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Since inventing the first airless version in 1958, the nearly 100-year-old Graco has become synonymous with paint sprayers. We tested one of the brand’s entry-level offerings, the Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer, while rebuilding a deck and creating some garden planters. Find out how this tool helped us finish our projects and the pros and cons of using it. Setup: Easier than it seems The Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer is the company’s most affordable option for sprayers in this class capable of handling larger projects....

Besides cooking, fragrant herbs plants can be used for potpourri, oils, and lotions, or just to enjoy a heady whiff as you work in the garden. Often the scent of herbs comes from their foliage and is intensified when they are crushed or broken. Planting fragrant herbs where you will brush up against them when you walk by, is an easy way of enjoying a scented herb garden.

Mattress pads, like the Hanna Kay Hypoallergenic Stretch-to-Fit Mattress Pad, are meant to protect your mattress from spills, leaks, and unwanted pests. Since dander, dust mites, and bodily fluids are only a few of the undesirables that can find their way onto your bed, this essential barrier prevents them from settling deep into the fibers of your mattress. And if the mattress pad itself gets soiled? No problem—you can throw it in the washing machine and have it back on your mattress in a matter of hours....

Keep the Bedroom Clean and Tidy Cleaning and decluttering go hand in hand. The first thing you should do is remove all unnecessary furniture from the room. As inviting as your bedroom may be, its numerous belongings may be off-putting to buyers. Make sure that nothing is on the floor or on furniture surfaces. Remove family photos, stuffed animals, the TV, and other personal items. Store small items in pullout storage drawers under your bed....

We all have our own favorite aspects of the season, as well as ones we focus on the most. While no one does everything the exact same way, our zodiac signs can give us a glimpse into our personalities and what might be important to us. Check out your zodiac sign below to see if this matches how you usually prepare for the holidays.

Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) are common and easy to find in retail outlets and greenhouses. This hardy orchid is a good choice for anyone who wants to stretch their green thumb to include an orchid or two in their houseplant collection. Other good choices for beginners include include Cattleya, Dendrobium and Oncidium. Most orchids are perennials that are hardy in their native tropical habitats, meaning that they will rebloom year after year....

An upright vacuum cleaner will cost anywhere from 50 dollars for a low-end lightweight model, to over 1000 dollars for some of the newer most advanced models. Low-End Priced A low-end upright model will have a suction hose with a crevice tool, stair brush, and extended wand piece. The lower priced upright vacuum cleaner may include a manual adjustment for the height of the carpet. At the lower-end of uprights, you will find a few models that have an additional feature, like bagless models or bagged models with a full bag indicator light....

Millions of miles of underground utility lines run beneath residential lawns in the United States. Accidentally cutting into one of these lines can disrupt vital services or even cause a fatal accident. Fortunately, there are effective ways to pinpoint the location of underground utility lines before you dig. Reasons to Call 811 Utility Marking Services Creating a garden pond Planting a tree Digging up the yard for a sewer trench Digging fence post holes Digging foundations for a deck, shed, or garage Trenching a base for an intended retaining wall Digging up parts of your lawn to install an irrigation system Trenching your yard to add conduit for an exterior outlet or light Creating trenches for drainage lines such as for French drains Adding a patio Building a carport...

Before Replacing Your Circular Saw Say you already have a circular saw, but you’re simply unsure if it’s the best saw for you and your applications. Because circular saws are so widely used and available in different models suited for a variety of specific applications (with some overlap), replacing an existing circular saw can be overwhelming. Unless your saw is outright broken, it can be hard to determine if a new or additional circular saw will truly benefit you....

Here are some tips to take care of natural fur hats and faux fur hats. How to Care for Natural Fur Hats and Trim Whether you have a mink, fox, or rabbit fur hat, proper care will make it last for many years. Natural fur hats should be protected from chemicals, including makeup, perfume, and hair products. So never apply these products while wearing the hat. After every wear, allow the hat to “rest” on a hat form to dry completely from body moisture and outside elements....

Tips for Choosing Chandelier Size in Dining Rooms The diameter of a dining room chandelier should be about one-half to two-thirds the width of the table over which it will be hanging. However, most designers are not opposed to bending the rules just a bit. “I don’t have a strict requirement on chandelier sizing,” notes Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design. “In fact, I generally prefer intentionally larger chandeliers.” Kim Coombs of KBCO Design adds that choosing a chandelier for a given room doesn’t simply come down to measurements....

However, the options for where to hang a gallery wall within a space are essentially limitless. In a living room, hanging art above the sofa is a common tactic, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Have a corner that could use a little love? Go ahead and display your art there to add a lively touch. Could the space above your desk use some pizzazz? Incorporate a gallery wall into your home office to get those creative juices flowing as you work....