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Before you get started, you’ll need to choose where you want to install your entertaining space. Consider a swath of level ground that doesn’t visually affect the flow of your backyard or impede natural traffic patterns. Once you’ve chosen a location, use the following tips to design your new tropical-inspired entertaining space. Customize the Bar by Building it Yourself If you’re adept at using an air compressor and framing nailer, one way to create an impressive centerpiece that fits perfectly in your outdoor entertaining space is by building the actual tiki bar yourself....

7 Styles of Built In Bookshelves 1. Library Style Bookcases arranged to form a passageway and united with flat trim create a mini library, complete with a rolling ladder that beckons young readers to hunt for a good book on the topmost shelves. Designer Bret Franks came up with the idea as a way to add old-house character to a new farmhouse with a completely open first floor beyond this office space....

What is Wood Ash Good For? We may not burn as much firewood as we used to, but ash is still a great raw resource with a variety of benefits and uses around the home. Here are 8 ways you can use fireplace ashes around your home and garden. 1. Amending Soil and Boosting Your Lawn Wood ash can be used to boost the pH of your lawn’s soil quickly—faster than limestone, since the ash is more water soluble....

Dr. Ted Myatt, ScD, senior scientist with Environmental Health & Engineering and the University of Rhode Island, recommends keeping your home’s humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent. “A lot of the info about furniture, artwork, and stamp collections is based on guidance geared toward museums,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean the antique furniture I have in my home isn’t just as valuable to me as what might be in a museum....

What is the purpose of wainscoting? A combination of decorative boards or panels and moldings that extend partway up a wall’s face, wainscoting is a centuries-old marriage of form and style. Dating to the 1300s, the Dutch used it to shield the bottom half of plaster walls from such hazards as jostled chairs, spurs on riding boots, perhaps even carelessly swung scabbards. Wainscoting still guards our walls, but today it’s from dirt-caked gardening shoes in mudrooms, olive-oil fingerprints in kitchens, and the inevitable scuffs in the close quarters along hallways and stairways....

New Faces and Famous Guests (2003 – 2012) Milestones and More (2014 – 2021) Favorite Moments from the Cast After 20 television seasons and more than 1,000 house calls, what are some of the episodes that really hit home for the Ask This Old House team? We asked, they answered.

Save on Security: Blink and Ring Deals You can help protect your home this holiday season with these doorbells and indoor cameras from Blink and Ring. The outdoor security cameras are great for those who want to keep a better eye on what’s going on on their front porch to monitor package delivery and potential home invaders. The indoor cameras are an excellent choice for those looking to keep an eye on a pet while away from home or for an extra level of security once the baby goes to bed....

Top 5 Handheld Shower Heads Best Combination Head: AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo Best Two-in-One Shower Head: Delta Faucet H2OKinetic Handheld Shower Head Best Water-Saving Head: Hopopro Six-Function Handheld Shower Head Best For Small Showers: AquaDance High-Pressure Handheld Shower Head Best Filter Head: PureAction Luxury Filtered Shower Head Best Combination Head: AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo This combo pack features a large overhead shower head that mimics the feeling of falling rain and a smaller handheld shower head attachment....

If you’re looking for a home warranty in San Antonio, we have some recommendations for you. These companies are all trusted nationwide providers with the resources and experience to back up their residential service contracts. Top 4 Home Warranty Companies in San Antonio The highest-rated home warranty companies in San Antonio include: American Home Shield: Best Overall Choice Home Warranty: Best Basic Plan Liberty Home Guard: Most Responsive First American Home Warranty: Best Appliance Coverage...

Looking for a simple way to make your bedroom more eco-friendly, or want a sleep space that’s allergen-free? It may be time to replace your bed with one of the best latex mattresses available. Bedding products made with organic latex (that is, materials made from a rubber tree) represent some of the safest, cleanest, and most environmentally friendly options available today. Latex is a comfortable and increasingly affordable solution for those who want to avoid beds made with artificial chemicals....

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As This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers shows, in just one weekend you can turn a swath of dirt into a ribbon of elegance, able to withstand anything from a winter gale to a summer lawn mower. Brick Path Layers: An Overview Creating a successful path that can survive the elements depends on three things: the bricks, the border, and the base. For the bricks, choose ones that are rated for severe weather (SW), often referred to as “clay pavers....

With its deep seat, tall back, and wide armrests, there’s arguably no more restful spot to while away a long summer’s day than an Adirondack chair. Little wonder that these seats are a nearly ubiquitous feature on lawns across the country this time of year. Adirondack Chair Overview As its name implies, the chair’s early-20th-century design originated in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Its signature details­—the angle of the back, and the slope, depth, and curve of the seat­—contribute to its unparalleled comfort....

TP-Link Tilt Security Camera If you missed this deal, here are some other great sales on security cameras: Best Motion Tracking: Kasa Smart 2K Security Camera Best For Outdoors: TP-Link QHD Security Camera Best Two-Way Audio: Kasa Indoor Camera OXO Brew 9 Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker To compare Cyber Monday sales, here are some other offers on coffee makers: Best High-End: Café Bellissimo Semi Automatic Espresso Machine Best Value: Proctor Silex FrontFill Drip Coffee Maker Best For Cold Brew: Goodful Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker...