Deciding what will be in your fireplace will guide how you should frame the entire project. Not everyone chooses to use a fireplace insert, for example. Some people simply want an aesthetically pleasing place to put their space heater. If this is the case, you will want a more open look ...
6. You may choose to mount the electric fireplace either in place of the old wood-burning one or on a wall, orhire a tile expertto build you a customized surround. On the other hand, you might prefer to leave the fireplace as is, so that it will be portable and can easily be move...
Put the box in the sun. Immerse one end of the tubing in a bucket of water. Suck on the other end to fill the tube and start a siphon action. Keep the end you sucked on lower than the other and let the water trickle into another container. Use a clothespin to crimp the tube and...
I think an overall atmosphere is part of what defines cozy, too, a quality you can’t quite put your finger on, but that feeling that comes over you in certain homes. My dream for our home is that every day you feel like the leisurely Sunday afternoon nap feeling when you are here,...
The most effective way to protect your prize fruits and vegetables from raccoon attack is to put up an electric fence around your garden. In this case, an electric fence isn’t really a “fence” but a strip of electrified wire. The shock from an electric fence should be enough to scare...
If you have a fireplace you aren’t using, it’s a good idea to open the damper, stuff in some fiberglass insulation and close the damper. Tape a note to the damper’s handle warning that the chimney is obstructed. At the roof level, make sure your home is shedding water appropriately...
Domestic wind electric systems have a small turbine, similar to the size of a flag pole you might put in your yard. This is connected to a generator and inverter, among other components, that converts the kinetic energy created when the wind moves the turbine’s blades into clean electricity...
While you start that fireplace, turn the temperature up a notch, seal off your windows, and hunker down you may want to look at some tech savvy solutions. Rechargeable foot warmers are heated in-soles intended to be placed in your shoes. When you are out in the woods or skiing, these...
If you’re not sure what you want to do, you can wait to attach this one. I didn’t decide that I wanted it up in the middle until after I had put most of the ornaments on the garland. Then hook the garland around the command hook on each side of the mantel. ...
The cost to build a house is just a little over $417,000. Here’s what goes into that cost—and how to build a house you can afford.