BUILD
PAINT
CLEAN
MAINTAIN
USE
DESIGN
INSTALL
CHOOSE
GROW
Solved! What to Do About Ants in the Kitchen
Q: I squashed an ant on my kitchen countertop this morning only to spot more circling the sink. Where did all of these ants in my kitchen come from? More importantly, how do I get rid of them?A: House ants—common...
All You Need to Know About French Polishing
If you’ve ever admired the extraordinarily glossy finish on an antique piece of wooden furniture or a wooden instrument such as a guitar or violin, you're likely looking at wood finished with the French polishing...
5 Smart Ways to Use a Slab of Concrete
Concrete, that durable, go-to material for foundations and footings, also deserves a place in your home's yard—and we don't just mean in a driveway or sidewalk. Whether you're trying to support something heavy or...
So, You Want to... Paint Your Window Trim
Whether you have just installed a new window or you’re updating your home’s colors, indoors or out, your project will most likely involve painting window trim. After all, how better to accentuate the new look tha...
How To: Clean Bronze
Durable and resistant to water corrosion, bronze has a lovely, warm glow shown off to perfection when crafted into jewelry and such household décor accents as cabinet hardware, vases, and candlesticks. Over time,...
Solved! The Magic Number for Coats of Primer
Q: I’ve given in to my daughter’s request to paint her bedroom pink. Is primer required for a job like this, and if so how many coats of primer should I use?A: Although paint might initially stick to an unprimed ...
5 Keys to Choosing the Right Size Shed
When the time comes to buy a backyard shed, size is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Surprisingly, the answer to “How big?”—or “How small?”—isn’t simple or cut and dried. Of course, you’ll need to...
The Fastest (and Most Foolproof) Way to Install Fence Posts
Good fences start with good foundations. Installing fence posts in place with concrete is the best way to guarantee that they remain upright and unmoving, but you might not relish the idea of mixing batch after ...
Solved! The Rules for Painting Over Oil-Based Paint
Q: I’d like to repaint my kitchen cabinets, which had been done with oil-based paint. Must I use oil-based paint for the project, or can I use up some water-based paint I have left over from another job?A: You’re...
The Dos and Don’ts of Wet Sanding Drywall
When it comes to interior walls, drywall has a lot going for it. It’s inexpensive, fairly easy to install and repair, and holds up well to life in the average household. But drywall requires fairly extensive sand...
