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Life / 2021 Fall Home Edition


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  • Tips Before Deciding to Do a DIY Demolition

    Sep 16, 2021

    Home improvement projects can range from relatively inexpensive undertakings to complex endeavors that cost homeowners thousands of dollars. In an effort to make expensive projects more affordable, homeowners may look for ways to pitch in, and do-it-yourself demolition is a common way to cut costs. Due to geographical fluctuations in price as well as the scale of a project, it's hard to pinpoint just how much homeowners can save by doing demolition work themselves. HomeAdvisor estimates that...

  • Why Excavation Is Best Left To The Professionals

    Sep 16, 2021

    When shopping for a home, buyers often try to envision themselves living in a given property. Images of family gatherings and holidays may instantly come to mind, but prospective homeowners also may begin to envision changes they would make to a property if they were eventually to call it home. Changing an existing structure or building an entirely new home on an empty plot of land can be exciting. Such changes typically require excavation, which is a complicated process that may be necessary for projects big or small. What is excavation?...

  • Cleaning Your Car's Interior for a More Comfortable Ride

    Sep 16, 2021

    Oil changes, tire rotations and even car washes may garner the bulk of drivers' attention in regard to vehicle maintenance. But various smaller undertakings, including keeping vehicle interiors clean, are worthy of drivers' attention as well. Dust and dirt can accumulate in a vehicle over time, making for a less comfortable ride. Keeping vehicle interiors clean can make car and truck cabins more welcoming for drivers and their passengers, and such maintenance is simple and inexpensive....

  • How to Maintain Hardwood Floors

    Sep 16, 2021

    Hardwood floors have long been sought after by home buyers. In its 2019 "Remodeling Impact Report," the National Association of Realtors revealed that new wood flooring was the fourth most popular project to attract buyers. Of course, hardwood floors aren't just for buyers. Homeowners who already have hardwood floors know just how impressive these floors can be, especially when they're well maintained. Maintaining wood floors is not necessarily as straightforward as it may seem, and homeowners...

  • Design Ideas to Give Your Home a Farmhouse Feel

    Sep 16, 2021

    Farmhouse style homes are having a moment. A 2020 survey from Homes.com asked more than 5,000 adults across the United States about their favorite house style from a list that included bohemian craftsman, mid-century modern ranch, French chateau, and Tudor, among others. Modern farmhouse was the runaway winner, as participants in 42 of the 50 states indicated this simple, cozy style was their favorite. Home renovation projects can help homeowners put their own unique stamp on their homes, and such projects can be both aesthetic and functional...

  • Help Your Houseplants Survive Winter

    Sep 16, 2021

    When fall gradually gives way to winter, gardeners will expend ample energy preparing their flowers and plants for the months ahead. Plants may be pruned to increase the likelihood that they will return in full bloom come the spring, while lawns may be aerated so cool-season grasses can get the nutrients, water and oxygen they need when the temperatures dip. But what about houseplants? Do indoor houseplants need the same type of pre-winter TLC that outdoor plants need before winter arrives? As...

  • Picking Paint: What to Keep in Mind While Choosing New Colors for Interiors

    Sep 16, 2021

    Many components combine to define a home's interior. Some homeowners may be partial to certain styles, such as ultra modern or farmhouse, while others may opt for a more traditional look that cannot necessarily be categorized as one style or another. Though many homeowners may spend considerable time and devote a lot of energy to making their home embody a certain style, those who aren't willing to commit to a particular look can lean on one component to make a stylish statement all their own:...

  • A Fun Fall Treat for the Home

    Sep 16, 2021

    With fall comes pumpkins, and with pumpkins comes seeds. Here’s a few recipes for pumpkin seeds for the whole family. Pumpkin Seeds 1. Seed the pumpkin: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Using a spoon, scrape the pulp and seeds out of your pumpkin into a bowl. 2. Clean the seeds: Separate the seeds from the stringy pulp, rinse the seeds in a colander under cold water, then shake dry. Don’t blot with paper towels; the seeds will stick. 3. Dry them: Spread the seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet and roast 30 minutes to dry them out...

  • Signs of Septic System Malfunction

    Sep 16, 2021

    Estimates from various sources indicate that roughly one in five homes in the United States has a septic system. Homeowners who live in areas with regional sewage systems may not give much thought to the operation and maintenance of their wastewater and disposal system. But that responsibility typically rests squarely on the shoulders of homeowners whose homes have septic systems. Learning to maintain septic systems so they operate safely and efficiently is essential. Homeowners should know that recognizing signs of septic system malfunction...

  • Pre-Winter Perennial Pruning Pointers

    Sep 16, 2021

    Foliage and football might be two things people instantly associate with fall, but there's more to this beloved season than brightly colored leaves and action on the gridiron. Gardeners know that spring is an ideal time to plan and plant their favorite flowers and most flavorful fruits and vegetables. However, seasoned gardeners know that gardening is a year-round commitment. Pruning is one of the keys to keeping perennials coming back for years to come, and fall is an ideal time to take on this...

  • Stems, Roots, Rhizomes: Learn Your Produce

    Sep 16, 2021

    Fresh fruits and vegetables can be grown at home with relative ease. Home gardening also puts complete control into the hands of individuals who want to know how the foods they eat were grown and treated, providing a greater measure of control over their diets. A sense of pride also comes from having a thriving garden in the backyard. When gardening at home, gardeners may not know which parts of the plant are edible and which must be discarded. The following rundown can answer those questions and help people become better gardeners. Tubers...

  • Incorporating Reclaimed Wood In the Home

    Sep 16, 2021

    Homes come in many sizes and styles. But whether your home is a palatial postmodern masterpiece or a cozy farmhouse, reclaimed wood can be utilized to create an awe-inspiring interior. Reclaimed wood serves both aesthetic and practical purposes. Visually stunning, reclaimed wood also is a great way to make use of old-growth forest wood. Why is that significant? According to the United States Forest Service, just 3 percent of old-growth forest has survived into the second decade of the 21st century. Old-growth forest wood like that from...

  • 'Homegating' Hacks

    Sep 16, 2021

    Tailgating is a time-honored and beloved tradition among football fans. Such get-togethers were largely forbidden during the 2020-21 football season. Though nothing can replace the atmosphere of a stadium parking lot tailgate, fans did their best to recreate a safe experience at home for football games. “Homegates” helped fill the void for seasoned tailgaters until restrictions were lifted and parking lots once again became party central on weekend afternoons. Here are some “homegating” tips from last year: · Stay outdoors. Staying outside...

  • Clean Up Your Leaves in a Safe and Effective Way This Fall

    Sep 16, 2021

    Removing leaves from the yard is a task that homeowners must perform each fall. Thousands upon thousands of leaves can drop from a single tree. Multiply that by the number of trees on a property, and it's no surprise the task of leaf cleanup can seem so daunting. Furthermore, not all leaves are shed at the same time, so several cleanup sessions may be necessary before the last leaf is banished from the yard. Just like removing snow, leaf cleanup can be a taxing job if done by hand. For people un...

  • Pandemic Projects: The Most Popular Renovations During 2020

    Sep 16, 2021

    Spending so much time at home during the pandemic led many homeowners to spruce up their homes. According to HomeAdvisor’s 2021 State of Home Spending report, spending on home improvements increased by an average of $745 per household in 2020. In the face of travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines, many homeowners pivoted in 2020 and spent money they initially intended to use for vacations on home improvements. Though many such projects required the services of a professional contractor, others, including the most popular p...