last-deck requires no staining or sealing, just mild soap and water for cleaning. No warping, splitting, cracking, rotting, molding, lightweight and fire-resistant. LastDeck is available in a multitude of options allowing you to design your own luxury outdoor space.
Manufactured in the Midwest of all American made structuralgrade aluminum – the same as an aircraft; Last-Deck is built with high quality standards from our family to yours.
The 300 series is a patented, watertight product that has the ability to be replaced without having to start at one end. Should you receive damage at the mid-way point of your deck, simply pop up 2 joiner strips, replace the bad plank, snap the joiner strips back down, and your repairs are finished! www.lastdeck.com
T K 2 TRENDS KITCHEN 023
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MODERN KITCHENS IN 22
• TODAY’S HOMEOWNER’S 5 BEST DIY HOME-IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
• GLOBAL DIY HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILING MARKET EXPECTED TO GROW
• NEW WINDOW TECH MEANS NO MORE NEED FOR CURTAINS?
• FUTURE-PROOF HOME FEATURES FOR MULTIGENERATIONAL LIVING
SKILL SET MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN STAINING WOOD DECKS
47 36 COVER FEATURE
22 GARAGE DOORS UP CLOSE INSTALL A NEW OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR TO SAVE ENERGY AND BOOST CURB APPEAL
47 STEP-BY-STEP HOW TO FELL A TREE WITH A CHAINSAW
FOCUS 18
LEVEL 1 EVEN FIRST-TIMERS CAN PULL THIS OFF LEVEL 2 WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS AND A LITTLE RESEARCH, YOU CAN DO THE JOB LEVEL 3 THESE CHALLENGING PROJECTS ARE FOR EXPERIENCED DIY’ERS LEVEL 4 DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE JOB, THE EQUIPMENT OR SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED, IT’S BEST TO CALL A PRO
4
Shop class is making a return to high schools, and young folks are learning the value of skilled trades.
According to a recent CNBC article, people are realizing that in this ever-changing world, it makes sense to invest in a career that can’t easily be replaced by technology.
Colleges have become costprohibitive for many middle-class families, and some students who pay for higher education with loans will carry that burden of debt for many years after graduation. With shop class, however, students can begin training for a career path in high school. If you ask me, it only makes sense to invest money in education if that education will pay dividends through the job market. Otherwise, you could educate yourself on virtually any topic for free using the multitude of resources on the internet. College makes perfect sense for careers that are hot in that job market, but I’ve learned through my own career in the publishing industry that
FROM MATT WEBER
there’s more demand for trustworthy builders than there is for magazine editors.
These days, white-collar workers are also facing the specter of Artificial Intelligence. Time will tell how many jobs will be eliminated when AI begins automating jobs once done by humans. This technology is already present in AI models that are available for public use like ChatGPT, Google’s Bard AI and DALL-E, which generates images. And if AI is generating images, as in artwork, how does that portend for the future artists of the world (which is my oldest son’s area of interest).
On the other hand, AI and burgeoning technology poses less of a threat to the careers of electricians, welders, plumbers, carpenters, and the many other trades that have built the world around us. These career paths retain a bright future and require far less financial burden to gain valuable work experience.
To be clear, a four-year degree is still valuable. The Association of
Public and Land-Grant Universities estimates that those who hold a bachelor’s degree have 84 percent higher earning potential, or $36,000 more, than those with solely a high school degree. The key word there is “potential,” because there’s no guarantee of job placement if your field of study has little demand for it.
What is in high demand?
Construction workers. From April to May, job openings increased in the construction industry, along with the trade, transportation, and utilities sectors, even while the overall number of job openings declined, according to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
That’s why I encourage my son, the future artist, to learn how to use a hammer and screwdriver alongside his special charcoal
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MATT WEBER matt@HIRpub.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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NATIONAL SALES jeremy@HIRpub.com
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techniques,
codes and
regulations change.
A recent Today’s Homeowner survey found that nine in 10 American homeowners have home-improvement projects planned for 2023, and many are thinking of DIY-ing these projects. This study researched 19 common home-improvement projects and ranked them based on six factors, including average time to DIY, cost savings of DIY vs. hiring a professional, level of skill required to complete the task, potential safety hazards, level of damage risk to your home or materials, and overall project feasibility. From there, Today’s Homeowner determined the top five easiest tasks to DIY.
For those of us who aren’t plumbers, replacing or connecting a new toilet may seem daunting. But truthfully, it’s one of the easiest tasks for the average homeowner to complete. All you need is a new toilet and a toolkit.
There are no big safety concerns for anyone installing a new toilet. And as long as you shut off your water source and drain the existing toilet (if applicable) before installing the new one, you run a very small risk of damaging your home.
Hiring a professional plumber to install a new toilet will typically cost you $200 for labor plus the cost of your toilet. Considering the average toilet costs between $100 and $150, you can cut your costs in half by choosing to DIY your toilet upgrades.
Hanging wallpaper is a pretty low-effort project and has become even more DIY-friendly with the emergence of peel-and-stick wallpaper. It does, however, require a good bit of patience. If you’re using pre-pasted wallpaper, all you have to do is wet the back of the paper and apply it to your wall once it’s tacky. With unpasted
wallpaper, you’ll use a paint roller to apply the paste before you stick it onto the wall. Other tools — a smoothing tool, utility knife, scissors, tape measure, and a ruler — will allow you to hang the wallpaper as evenly as possible. The cost of wallpaper typically is about $4 per square foot. Hiring a professional may save time and effort, but it’ll bump the price to around $9 per square foot.
Painting your interior rooms is another simple DIY task that doesn’t require a ton of skill. It’s also a pretty safe project unless you have extremely high ceilings that require climbing high on a ladder. If that’s the case, you might consider calling in a professional. You should also consider the age and condition of your walls and whether they will need more TLC than a fresh coat of paint. Many DIY’ers may be surprised to learn that painting the average 120-square-foot room takes about seven hours. But this figure takes prepping, priming, and cleaning into account. It will cost about $800 to paint your rooms, but it would be about $3,000 to call in the pros.
Aside from exercising caution when using standard gardening equipment, there’s no real safety concern for planting flower beds around your home. Depending on your vision, the size of the project, and the specifics of your yard, you’re looking at around three to six hours of work and about $1,000 in tools and plants. Hiring a professional landscaper would add roughly $1,000 to the project, so DIY-ing your outdoor decor could lead to significant savings.
Updating kitchen fixtures may include installing a new sink or faucet or miscellaneous parts, such as a pot filler, bar faucet, water filtration, etc. It’s not a dangerous task and will only involve some awkward angles and wrench twisting on your part. But it does require some skill, and the fixtures can end up wobbly, crooked, or fall out of place if you don’t install them correctly. You could flood your kitchen if you’re not careful, but we still think most will be able to tackle this task without a professional. It’ll likely take you two hours to install each fixture, but you’ll save about $135 per fixture in labor costs, so the savings can add up.
To read the full Today’s Homeowner report, including the five worst DIY home projects, visit https://todayshomeowner.com.
the global do-it-yourself (DIY) home-improvement retailing market is predicted to grow immensely, chiefly due to growing disposable income of global populations. Also, availability of a wide range of DIY paint products is expected to make the painting sub-segment the most dominant one. The North America region is predicted to be the most profitable one by 2030. According to the newly published Research Dive report, the market is anticipated to rise at a stable CAGR of 4.37%, thereby garnering a revenue of $1,278.0 billion in the 2022-2030 timeframe.
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the routine lifestyle of people across the globe and the subsequent lockdowns adversely impacted the industrial processes across all sectors. The do-it-yourself (DIY)
home improvement retailing market, however, was positively impacted by the pandemic. The lockdowns forced people to engage in any repair work at their homes themselves. Moreover, many people took up gardening practices in order to beautify their home exteriors and keep themselves busy. These factors helped in the growth of the market in the forecast period.
A growing number of environmentally friendly DIY projects is predicted to offer numerous growth opportunities in the forecast period. Moreover, a gradual shift away from the “use-and-throw-away" culture is expected to help the market register substantial growth in the coming period. However, according to market analysts, lack of experts in the field might become a restraint in the growth of the DIY homeimprovement market.
Glass Dyenamics is a company that offers new smart glass technology that allows homeowners to adjust window tint with the push of a button. Known as dynamic glass technology, the “smart” glass uses an electric charge to tint and untint windows, eliminating the need for curtains and dramatically improving the amount of energy it takes to keep a house warm or cold throughout the year. With billions of dollars earmarked to cut greenhouse gas emissions, a new smart glass technology promises to help speed up the transition to make homes more energy efficient. In fact, according to a recent report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Berkeley Lab, adoption of dynamic windows in residential homes would avoid 78 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually by 2030. This is equivalent to 9.3 million homes’ energy use for an entire year in
the United States. On top of this, individual homeowners would save up to 20 percent on their utility bills. Learn more about the new technology at https://glassdyenamics.com.
QUESTION: How do I fasten together cement boards to make window shutters out of Hardie Trimboard?
ANSWER: We do not recommend that you fabricate window shutters from Hardie Trimboard. We turned directly to the experts at James Hardie Co. to field this question, and here is their response: “Unfortunately, we do not recommend our trim products be used to make shutters. It is not structural and there is no reliable way to attach Hardie to Hardie.”
As an alternative, try building shutters from Western Red Cedar because the boards tend to remain straight over time, and the wood’s natural oils protect it from insect infestation and rot.
QUESTION: How do I remove scratches from a stainless-steel appliance?
ANSWER: You should be able to remove light scratches with a non-abrasive, stainless-steel scratch-remover compound, which can smooth out the surface to remove minor damage. This product is sold under brand names such as Rolite Metal Polish Paste and 3M Super Duty Rubbing Compound. Use microfiber cloths to apply and remove the compound. Deeper scratches can usually be removed with an abrasive pad and a small amount of cooking oil. You’ll need a scouring pad or scrubbing sponge, plus some cooking oil (olive oil works), but this only works with uncoated stainless steel—not if it’s coated by a protective coating. It’s also important to understand that, similar to wood, stainless steel has a directional grain as indicated by the very fine lines seen throughout the metal surface. Always work the abrasive pad in the same direction as the grain to remove scratches, because abrading the surface across the grain will only create further scratches. Sandpaper can effectively remove deep scratches, but you should only use fine-grit abrasive (around 400 is sufficient) that has been soaked in water.
Need more info? Visit Matt’s blog at HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com.
With the number of adults over the age of 65 expected to outnumber those 18 and under by 2034 (according to Census Bureau data), along with several economic and cultural factors, a growing number of homes will have to support two or more generations in the near future.
Designing with longevity in mind is more important than ever, and an array of flexible solutions can accommodate changing lifestyles. These amenities
The ADA-compliant Duravit No.1 toilets include one-piece, two-piece and wallmounted toilet solutions for versatility across design. The Duravit No.1 toilet is engineered for hygiene and quality and is equipped with Rimless flushing technology. Covered in single flush and dual flush options, Duravit No.1 toilets provide attractive solutions with timeless design for any bathroom. Visit https://www.duravit.us.
are designed with a timeless style without sacrificing functionality in terms of comfort, safety, hygiene and accessibility. Improvements in bathroom accessibility should include barrier-free showers with entrances wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and curbfree thresholds. Aging-in-place designs should be easier to clean with fewer surfaces, joints and seams where mold, mildew and grime can build up. Here are a few thoughtfully designed fixtures.
Improvements in bathroom accessibility may include barrier-free showers with entrances wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and curbfree thresholds. The benefits of barrier-free showers include additional important aspects; they are easier to clean as there are fewer surfaces, joints and seams where mold, mildew and grime can build up, ensuring a healthier environment. Infinity Drains’ newly patented “Site Sizable” low profile linear drain is a perfect solution when designing showers for this important demographic. Visit https://infinitydrain.com.
Whether indoors or outdoors, the True Low-Profile, ADA-compliant Undercounter Refrigerator gives you complete digital cooling flexibility wherever you need it, while boasting sustainable functionality and an accessible height for those in a wheelchair. A testament to the quality of this line, the glass door version of the True Undercounter Refrigerator is the only glass door model in the industry that is also UL rated for outdoor use. It’s now available in the company’s new Bluestone color tone. Visit https://true-residential.com.
With a modern T-style design and a bar that flows past its mounting points, the Infinity grab bar appears it could go on forever. This grab bar is ideal for walk-in showers, bathrooms or anywhere a safety bar is needed, with a unique design that breaks the institutional look of traditional grab bars. It is constructed of high quality 18 gauge stainless steel and includes (2) 3-in. flange covers, (6) 2-in. stainless steel screws. It's available in a variety of finishes to offer extra support without sacrificing style. This ADA complaint grab bar will bring a touch of elegance to your bathroom while making your home safer to prevent falls. Visit https://www.grab-bar.com.
Slim in design, the Architec Shower Tray offers a modern design solution for shower alcoves. With its 2.5-inch curb height, the shower tray offers homeonwers an easy step-in alternative for showering. Additionally, the design’s Class C slip-rating, anti-slip qualities help prevent tripping accidents and give users peace of mind. Visit https://www.duravit.us.
Transforming a home using smart window technology can make life easier and help seniors and retirees age in place. Motorized window blinds and shades, like those by Graber, simplify life and make it effortless for those to stay in their preferred living situation. Motorized window blinds and shades have already made adjusting light and privacy levels a breeze, with remote control options that handle everything from one hardto-reach window to a full-home solution. Smart home technology has expanded the possibilities even more. Graber’s smartphone app can set blinds and shades to raise and lower at scheduled times of day for energy efficiency, or to make the home appear occupied when they are away. Connect it to an in-home voice assistant through a gateway device, and the user can open, close, or tilt their blinds through a simple voice command. Visit https://www.graberblinds.com.
Between the BBQ, the patio furniture and family get-togethers, decks handle more traffic than any other wood surface around our homes. The deck is the centerpiece of an outdoor entertainment space, but it’s easy to make mistakes that can keep decks from standing up to the summer sun, weather and foot traffic.
The experts at Sansin, a wood-protection company that focuses on eco-friendly solutions, offers these Mistakes To Avoid to ensure wooden decks are properly designed and protected.
• Not considering design impact. Excessive moisture is much more problematic for a deck than UV exposure. Wetting causes the wood to swell and then shrink while drying.
From this natural expansion and retraction, little cracks will form as the wood cycles through these extreme conditions. This can cause the wood to discolor and the coatings to wear prematurely. Consider designing landscape, sprinklers and roof drainage to avoid excessive wetting on the deck. This can help reduce these extremes and extend maintenance cycles.
• Choosing a coating that sits on top of the wood. Where some film-forming deck coatings may easily peel or flake, waterborne finishes (like Sansin’s Dec) penetrate the wood tissue, protecting the wood from deep within. Penetrating stain/sealers repel water, while at the same time allowing the
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wood to “breathe” naturally and not trap moisture.
• Applying product at the wrong time of day. It is recommended to apply the deck preservative in the morning, out of direct sunlight. A deck that is exposed to sun or has been in the sun all day will be too warm. This can cause the product to dry too quickly on the surface before adequate penetration into the woodgrain.
• Not properly prepping the wood surface. Preparation is key to a successful deck project. Here are the steps to follow. First, apply a biodegradable
deck cleaner to remove buildup, mold and mildew. Rinse with a hose, and let it dry thoroughly. Next, use an orbital sander with 60-80 grit paper to create a level, consistently porous surface. This will ensure the wood will accept the right amount of product. Now, apply the coating using a garden sprayer and backbrush any puddles of product, but let the product soak into the wood. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying subsequent coats.
• Not being proactive about maintenance. “Early bird gets the worm” is an appropriate saying for decks. Doing deck maintenance before visible wear and tear leads to a much easier and enjoyable experience. Be sure to inspect the surface carefully from time to time and look for even the smallest signs that maintenance is needed. It’s easier to put a maintenance coat on than redo a deck. Pro tip: a simple water bead test will indicate if it’s time for maintenance. Apply a few drops of water to the wood decking. If it beads on the surface, the deck is protected. If the water soaks into the wood, it’s time for restoration.
To learn more, go to Sansin.com.
INSTALL A NEW OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR TO SAVE ENERGY AND BOOST CURB APPEAL.
By Tom Matthews
Overhead garage doors occupy a lot of square footage, which means they can be among the most noticeable features of a home. A good-looking garage door can add a great deal of curb appeal, whether you're replacing an old door or adding a full new garage. New insulated doors increase weather protection, save energy, and operate with smoother, quieter performance than doors of the past.
The design of overhead doors has evolved over the years. Homeowners can choose from a wide range of panel and trim designs, a variety of window configurations, and various glass options. Select your favorite color and finish, then personalize your door with optional accessories such as faux door hinges and handles to achieve the look of vertical double doors.
Here’s how a pro installer from Precision Overhead Door Service of Birmingham, Alabama, got the job done.
STEP BY STEP
11| The upper horizontal sections of the tracks will be suspended by slotted angle brackets.
12| Pro tip: An angle-iron cutter makes short work of cutting the slotted angle brackets.
13| Angle brackets extending from the wall brackets to the ceiling tracks ensure strength and rigidity.
14| Additional angle brackets fastened to the ceiling joists support the tracks from above and keep them perfectly aligned.
7| Molay uses the door’s rollers to guide position of the tracks on each side of the doors, screwing the tracks in place on the door frame.
8| To lift the door, steel cable is routed up through the roller assemblies.
9| The upper arms of the door tracks are held by metal brackets screwed to the wall. Make sure the brackets align with lower tracks and that everything is installed plumb.
10| The curved section of the tracks connect with the vertical wall tracks at the bracket to ensure smooth travel of the door up the tracks.
15| Both door tracks must be aligned perfectly parallel.
16| With the tracks in place, the doors can then be assembled panel by panel.
17| The panels interconnect at each roller/hinge assembly.
18| Next, assemble the torsion spring according to the manufacturer's instructions.
19| Torsion springs are mounted above the doors to operate the door with a controlled, steady motion.
20| The torsion spring bolts to the corner brackets.
21| The torsion spring is also supported by a center bracket.
22| Attaching this reinforcement bar ensures the top panel will stay flat and rigid when lifted.
23| Winding the torsion spring requires using 18-in. winding bars made from 1/2-in. diameter cold rolled steel (not a typical toolbox staple). Notice the drums on each end that carry the cable up to the spring. Because of the high-degree of tension applied to the spring and the potential for injury, most manufacturers recommend this step be done by a professional.
BECAUSE OF THE HIGH-DEGREE OF TENSION APPLIED TO THE SPRING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY, MOST MANUFACTURERS RECOMMEND THIS STEP BE DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL.
Our premium quality hardtop gazebos and outdoor structures can be found in all major online retailers in North America. We strive to be a market leader, and we strongly believe in the quality and innovation of our products.
With over 35 years of experience, a qualified staff of customer service, operation and sales support, we look forward to be a part of your backyard experience. Gazebo Penguin Inc. is committed to provide quality, stylish outdoor structures, and help you create your own backyard oasis.
24| Before moving forward, Molay tests the travel of the door.
25| Additional angle brackets are fastened to the ceiling joists to support the garage door opener.
26| Assemble the garage door opener on the ground and mount it centered above the door. Essentially, a garage door opener works as a light-duty winch.
27| Installation of a lifter arm in the center of the door connects it to the door opener.
28| Finally, the opener is wired to the controllers and to the sensors mounted to the bottoms of the doors.
29| Mount the controls in a location that is most convenient to how you'll be using
30| Decorate your door with optional accessories to give it a custom look.
31| The finished project adds a lot of appeal to the front of the Laneys’ garage.
How many times have you been told to "just imagine" how something would look in or on your home? With garage doors, you don't have to imagine how a new garage door would enhance your home's curb appeal, you can actually see it! From Haas Doors, HaasCreate is a free design tool that serves as an online visualizer, located at www.haascreate.com. It is also available as an easy-to-use app for the iPad, which doesn't require an internet connection to use, and is available for free at the Apple store. Once installed, you can upload a photo of your home and outline the existing garage area. Then HaasCreate helps to instantly create a new garage door with different styles, options and colors at your fingertips. If you don't have a photo of your home exterior, don't worry. You can choose from sample home images on the app. Have fun making personal product selections — including a garage door style, color, windows, overlay colors, trim colors, handles and accessories — so you can customize your garage door perfectly to enhance the exterior of your home. Visit www.haascreate.com to learn more.
Over the past few years, the kitchen has become the central living hub of the home, with its use transitioning from singular to multi-functional. As kitchen design and function continue to evolve, so do the trends that define this space. The interior décor experts at Top Knobs, a leading manufacturer of decorative kitchen and bath hardware, outlines 2023’s leading kitchen design themes:
Kitchens receive the full glamour treatment. Straddling the line between chef-worthy and ultra-chic, these luxurious spaces are equipped with high-end features that are dripping in opulence. By adding dazzling design elements like knobs and pulls in Polished Nickel, your kitchen will shine bright like a diamond.
The color spectrum is ever-expanding, and preferences for interior chromatic pallets are in constant transition. While it may seem like everyone was making a statement with vibrant green and blue cabinetry in recent years, 2023 takes a demure turn with a desire for a more subtle approach when it comes to cabinetry color. This year, neutral wood tones and white hues reign supreme, according to a Houzz study. Stand-out decorative hardware can add a bold contrast and make neutral cabinetry pop.
As industrial elements pick up in popularity, so does the yearning to incorporate this genre of interior design in every room of the home. Be it genuine building features left exposed or faux decorative embellishments that give way to an architectural and urban atmosphere, one thing is certain, this theme is here to stay. Cabinet hardware, lighting fixtures and trim accents with a touch of mechanized detailing can complement this design for a contemporary kitchen.
Large-format tile and stone slabs in marbleized reliefs are commanding attention in the kitchen this year. From countertops to backsplashes and wrapped islands, these larger-than-life coverings enhance the kitchen with natural beauty. As not to overpower these outstanding surfaces, fixtures in complementing finishes will pick up the nuanced details of the kitchen cladding, to establish a cohesive and balanced environment. Decorative hooks, knobs and pulls will complete the look of any kitchen, and Top Knobs offers an expansive catalog with more than 30 finish options.
“With great power comes great responsibility.” - Voltaire.
As the kitchen maintains its role as the workhorse of the home, ancillary space is a must. Although they may still be considered the ultimate luxury, prep kitchens are the way of the future. These hidden gems are accessible from the main kitchen area and offer extra space for meal prep, storage and entertainment. When adding a scullery or butler’s pantry to your home, consider the Coddington collection with five different complementary suites of cabinet knobs, pulls, and appliance pulls that will define the look in each part of your kitchen.
All Top Knobs collections come with a lifetime warranty. Visit TopKnobs.com for more information.
Textured tiles have been named the biggest interior trend in the lead up to summer 2023, with a 5700% increase in searches. As part of the Micro Trend Report, the team at Wethrift have revealed that when looking across a 30-day period, Google searches for textured tiles increased by 5700%, officially making it the hottest interior trend for summer 2023.
“Textured tiles and textured walls are growing in popularity due to the fact they are a subtle way to add more character and nuance to a living space,” says Nick Drewe, Trends Expert at Wethrift. “Homeowners are utilizing texture more to create a unique look and finish to a room, by adding depth and a more rustic feel to the bathroom. Another key benefit is that they are an ideal way to hide any imperfections on the walls.
“As well opting for texture walls, we’re also seeing an increase in people adding textured flooring tiles - as well as the aesthetic benefit, they add a more durable grip to surfaces that may be slippery, such as in the bathroom or in a kitchen where liquids may be spilt on the floor.”
Here are a few key ways to make the textured tile trend work in your home:
Create contrast - Textured tiles can be used to create contrast in your rooms, such as against the fitted kitchen units or in your bathroom. Whether it’s flooring tiles or walls, a striking contrast can be created to really bring the room to life.
Add black - Textured tiles to your bathroom or kitchen - black textured tiles are an ideal way to add more depth to a living space, while keeping it chic and elegant, with a hint of sophistication. This style works particularly well in a bathroom or kitchen rather than in the living room space.
Create a rustic feel - Natural textures and neutral colours are a great way to add a more rustic charm and appeal to your
home. If you are not one for embracing ultra modernism, this trend is an ideal way to add more character to the home. Wood-look tiles are particularly effective for achieving this look. Use tiles for your feature wall - Feature walls don’t just have to be done with wallpaper and block colors. Why not create a feature wall in your living room or kitchen space using texture tiles?
Use geometric patterns - Geometric tiles are a great way to spruce up any living space with patterns, making the room seem less bare, but doing so in a way that avoids any maximalist patterns which may be too bold.
Learn more at https://www.wethrift.com/articles/micro-trends-culture-mapped.
A messy kitchen is a space well-loved. Delta Faucet purposefully designs products for real kitchens, real messes and real life.
Delta Touch2O Technology makes kitchen tasks easy: simply touch anywhere on the spout or handle with your wrist or forearm to start and stop the flow of water. It's the ideal way to keep your faucet clean, even when your hands aren't.
Available across select kitchen and bath collections, Delta Lumicoat Finishes are guaranteed to resist mineral buildup and hard water stains. Lumicoat Finishes easily wipe clean without the need for cleaners or chemicals and are guaranteed to resist mineral buildup and hard water stains. The ultra-sleek surface repels liquids, resisting water spots and staying cleaner longer, so your faucet stays beautiful.
Plus, Delta’s Workstation Sinks maximize the functionality of your kitchen with accessories perfect for food prep. The WorkFlow ledge creates a multi-functional workspace and reduces clutter by allowing you to work right over the sink. Slide accessories across the sink for a seamless transition between tasks, making it easy to prep meals like a pro. Learn more at www.deltafaucet.com.
Wood-Mode introduces three new door styles to round out its transitional design offerings. Each of the three door styles are available in both inset and full overlay and can be customized in any of Wood-Mode’s wide range of stains, colors and finishes. Wood-Mode puts texture front and center with Cologne Reeded, a new take on the popular Cologne door which
makes a bold statement adding both dimension and visual interest. The Darien Heights Recessed door features a mitered door and drawerhead frame with solid wood molding applied to the outer edges. The Weston Recessed door offers minimal lines and an unassuming presentation, sporting a beveled profile on the interior edge of the door and drawerhead frame. Visit wood-mode.com.
With the new Beko HarvestFresh Refrigerator, three-color light technology prolongs produce freshness and vitamin life to empower a healthier, more nutrient-rich lifestyle. The proprietary, three-light innovation recreates the 24hour sun cycle in the crisper drawers, so HarvestFresh preserves fruits and
producer of quartz surfaces in America. The collection includes Berkshire Brass and Berkshire Steel, which feature alloy veining that captures the luster of Brass and Steel, available in three different surface
vegetables for 30 days while extending the life of the essential vitamins in fresh produce, namely vitamins A and C. The three-color light technology glows blue at sunrise to initiate the photosynthesis process, green at midday to capture the strongest sunlight, and red at sunset to prepare for the night. Visit www.beko.com/us-en.
The new Alloy Collection is now available from Cambria, the leading
characteristics—smooth, sculpted, and Satin Ridge. In addition to the never-before-seen alloys, the brand also introduces Brittanicca Gold Cool, Hailey, and Harlow as part of their Luxury series. The designs feature a mix of warm and cool tones with striking veining. Visit www.cambriausa.com.
For outdoor kitchens, the Danver Cosmopolitan Collection is expanding with the new Cosmopolitan Buffet table, which
Nobilia, the world’s largest manufacturer of European Kitchen Furniture, creates a nature-inspired palette with Easytouch 964 in mineral green. Just as the name suggests, Easytouch provides the experience of “touch” with its velvety matte kitchen fronts. Say goodbye to annoying finger smudges. The fashionable fronts in the Easytouch series are finished with an innovative surface coating. As a result, the fronts stay spotless for longer and are easier to clean. The high-quality anti-fingerprint coating refines the surface
provides a multi-purpose prep, cooking, and storage space for outdoor entertaining. It features the optional innovative Invisacook induction technology, perfect for small spaces like balconies where a grill may not be possible. The Cosmopolitan Collection now includes five product offerings: the Cosmopolitan Prep, Eat, Cook, Store and Buffet. Visit https://danver.com.
Five sealed cooktop burners of varying sizes and power levels provide all the power and precision you need. Turn up the power with a dual burner that can rapidly go to high heat for quick boiling, or turn down to a true simmer. The removable cast-iron griddle is perfect for pancakes, eggs and bacon, tortillas and more. Wipe away spills with ease on the specially-coated surface, and keep your stainless steel cooktop look ing like new. Visit www.lg.com.
to create a pleasant, velvety texture with a caressing feel. Behind every Nobilia component is the best in German engineering for ultimate flexibility and full-access construction. Visit nobiliakitchenfurniture.com.
To fell a tree with a chainsaw, you should first assess the tree and the surrounding area to ensure safety. Make sure there are no power lines or other obstacles in the way.
Next, determine the direction you want the tree to fall, and plan your cuts accordingly. Is the tree leaning? Do the branches hang mostly in one direction, placing more weight on one side of the tree than the other? Which direction is the wind blowing? It’s easiest to fell the tree in the direction it would naturally fall due to
slope, overhang, and wind direction. Felling a tree in a different direction than its natural path requires special techniques known as “directional felling,” greater effort, and sometimes cannot be accomplished, requiring a professional tree surgeon to dismantle the tree piece by piece.
Establish a clear escape route for when the tree begins to fall, at about a 45-degree angle to the tree away from the felling direction. Avoid moving away from the falling tree in a straight opposite direction from which it is falling,
because the tree can kickback off the stump and kill or injure people.
The notch is made in two parts: the top cut and bottom cut. Start by making a horizontal cut on the side of the tree facing the direction you want it to fall, about one-fifth of the way through the trunk.
Then, make a second cut, slightly higher than the first cut and angling downward.
This second cut should meet the first cut, creating a wedge-shaped notch.
Remove the wood to reveal the notch. This may take some encouragement from an axe or hammer.
Once the directional notch has been made, make the felling cut. This is a horizontal cut on the opposite side of the tree that is level with or slightly above the first cut. Cut toward and parallel to the directional notch to create a hinge and cause the tree to fall in the desired direction. The ideal hinge width is about 10 percent the diameter of the tree.
Wedges driven into the felling cut can help to open it and tilt the tree in the direction of the directional notch. It's important to always wear protective gear and follow proper safety procedures when using a chainsaw.
Once the tree has fallen, the delimbing process can begin. Most homeowners don’t have the equipment to cut and handle large trees, but professional lumberjacks and tree-removal services can make short work of this chore.
The purpose of cutting a directional notch is to create a hinge that controls the path of the falling tree. This diagram shows the particulars of ideal hinge size and placement.
In the following video from Husqvarna, you can learn proper methods for creating different notches and techniques for maintaining a correct hinge so that you will fell a tree safely and comfortably. https://youtu.be/Dk0JSn5WDTE