History of Bidets Invented by the French in the 1600s, bidets are widely accepted in Europe, Latin America, and Japan. But, they have become more popular everywhere else recently. Plumbing Requirements for Installing a Bidet To install a separate bidet in your bathroom, you will need: Two 3/8” shutoff valves (hot and cold) 1-1/4” drain stub-out (in the wall or floor) 1-1/4” P-Trap Backflow preventer (air gap or vacuum breaker)...
Nonbreakable Tumblers Keep track of who’s drinking what with Zak Designs’ brightly hued melamine glasses that won’t break—no matter how rowdy the action gets. $25 for six; amazon.com All-Weather Music Player Thanks to a splash-proof rubber case, this iPod-compatible clock radio delivers hi-fi sound, rain or shine. $200; tivoliaudio.com Ice-Cream Keeper Prevent your favorite pint from melting to mush by bringing it outdoors in an insulated melamine tub that features a lid with a freezable gel pack....
Bumping out, adding on—big changes like these can really blow a budget. So it was a given when Rachel and Chad Alcorn renovated the kitchen in their 1928 Tudor-style home in Glen Ellyn, IL, that they would not be adding square footage or moving walls. “We wanted to add storage, prep surfaces, light, and a more open feel, but we didn’t have unlimited funds,” says Rachel. Also key: retaining treasured original details, including a trio of casement-style sink windows and a dining nook with an arched opening....
2. SUREswivel 360-degree Swiveling Pet Tie-Out 3. Cube Key Finder Smart Tracker Bluetooth Tracker for Dogs 4. K & H-Thermo Snuggly Sleeper Dog Bed 5. ECOVACS DEEBOT N79 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner 6. Furbo Dog Camera 7. Pet Qwerks Blinky Babble Ball 8. Le Dogue Silicone Dog Paw and Bone Molds 9. K9 Sport Sack 10. PetSafe New Wall Entry Dog and Cat Door
Need more Norm in plaid? You got it. Want to ask Richard a question about your plumbing situation? No problem. Need to reference a project Tommy finished in a past episode from a decade ago? It’s possible. Whether you’re already a member or thinking about joining, here are ten ways you can get more out of being a This Old House Insider. Binge any season you want from your mobile and connected devices....
Similar to shown: Taiwan bamboo poles, about $9 each; Bamboo Fencer. Instead of a custom shade, use a drop cloth. The rectangular Workforce canvas drop cloth has a water-resistant backing in case of rain, about $20; The Home Depot Perk Up a Picnic: Multitasking Kitchen Set A major upgrade over the picnic blanket—and infinitely more comfortable for long lunches—your familiar table and chairs will seem fresh and new when moved into the light of day....
As the literally in-your-face aesthetic statement of your kitchen, cabinets shouldn’t make you wonder “What were we thinking!?” when you grab your coffee mug each morning. In your research stage, as you peruse ornate millwork, unique textures, and bold colors, take a breath and consider the options here, all likely to retain their appeal for a good while. Classic Kitchen Cabinets Styles With one of these timeless-not-trendy cabinet styles, you’ll be less apt to wince when you enter your kitchen—and more secure about your home’s resale value should you someday choose to put it on the market....
DIY Giant Yard Games Jumbo Jenga The rules are minimal, but the suspense and excitement are maximum fun! These jumbo Jenga blocks are perfect for a summer night in the neighborhood. A Backyard Built for Playing Games For the full tutorial, visit Lemon Thistle. Four-in-a-row Having this four-in-a-row is a great go-to for casual entertainment at a party. Plus, it all begins as a great family project with some carpentry for the adults and painting for the kids....
I worked with some amazing people in the field from 1978 until 1992, and while I learned a lot from them, I should have paid more attention to how they did things. The best of them never took shortcuts, but I sometimes did, (even when I knew better). Here are eight I took but shouldn’t have: 1. Never Sharpening Your Tools Mark Fortenberry started every day with his stones and oil can....
Not every homeowner welcomes backyard sightings of bobcats and gray foxes. Nor do many make a habit of eating lunch while watching monarch butterflies lay eggs in potted milkweed plants. A Garden Sanctuary From the start, Diana set out to create a serene natural setting—“a house inside a garden,” as she describes it. Perched on a terraced hillside in Santa Cruz, California, with sweeping views of Monterey Bay, her house defies its suburban setting, its garden enclosed by mature trees and packed with fragrant flowers handpicked to lure birds and other pollinators....
Try reaching Joyce Hannaford in peak growing season and you may get nowhere. “I don’t take my phone with me anymore,” she says of her forays outside. “The last time, I left it in Zone 12—luckily before the sprinklers kicked on.” Wondering where that growing zone is on the map? Turns out Joyce has subdivided her own third-of-an-acre yard into a dozen irrigation zones fed by an automated system hooked up to a 150-foot-deep well....
How Much Does it Cost to Replace Kitchen Cabinets? The average cost of stock or semi-custom kitchen cabinets ranges between $160 and $380 per linear foot, with fully custom options averaging $700 to $1,000 per linear foot. To get a better idea of your potential outlay for full cabinet replacement, note that the average cost of materials and installation of stock or semi-custom styles ranges from $3,200 to $8,500 with the average for custom versions ranging as high as $12,500 to $18,100....
