As the focal point of a house’s interior architecture, a staircase is the primary mood-setter, a place where a homeowner can announce his or her individual style, whether it’s the whispered elegance of Early American details or the bold strokes of Victorian excess. The quickest and easiest way to make a design statement is by tweaking the decorative elements—the handrail or banister, the vertical support balusters, and the anchoring newel post at the base, all together called the balustrade—that give a stair its identity....

Before: Outdoor furniture was plunked down on grass that ran right up to the French doors lining the back of the house. 42 Ideas for the Perfect Outdoor Space After: The doors now open onto a bluestone terrace that overlooks the rest of the property, where This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook has carved out pathways and planting beds that he fills with a mix of annuals and perennials....

What is a Sliding Compound-Miter Saw? Sliding compound-miter saws will work just like chop saws, but because their blades move back and forth on horizontal rails, they also can slice stock up to 15 inches wide in one stroke. In the years since Hitachi first introduced theirs in 1988, these sliding-head saws have undergone numerous refinements and upgrades, and now, with the availability of cordless versions, they’re even more useful for home-remodeling projects....

For relatively little investment, we gain a major asset. And a new patio is one of the most DIY-friendly home improvement projects you can think of. If you can lift and kneel and persevere, you can probably put in a new patio. Or, you can hire someone to build the dream space you envision. Either way, you win. How Patios Work Building a new patio requires 4 major decisions:...

Use Bathtub Liners or Refinishing to Revitalize Your Tub But two better options are available to price-conscious homeowners with tubs in need of a face-lift: bathtub liners and bathtub refinishing. Both add years of life to an existing tub at a fraction of the cost of full-scale replacement— and in a fraction of the time. Bathtub Liners Re-Bath, a Mesa, Arizona-based company, has been making tub liners since the 1970s and today is the nation’s largest franchiser of tub-lining products, with almost 100 installers in 47 states....

This is where a home warranty is most useful. These residential service contracts cover the costs of repairing or replacing covered home systems and appliances. No one wants to face a south Florida summer without a working air conditioner. To reduce the likelihood you’re surprised by huge repair bills, we’ve compiled a list of the best home warranty companies in Miami. The highest-rated home warranty companies in Miami include:...

La Jolie Muse Ceramic Garden Planters Shop Now Gardening doesn’t have to be limited to the outdoors. With this set of two planters, your friends and family members can pot small plants, such as succulents, and keep them indoors on a counter or windowsill year-round. These pots have cylindrical and diamond shapes, a white base, and gold and gray detail, giving them a modern look. Hutzler Garden Colander Shop Now When it comes time to harvest your fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you can carry this basket around your yard and collect all of the ready-to-pick items....

In order to find the best home insurance in Philadelphia, you’ll have to do some research. There are many companies that provide coverage in the area, but they aren’t all equal in terms of coverage, reputation, and cost. Keep reading to learn more about the best homeowners insurance providers. 5 Best Home Insurance Companies in Philadelphia Here are the top five providers of home insurance in Philadelphia: Lemonade: Easiest Sign-Up Allstate: Best Coverage Options Liberty Mutual: Best Discounts Travelers: Most Experience Farmers: Most Customizable Coverage...

Bike Rack Plans Scroll and click through to view the plans for this project. Cut List Small-Medium Bike Rack 2 x 4 Base Front and Back – 2 @ 57” 2 x 4 Base Dividers – 2 @ 10” 2 x 4 Base Ends – 2 @ 28 ½” 2 x 4 Vertical Sides – 2 @ 48” 2 x 4 Angled Supports – 2 @ 39” 2 x 4 Back Top and Bottom – 2 @ 60” 2 x 4 Back Slots – 8 @ 33”...

title: “Cinch Home Services Review January 2023 " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-29” author: “Elizabeth Rhein”

During the first downpour, which went on for hours, I watched in horror as the backyard filled up. I’d always wanted a pool, but this wasn’t it. The flood was runoff from the road behind my property, which slopes down from there. I hadn’t realized until then that, basically, my place sits in a bowl. And it became all too clear in the months that followed that the flood wasn’t a one-time thing....

Shown: Activity on the second floor—snacking, studying, watching TV—centers around a sectional sofa that unfolds to a queen-size bed for overnight guests. A horizontal steel railing at the top of the stairs opens up the space and establishes its modern vibe. Teenagers want to be with their friends, and parents want to keep them close­—while giving them some independence, too. That was the case for the mom and dad who created this getaway space for their sons, 16 and 13, and, in turn, their 10-year-old daughter­....

A Word About Wood Porch floors typically have very little ventilation. In summer, hot air and sun bake the surface, while significantly cooler air is trapped underneath the floor. The opposite holds true in wintertime. This dramatic swing in temperatures, combined with moisture collecting on the underside and humidity up above, can cause wood products (and even many synthetic ones) to bow, cup, and split. All of that said, wood is comforting, beautiful, and classic....

Eliminating Household Odors For healthier ways to get rid of common odors, try these tips from green-cleaning expert Leslie Reichert. She explains how to get rid of bad smells in your house without using harsh cleaners. Lingering Fishy Aroma If your kitchen smells like the grilled salmon you cooked hours before, try this fix: Boil 2 of cups water, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and toss in a lemon peel....

How to Prepare for an Outdoor Party 1. Fix lawn problems The first thing arriving guests will notice is your lawn, so be sure to address any glaring issues before they walk the green carpet. How to Rejuvenate a Dying Lawn How to Deal With Common Lawn Problems 2. Get a lush lawn With proper care, your lawn will look great despite endless hours of barefoot traffic and blazing sun. Follow these tips from TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook on how to make your grass the greenest it can be: How to Mow a Lawn How to Fertilize a Lawn How to Maintain a Lawn Organically...

—Patricia McMartin, Winchester, VA A: Several options are available for removing iron, but the treatment varies depending on the kind of iron you have, along with other factors. If you haven’t already done so, get a water test to determine the type and amount of iron, in parts per million (ppm), as well as the water’s pH and dissolved oxygen content. The three most common types of iron in well water are: I know you’re against using a water softener, but it can be an effective and economical way to remove low iron levels—3 ppm or less—if the water’s pH isn’t too high....