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Product Round-Up: Great Grill Gear

by , August 31st, 2012

Charcoal or gas? Beef or chicken? Veggies or fruit? There are so many decisions to make about grilling—and best of all, there are no wrong answers!

Grilling has become a year-round national pastime. Suppliers are constantly coming up with interesting and innovative products designed to create the perfect grilling experience, and last week at the New York International Gift Fair, they unveiled a plethora of new items. Here are just a few of the functional and fun new products for the ‘grillin’ gourmet’:

SPRAQHome-soapstone_griddle_outdoor_trough_grill2

Soapstone Griddle from SPRAQ Home

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Posted in Lawn & Garden | 0 Comments »

On-Campus Living

by , August 31st, 2012
Dorm Ideas

Photo: dormdesign.tumblr.com

There’s no time like college to get acquainted with beginners’ DIY projects. In most on-campus living scenarios, you’re virtually given a blank slate (in the form of a spare or even bare dorm room). People don’t want to feel as if they’re living in borrowed space, least of all during the ‘glory days’ of college, so here are some ideas on how to make yourself at home.

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Bob Vila Radio: Locksets

by , August 31st, 2012

Whether you choose a handle set, lever, or knob for your entry door, you also need a deadbolt for greatest security. Adding a deadbolt to your existing lock is a fairly easy job, but you’ll be using two keys unless you buy the lockset and the deadbolt together.

Photo: diynetwork.com

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Posted in Bob Vila Radio, Doors & Windows | 0 Comments »

Fresh Pastry Stand: New Business from Old Housewares

by , August 30th, 2012

Whether making cake stands or candles, Fresh Pastry Stand’s Deva Mirel finds inspiration in the vintage kitchen and its contents.

FreshPastryStand-DevaMirel-coins-plate-by-rosenthal

Fresh Pastry Stand's Deva Mirel holding a vintage Rosenthal "Coins" plate

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Eco-Friendly Flooring: 5 Ways to Go Green from the Bottom Up

by , August 30th, 2012

60 to 70% of the homes in the U.S. contain carpeting made from nylon, polyester, or vinyl—materials dependent on non-renewable fossil fuels. So when upgrading your flooring or finishing new space, consider one of the following five alternatives:

Eco-Friendly Flooring

Photo: DexKnows.com

Bamboo is the king of green building and design materials. Though bearing physical similarities to hardwoods, it is actually a tropical grass. And while hardwoods can take 25 to 125 years to fully mature, bamboo only takes 3 to 5. Usually, bamboo receives a 1350 rating on the Janka hardness test, a rating similar to red or white oak, but some manufacturing techniques can weave bamboo to a rating of nearly 3000—more than rock maple, hickory, or Brazilian cherry. Conveniently, bamboo can take a wide range of low-VOC stains and sealers, which makes it easy to integrate into any decor.

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Posted in Flooring & Stairs | 0 Comments »

Bob Vila Radio: Tub Caulking

by , August 30th, 2012

Even tiny gaps between your tub and the wall tiles can let enough water in to damage your walls and host mold. Since new caulking will not adhere to old, the only solution is to remove it and do over.

Tub Caulking

Photo: Popular Mechanics

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Posted in Bathroom, Bob Vila Radio | 1 Comment »

Product Round-Up: Decor for the Great Outdoors

by , August 29th, 2012

With all of the emphasis on outdoor living, it comes as no surprise that products to decorate gardens, patios, decks and porches are becoming more popular and ever more styled.

Leading suppliers of garden decor, decorative accessories, and outdoor furniture presented a wide variety of attractive options at last week’s New York International Gift Fair in New York City. New styles range from crisp and clean contemporary to weathered and rustic. Here’s a sampling of the latest looks:

NY International Gift Fair - Bird Feeder

Hanging Bird Feeder from Eva Solo

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Posted in Lawn & Garden | 0 Comments »

5 DIY Wood Wall Treatment Ideas

by , August 29th, 2012

Wood. It makes up so much of our homes, from the framing to the flooring we walk on. And it appears in all kinds of furnishings, too. But despite its prevalence, the wood in our homes is mostly covered by drywall or plaster, and then paint or wallpaper on top of that.

This is a real shame. Wood brings so much character, warmth, and natural beauty to interiors that it should be the finished wall treatment. The effect is part cabin and part library, and it’s all DIY-doable.

Here are five of my favorite wooden wall treatments, any of which you can accomplish in a weekend—in any room of your house:

momandherdrill-pallet-wall-treatment-rev

Photo: Mom and Her Drill

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Posted in How To's & Quick Tips | 1 Comment »

Bob Vila Radio: Replacing a Toilet

by , August 29th, 2012

If you’ve got an older toilet, you’re probably paying for twice the water you need for each flush. But never fear: toilet replacement is usually a simple job for the do-it-yourselfer with basic skills.

Replacing a Toilet

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Composting 101: What You Should and Shouldn’t Compost

by , August 28th, 2012
Composting 101

Photo: grist.org

The best gardeners know that compost is better than fertilizer, when it comes to providing a nutrient-rich growing environment for plants. Composting is easy and inexpensive, and anyone can do it. But for the best compost and composting experience, you need to put the best ingredients into your bin or pile. Here’s a quick list of what you should and should not compost, and why.

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Posted in Lawn & Garden | 2 Comments »

 
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