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We follow Kevin O’Connor as he takes us to the workshop of Decatur Maker’s VP Char Miller-King, where she helps him build a shaker-style table. After showing Kevin how she simplifies the complicated aspects of the project (tapered table legs and drawer joinery!), the two build a table from walnut that is truly special. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Certain aspects of furniture building are intimidating. Tapering legs with any degree of accuracy, building and attaching drawers, and creating tabletops make newer woodworkers nervous....

Any old fence will cordon off a space. But a handsome design built from cedar parts also boosts curb appeal, which can’t be said of even the finest chain link. And though cedar is pricey, sleeving pressure-treated 4×4 posts in 1× cedar instead of paying for solid 6×6 cedar posts cuts costs. Save even more by reserving clear cedar for prominent areas and using common cedar in places where its imperfections won’t show....

Watch as carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps out a couple who want to replace their laminate kitchen countertops with butcher block. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time What is the Best Wood to Make a Butcher Block? Butcher block is made from slices of wood that are all glued together into thick slabs, made to withstand heavy daily use. They can be made from nearly any wood, but Nathan chose maple as this is most popular for butcher block counters because it is hard and durable....

I’m updating my workshop and building these shelves as a sturdy option for paint and stain cans, but these could be used anywhere you need strong, sturdy deep shelves. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time I’m using strips of leftover ¾-inch plywood to create 4-foot-long shelves. I made two sizes, one to fit quart paint and stain cans and another taller and shallower size to fit spray paint cans. The full cut list is below....

Top 5 Extension Cords Key Features Available in orange or green Available in 15-, 20-, 50-, 75-, and 100-foot lengths Has one three-prong outlet Supports 10 amps What Customers Are Saying Customers liked the flexibility of this cord, as it allowed them to bend the cord without it kinking or breaking, and they also liked the cord’s reach. However, some customers expressed concerns about how hot the cord got, saying that it might have caught fire if they continued using it....

Best Cordless Mower: Greenworks Cordless Lawn Mower Cordless mowers are convenient, as they offer all of the benefits of corded models—quiet operation, no emissions, and lightweight build—without the limited reach. This particular model offers a 60-minute runtime, seven grass height adjustments, and three clipping disposal methods. Key Features Cordless design 60-minute runtime 21-inch cutting deck Seven grass heights 74.1 pounds Four-year warranty What Customers Are Saying Customers who were pleased with this mower said that it was maneuverable, quiet, and powerful....

In 2018, the Census Bureau reported that the Dallas-Fort Worth area had the largest population increase of any metropolitan area in the U.S. This growth is projected to continue through the end of the 2020s, so if you’re moving to Dallas, you’re not alone. Naturally, you’ll want to find the best moving companies in Dallas, TX, to make sure everything arrives at your new home safe, sound, and on time....

Unless you have a walk-in attic, chances are that your attic access is some sort of trap door in the ceiling, likely fitted with a set of fold-down stairs. And even if your attic is insulated (and it should be), chances are that the trap door itself is not. That’s a problem. There’s nothing to stop that expensive climate-controlled air—heated in the winter, cooled in the summer—from escaping through the trap door....

Gorgeous Flared Eaves “The level of craftsmanship really gets your attention at this house,” says TOH host Kevin O’Connor, who was particularly taken with the swooping roofline. “That curve took extra effort, and it’s a beautiful flared detail.” ROOF: DaVinci Roofscapes SHINGLES: SBC Cedar Entry Lighting Carriage-house lanterns with strong, clean lines greet visitors at the arched entrance. WALL SCONES: Circa Lighting Detail-filled Garage The garage repeats many of the house’s Craftsman-style details: a curved roof, a central gable, exposed brackets, and a textural mix of siding materials, with cedar shingles above manufactured-stone veneer....

Top 5 Window Air Conditioners Best for Small Rooms: Midea EasyCool Window Air Conditioner Most Powerful: Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner Best Smart Model: GE Smart Window Air Conditioner Best Design: TOSOT Window Air Conditioner Most Versatile: Koldfront Window Air Conditioner Best For Small Rooms: Midea EasyCool Window Air Conditioner This compact model has a three-in-one design that provides homeowners with air conditioning, dehumidification, and fanning to keep their space comfortable....

Whether you’re installing the footing for a deck, digging the trench for a retaining wall, or building a below-grade fire pit, you need to dig a hole with a bottom that is level and flat. If the terrain is also flat, the job requires nothing more than a shovel and a measuring tape. But on sloping ground, you also need a stake and a string level to help guide your digging....

Want to offer your guests a good night’s sleep but don’t want to dedicate a room to be used solely as a guest room, especially if it’s a small space? Then a Murphy bed may put this question to rest. Murphy beds, which fold up into a cabinet when not in use, are named for their inventor, William Murphy, and were first patented more than a century ago. Murphy beds can be purchased as full units—or, with the necessary wood and hardware, you can build your own....

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to patch plaster. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for patching plaster walls Measure area of plaster wall that’s loose or damaged and needs to be replaced. Cut a drywall patch slightly larger than the damaged wall section. Hold drywall patch against plaster wall, and mark its outline with utility knife. Using a utility knife, score the plaster along the patch outline....

Tom Silva teaches Kevin O’Connor all about woodpecker damage. After explaining the different types of holes that woodpeckers make (and why they make them), Tom goes through his best tips for repairing existing damage. Tom even explains some convention (and not-so-conventional) options for keeping woodpeckers at bay. Types of Woodpecker Damage Woodpeckers can do lots of damage, and it’s helpful to be able to identify the type of damage. Large holes bored into the sides of the home are typically for nesting, so if the hole seems large enough for a bird, there’s a good chance they’re trying to make your home their home....

Steps for Revitalizing Your Lawn: Aerate the lawn using a core aerator. Make passes up and down the lawn and then do perpendicular passes. Sprinkle roughly ½” of compost on top of the lawn. Use the back of the rake to work the compost down into the holes made by the aerator. Put the fertilizer in the spreader and apply it to the lawn. Put grass seed in the spreader and apply it to the lawn....

Of all the working parts in a kitchen, the faucet might be the one we use the most. According to the EPA, each American uses an average of 88 gallons of water a day, and a lot of it is to wash hands, rinse off produce, fill the tea kettle, or simply get a glass of water. Today, these workaholic fixtures come in a wider variety of price points than ever before....

This article appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Nothing extends a more cheerful welcome than opening the door to reveal an expanse of uplifting, unexpected color. And nowhere is it more surprising than overhead—and with a gleaming, lacquer-like look. Take the cantaloupe-colored “fifth wall” just inside the front door of this Nantucket, MA, cottage, selected by Connecticut interior designer Lee Ann Thornton....

Most Thorough: Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner This washing machine cleaner has a two-step process. You pour the packet of powder into the machine before running a normal cycle with hot water. Afterward, you wipe any remaining grime with the included wipe. Its biodegradable formula uses citric acid to eliminate odors and break down grime. Key Features Eight packets and wipes Lemon scent Ammonia-, bleach-, quat-, and formaldehyde-free ingredients What Customers Are Saying Though it included more steps than other washing machine cleaners, customers said that this product was easy to use....

Top 6 Tankless Water Heaters Best Electric Flow Rate: Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater Best Indoor Gas Model: Rinnai Indoor Tankless Hot Water Heater Best Outdoor Gas Model: Rinnai Outdoor Tankless Hot Water Heater Best Medium Capacity: EcoSmart ECO 18 Electric Tankless Water Heater Best Small Capacity: EcoSmart ECO 11 Electric Tankless Water Heater Best Temperature Readout: Rheem Tankless Electric Water Heater Best Electric Flow Rate: Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons ✔ Outfitted with memory settings✔ Provides silent operation✔ Has an advanced flow control function that keeps water temperature consistent while it’s in use...

Steel metal siding isn’t new; it’s been around for almost 100 years. But thanks to a host of innovative improvements, there’s been a resurgence of interest in this surprisingly beautiful, durable, and environmentally friendly alternative to fiber cement, vinyl, and wood. If you’re thinking of enhancing your home’s curb appeal, here are 10 reasons steel siding from Quality Edge should be high on your list. No. 1: Versatile Mix-and-Match Profiles Whether you’re looking to give your classic farmhouse a refresh or want to build your own new-construction contemporary home, Quality Edge has a steel siding profile to help you get the look you want....