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Dishwasher Hacks to Try Out 1. Skip the liquid detergent. An economy-size bargain liquid detergent may beckon you during your next shopping trip. But Coll points out that powder detergents and tablets remove food gunk more efficiently. 2. Watch your flatware placement. Take care when loading up forks and spoons. If you don’t have the luxury of a horizontal silverware tray, remember to place some of your forks and spoons pointing up and some pointing down....

—Norma Laren, Blackstone, Mass. Roger Cook replies: Freestanding stone walls are a handsome way to define and improve your property. Building them is backbreaking work, but if done correctly, the wall will last a lifetime, if not a lot longer. I like to set stones in mortar because you can’t beat a mortared wall for strength, which is important if a wall serves as seating or holds back earth. To preserve a dry-laid look, I set the stones in a mortar that’s pigmented a dark gray and then rake the joints clean....

Doors: Marvin Ultimate Creating Stone Steps Builder Jerry Effren measures a block of locally quarried natural stone that will become the steps leading from the great room’s sliding door to the front yard. The center glass slider is flanked by two identical three-bay window units that together offer sweeping views of the nearby shoreline. Sliders: Marvin Ultimate Installing Retractable Screens Workers install motorized retractable screens in the openings around the outdoor kitchen and dining area....

About $480. Buy Now RumbleStone 38.5 in. x 14 in. Square Concrete Fire Pit Kit No. 1 in Greystone This Fire Pit Kit by Pavestone is easy to assemble and includes everything you need to create a bold addition to any outdoor entertainment area. Constructed by combining RumbleStone large, medium and mini stones according to the included instructions. About $601. Buy Now 30 in. Granite Square Fire Pit Kit Durable and sophisticated, the 30 in....

Siding: Real Cedar; Exterior stain: Cabot Stain; Glass entry doors: Sierra Pacific Windows; Pavers, steps: Polycor Show-stopping stairway The spacious, airy feel of the open-plan house envelops guests as soon as they walk in the door. Immediately upon entering, they encounter one of the home’s most dramatic features: a two-story vaulted stairwell. “I love seeing people’s reactions when they come into the space,” Amy says. Floating stairs, glass railing: Viewrail; Paint: Super White (walls), Simply White (ceilings) by Benjamin Moore...

—Frances Stout, Hillsdale, N.J. Tom Silva replies: Any time you insulate, you’re making your home more energy efficient and comfortable, but the gain may not be worth the expense and effort. Here’s what’s involved in this case. And now that your basement is going to be cold in the winter, you’ll also need to insulate any ductwork and hot-water pipes that are below the ceiling, weatherstrip the basement door, and wrap a thick layer of fiberglass around the water-heater tank....

Measurements and Choosing Your Bar Top Before you start constructing anything, consider a few details. Breakfast Bar Height The average bar height is 42 inches tall. You want to keep your bar between 36-42 inches or else your barstools won’t fit under comfortably. Whether you want your bar built extending out from a wall, to create a division between spaces—or along an empty wall as a shelf—you need to leave an adequate passageway....

Its soft green blends in with verdant surroundings, but you could also go bolder with red or yellow to add contrast. Steps for Building a Garden Bench: Follow these directions for building your DIY garden bench. Step 1: Cut the Boards to Length Using a miter saw and the cut list above, cut the 2x12 board to size to create the seat, stringer and leg pieces. Cut the 1x3 board to length to create the trim pieces....

How to Build a Milk Stool What you need for this project: This project requires two slabs of wood, approximately 20 by 24 by around 3 inches thick, whether reclaimed chunks or pieces of construction lumber glued together. It’s possible to cut old beams into slabs and glue them together or purchase whole pieces of wood made from hemlock, pine, or other species from lumberyards. Note: Whenever removing parts from the lockset or the door, place them in a small container....

Hands-off irrigation control Watering a raised-bed garden can be a daily chore in hot summer weather. A single-zone electronic watering timer, such as the 1-Outlet Hose Faucet Timer from Orbit (Home Depot), gives you a break from that routine. Installation is simple: Just thread it onto an outdoor faucet. On rainy days, push a button to stop irrigation. Resources: Jenn built a heftier raised garden bed using cedar 2x lumber, which she got from Western Red Cedar Lumber Association....

Building them is quite easy, as TOH general contractor Tom Silva and two kid carpenters demonstrate. All it takes is a couple of pieces of lumber and some sturdy bolts, and in an hour or two, you can put on your own circus show. Just be careful, and keep the clowning to a minimum. Overview Stilts are simply sturdy poles with treads attached to their sides. To make the poles, Tom Silva and his handy helpers used two 6-foot lengths of pine handrail, which are flat on one side and rounded on the other....

Caring for cushions is one of those chores that are sometimes overlooked. But throw pillows likely get a lot of use and can accumulate the dirt, dust, and stains that come with a busy household. Fortunately, they can be cleaned—some even machine washed. Use this guide to freshen up your prettiest pillows and pick up some tips for keeping them cleaner longer. The Best Ways to Clean Your Throw Pillows Machine-washing, washing by hand, spot-treating, and dry cleaning are the main ways of restoring the good looks and fresh feel of your favorite throw pillows....

Tom used Clear Gorilla Glue to hold the railing pieces together, which can be found at home centers. Tools and Materials

Porcelain is a durable material, but it’s relatively soft as far as tiles go. This means it’s susceptible to cracks or chips, and they’re often eyesores. Luckily, it’s possible to hide the damage with a bit of touch-up glaze. Here’s how to fix cracked and chipped tiles. How to Fix a Chipped Bathtub How To Fix Cracked and Chipped Porcelain Tile Resources Mauro shows Kevin ways that homeowners can patch small porcelain scratches and chips....

Yet most say they don’t feel they’re necessarily doing it right or doing enough. Some 56 percent admit they’ve either never cleaned their washing machine or can’t recall doing so, and 41 percent don’t remember the last time they gave the inside of their refrigerator a good wipe-down. Kitchen garbage and recycling bins didn’t get much love either: Only 13 percent of those surveyed said they pay special attention to the germ-ridden receptacles....

Steps for Installing a Chimney Liner and Damper