece....

How to Braise Meat These three steps are the key to braising meats of pretty much any cut or size. Some of the best meats to braise include beef short ribs or roast, brisket, pork, and lamb. Step 1: Brown the Meat Preheat the oven to 325°F (if you’re oven braising). Trim excess fat from the meat. Heat about 2 Tbsp. oil in a 4- to 6-quart Dutch oven ($50, Target) over medium heat....

A one-piece unit is the simplest shower to install, though you may have a limited choice of colors. Buy a base that’s at least 34 inches wide, checking whether it must be set in thin-set mortar or in a bed of sand or if it can simply be placed on the floor. Before you begin, prep the space by installing a drainpipe with a trap in the center of the base, as well as supply pipes, faucet, and a shower riser....

Kitchen islands with seating generally feature cantilevered countertops supported by table legs, 12- to 19-inch-deep breakfast bar overhangs, or table-style extensions. Whether the island is bar- or table-height, seating should be situated on the island’s outer perimeters so those seated can enjoy the cooking action without being in the chef’s way. An island’s seating capacity depends on the size of the island, the other functions it must house, and its location within the work triangle....

Unless the directions instruct otherwise, machine-wash window treatments on a short, gentle cycle, using cool water and mild detergent. Be careful not to overload the washing machine. Tumble dry window treatments on the low or air setting or line dry. Complete the cleaning process by ironing curtains on their reverse side. Alternately, a steamer can make quick work of stubborn wrinkles. Hang curtains from the rod and grab a ladder or chair....

Take your time with this important step. Subsequent drawings—the site analysis and the conceptual, preliminary, and final designs—all use the base map as a starting point. The accuracy of the base map makes it a dependable tool, which in turn helps ensure the success of any project, large or small. Preparing a Base Map First, obtain a map that shows the exact size and shape of your property. This may be the plat, a deed map, the architect’s or builder’s plans, or a topographical plan with contour lines showing the site’s elevation or gradations....

The box-setting jig enables you to quickly position outlets at a uniform height and with a consistent projection from the framing. You then use the marking jig to transfer the position of each box to the floor, virtually guaranteeing that you’ll never bury a box behind the drywall. The marking jig then enables you to lay out the box’s outline onto the face of the panel. Cutting the opening with your jab saw is a quick and confident process....

Dying Easter eggs with rice is one of our favorite easy kid’s Easter projects—just have an adult help with adding the dye. Once you’re done dyeing eggs with rice, display the finished eggs as part of a creative spring centerpiece or use them as part of your morning Easter egg hunt. How to Make Rice Dyed Easter Eggs Supplies Needed Ceramic eggs or hard-boiled eggsPlastic cupsDry riceFood coloring Step-by-Step Directions Follow these simple how-to instructions to color eggs with rice....

What Are Moles? Moles are burrowing insectivores. They are about 6-8 inches long and have gray to black velvety fur, slender hairless snouts, and small eyes and ears. Moles’ large front feet have long claws that dig much like a hoe. Except for breeding season in early spring, moles tend to live alone, so the multi-tunneled pattern in your yard is likely home to only one mole. Before you learn how to get rid of moles, you need to learn how they live....

As someone who has planted multiple yards in clover, I’m here to tell you that this much maligned plant is actually one of the best grass lawn alternatives out there. This tough perennial plant has a long list of pros, including the fact that it doesn’t require as much care as grass to look green and gorgeous. Here’s what you need to know to plant and grow your own clover lawn....

What Is a Huckleberry? Huckleberries are shrubs in the heath family, and are closely related to blueberries and cranberries. There are two main types of huckleberry bushes. Huckleberries in the Gaylussacia group, or genus, grow wild in the forest underbrush in eastern North America and Canada. In general, they’re sometimes called Eastern huckleberries. Their small, spring flowers form smooth, dark blue or purple-black berries held in clusters, like blueberries. The other group, Western huckleberries, are in the Vaccinium genus....

How to Hang a Gallery Wall Follow our step-by-step instructions for choosing, arranging, and mounting your gallery wall. What You Need ArtworkPencilKraft paperScissors or a crafts knifePainters tapeHammerNails or picture hangersRuler or measuring tapeLevelDouble-sided adhesive tape, such as Command strips, or adhesive hook-and-loop tape, such as Velcro Step 1: Gather Art Start by gathering an assortment of wall art. Choose items that go together but aren’t matchy-matchy. For example, build a photo wall with a bunch of family pictures or opt for frames without photos to create a wall frame collage—it’s up to you....

When to Call an Electrician While basic wiring is suitable for many DIYers, it can be dangerous and calls for extreme caution. If you’re uncertain of your ability to safely and properly wire a porch light, call an electrician or handyman to wire the fixture before placing yourself and others at risk. Installing vs. Replacing a Porch Light If you already have a porch light but are looking to upgrade, the process is similar to the steps below, only easier....

Before you begin, remove the old tiles and smooth out the walls. You’ll want a flat surface to lay your tiles on. Also make sure you’re comfortable completing the skills needed for this project, such as cutting tile, grouting, and caulking. You can expect to spend a weekend installing the tile, but total times will vary based on the size of your bathroom. Bathroom Subway Tile Ideas What You Need SandpaperAll-purpose cleanerScrewdriverPainters tapePremixed thinset mortarV-notch trowelSubway tiles (we used Daltile Finesse tiles in Bright White)Wet tile saw1/16 tile spacersMicrofiber clothGrout (we used Delorean Gray Simple Premium)Rubber floatLarge spongesLarge bucketBright white tile caulkCaulking gun...

Step 1: Place the Sheets Lay the fitted sheet on your bed, aligning the corners of the sheet with the corners of the bed. Starting in one corner, tuck the bedsheet under the mattress. Move diagonally to the next corner and repeat tucking in the sheet. Repeat for the remaining two corners. Smooth out any gaps or bunches, and make sure the fitted sheet is pulled taut over the mattress. Then lay the flat sheet over the bed so it hangs evenly on both sides of the bed....

“When I saw the BHG 2023 Color of the Year, I instantly thought of how amazing it would look in their room with the mural,” Nicole says. “The color Canyon Ridge reminded me of a sunset we saw while hiking the canyons in Utah. So I thought let’s use this to paint their ceiling and include a literal sun element with the sunburst around their ceiling light.” Here’s how Nicole created a ceiling sunburst in her kids’ room using inexpensive trim pieces from the hardware store....