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Make Simple Updates: Decluttering and Cleaning When preparing for an open house, make useful updates such as decluttering kitchen cabinets and bedroom closets. Some upgrades are more valuable to buyers than others and they are the ones you should focus on. Declutter, depersonalize, and clean. Clutter causes buyers to focus on things that aren’t important and makes a home seem small (since it has many items). Get rid of unused items or donate them....

Here’s how to store dishes and other items in your kitchen. Store appliances you use daily on the counter and weekly in bottom cabinets. Store appliances you rarely use in a storage space, like a pantry. If you have enough height in your lower kitchen cabinets, store them upright. This means storing them on their side to maximize space in your cabinet or pantry. A few options are a tray divider or a rack....

Summer clothes are usually made from lightweight, sheer, and more delicate fabrics. Many fabrics wrinkle easily, but there are ways to store your summer clothes (even your summer whites) so they’ll be ready to wear when you need them. (We’ll even walk you through knowing when to toss summer clothes that won’t make it to the next hot season.) Sort Summer Clothes Begin by sorting summer clothes into categories and putting them in piles....

Chicken brooders are available pre-built, but you can also make your own chicken brooder. Tips for Using Your Brooder Here are a few things to keep in mind if you build your own brooder or are using a pre-built brooder: Baby chickens need at least one square foot of space per chick. A part of that space is fine for a few weeks so you can move them into a larger space as they grow....

When placed in the hands of an experienced framer, a framing nailer can turn a week-long job into a day-long one. Furthermore, a framing nailer is an even handier tool for inexperienced builders and DIY enthusiasts, as learning to efficiently use a hammer and nail can take years of practice on the job (and several mashed fingers along the way). Pneumatic Framing Nailer vs. Electric Framing Nailer Parts of a Framing Nailer Listed below are the main exterior components of a framing nailer (note that some components will vary between manufacturers and models):...

In feng shui, we look at the elements of nature, like plants and flowers, to offer meaning and benefit in our homes. Flowers have always been especially meaningful symbols as they offer beauty, fragrance, and sweet nectar to the environments and creatures around them. The peony is one of the most auspicious flowers in feng shui and has come to symbolize love, prosperity, and beauty. Peony Symbolism and Meaning in Feng Shui Peony plants have uniquely beautiful blossoms....

How to Care for Allo Clothes Allo may be a fiber that is unfamiliar to Americans but it is a staple in Eastern culture. Allo, also known as Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia), is a tall, stout herb. The bark is harvested because the fibers are strong, smooth and light in weight. The fabrics made from allo are naturally antibacterial and mold resistant. When the fibers are processed and woven, the fabric has a natural sheen....

What Is an Insulated Screwdriver? An insulated screwdriver is a specially designed tool that has a tough, non-conductive plastic cover over its shaft and handles. Only the tip of an insulated screwdriver is exposed. The insulation protects the user from the possibility of touching live parts of a circuit and the grounded walls of the box or other equipment. By having the shaft of the screwdriver protectively coated with a non-conductive material, it is safe to hold the screwdriver’s shaft for balance....

Japanese Garden Principles Before understanding what not to do in a Japanese garden, here’s a quick review of the guiding design principles of the Japanese garden style. The following elements: asymmetry, balance, and serenity, are your best guidance. Be purposeful but avoid cliché. Natural materials: Choose raw materials that make sense in the scene; do not mix elements like river rocks with desert rocks. Organic shapes: Waves and swirls are nature’s way of design; steer clear of corners, harsh edges, and blockiness....

Different mattress types also have different expectations when it comes to effective lifespan, but opinions vary, depending on who is providing the rating. Predictably, organizations serving the mattress industry suggest replacing mattresses rather often, while other studies show that some good quality mattresses can last 15 years or even more. Innerspring Mattresses Innerspring mattresses are those constructed with steel coil springs inside, often with topper layers made of various foams and fibers....

Those living near Los Alamos, Texas, are particularly in luck, as that Lowe’s location will be the first store in the nation to offer a one stop shop for both humans and pets, literally—furry friends have long been allowed inside Lowe’s stores. By the end of March 2022, we’ll see 14 more stores in Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina that feature a special, newly added pet section. Humans, with their pups in tow, can pick up pet essentials at these retail locations, ultimately cutting back on the need to make multiple shopping trips....

Lucky Bamboo and Chinese Traditions According to Chinese traditions, the significance of lucky bamboo is tied to how many stalks you have. There are different meanings associated with various lucky bamboo arrangements. For example: Two stalks represent love.Three stalks represent Fu (happiness), Lu (wealth), and Soh (long life).Five stalks represent balance, peace, harmony, and power in all areas of your life.Six stalks represent good luck and wealth.Seven stalks represent good health....

Here are some common materials used for water supply pipes. If you have a pre-1960s house, you could still have galvanized water lines in your house. Galvanized piping has a functional life of about 40 years, according to home inspection agencies. If your galvanized steel plumbing system is approaching that age, an upgrade is probably advisable. If the pipes are still in good condition, hardware stores carry a variety of fittings and can cut and thread galvanized pipes to match your needs....

Growing 12 to 18 inches tall, each plant has a single stem with one or two large, heavily divided umbrella-like leaves. Plants with two leaves may produce a large white flower with six to eight petals in early spring, though the flower is usually hidden beneath the leaves. The flowers give way to a single greenish fruit that turns golden when ripe. Plant seeds or divide in early spring or fall; be patient with the seeds or divide to enjoy a fast spread of ground covering....