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1. Be prepared. Before you go thrifting, explore the flea market’s website for a list of vendors and a map or chart that indicates vendors’ locations. Set a budget and create a list or gather images of items you want to buy. Snap a few pictures and jot down measurements of places in your home you want to fill with newly purchased pieces. Compiling this info beforehand allows you to plot a buying route that efficiently gets you to the booths you most want to visit while focusing your acquiring eye....

Editor’s Tip: If you’re painting an entire room, paint the ceiling first. That way you can cover paint splatters on walls later. How to Paint the Ceiling Once you’ve gathered everything that you need to start painting your ceiling, grab a helper and get started. Supplies Needed Large drop clothsLadderPainters tapePlastic or newspaperSpackling compoundPutty knifeSanding blockPrimer (optional)2- or 2-1/2-inch angled brushPaint9-inch roller brush Step-by-Step Directions Here’s the best way to paint your ceiling with tips from our experts....

With a stencil and some paint, you can add a striking pattern to your outdated tile and mimic the look of pricey encaustic or cement tiles. This project works best with square glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles, and proper prep work is key to a long-lasting finish. Follow these steps on how to paint and stencil tile floors for a bold new look in your kitchen, bathroom, or entryway....

According to HomeAdvisor, the typical price range is $822-$1,611 to install a new hot water heater. Depending on where you live and the tank you choose, the final price tag could be very different. Determine if your current water heater is outdated. If your current water heater is more than 10 years old but still kicking, you should start saving up for a replacement. The typical lifespan of a tank water heater is eight to 12 years, while a tankless heater usually lasts 15 to 18 years....

Varieties of Split Cup Daffodil Small Cup Daffodil Small-cup daffodils have all the same qualities of large-cup and trumpet daffodils, with the exception of the size of their cups. To be classified as a small-cup daffodil, the cup must be less than one-third the length of the petals. Most small-cup daffodils bear only one flower per stem. Blooms may be yellow, white, pink, or bicolor, and some are fragrant. Daffodils make good cut flowers....

Step 1: Right Place, Right Plant Do the plants you’ve picked out need sun, shade, or a combination of both? Start by arranging your plants so they’re in a spot where they’ll get the kind of light they prefer (plants that like the sun should be out in the open, plants that need shade should go in a spot where they’ll have some cover). Full sun is six hours or more of direct sun per day, not necessarily continuously....

How to Propagate Houseplants From Stem Cuttings To propagate new plants from most fast-growing, multi-stemmed houseplants such as Swedish ivy, coleus, or scented geraniums, try taking stem cuttings and rooting them. Step 1: First, cut 4 to 6 inches from the tip of the main stem or side branch, snipping just below a node (where leaf and stem meet). Remove the lower leaves and any flowers so that just a few leaves are left at the top of the stem....

Tips for Trimming Evergreens Besides trees or shrubs with dead or damaged areas, overgrown and fast-growing evergreens are the prime candidates for pruning. Your main goal is to preserve the natural shape of the plant as much as possible (unless you’re creating a sculpted hedge or topiary, of course). So trade your hedge trimmers for a sturdy pair of pruning shears or loppers so you can carefully cut away individual branches....

Luckily, most chocolate stains can be easily removed from clothing, upholstery, and carpet by using a stain pretreatment product. While there are many good stain removers on the market, there is one, in particular, that is excellent at treating chocolate stains. However, there are times when a more intensive stain-removal process is required. This guide will explain how and when to use a stain treatment product versus a deeper cleaning method for removing chocolate stains....

You can probably use a paint stripper to chemically strip the paint from the wood underneath, though you will likely still need to have a paint scraper and sander available if you want a completely clean finish. Some surfaces have multiple layers of paint that need to be removed before you can work on the underlying material, so it’s necessary to be patient as you proceed step by step through the paint removal process....

Fortunately, removing salt stains from shoes is an easy task that doesn’t require specialty cleaning products. It is, however, best not to delay the job of removing road salt from shoes, as long-term exposure can lead to permanent damage to the shoes. Ahead, you’ll find instructions for removing salt stains from leather, suede, and rubber shoes. How to Remove Salt Stains from Leather Shoes Removing salt stains from leather shoes is a simple task, and one that shouldn’t be put off....

Food Stains Baby Food Presoak the stained garment in cold water and liquid laundry detergent. Machine-wash in warm water or according to label directions. If the stain still remains, apply a prewash stain remover or liquid detergent to the area, then machine-wash. More Tips for Washing Baby Clothes Chocolate Scrape off as much chocolate as you can. Pretreat or prewash the garment in warm water with a product containing enzymes, or use a prewash stain remover on the area....

Be aware that metal corner caps are sometimes used instead of corner posts for aluminum siding, and in older installations, they were often used for wood or hardboard lap siding as well. If your local supplier does not have caps to match the ones on your house, check online sources; it helps if you know the manufacturer’s name. In a pinch you can cut and shape a piece of sheet metal to fit, using an old cap as a template....

If your storm door isn’t working properly, try these proven repair tips. If the issue persists, you may find it worthwhile to replace the entire storm door with a more substantial and weather-resistant one. Most repairs can be completed in an hour or so. Before you begin, check the door for binding and other obstructions that could be causing problems. How to Install a Storm Door What You Need ScrewdriverDrillPliersReplacement partsSpray lubricant...

How to Find the Best Orchid Potting Mix In the wild, rather than sinking their roots into the soil, most orchids normally grow in trees, perched high above the rainforest floor. You can replicate that environment with a special orchid bark mix that’s available at garden centers. It provides the quick drainage and plentiful pockets for air that orchid roots require. Mostly, though, it helps anchor plants in pots so they can grow upward....

Pull the legs away from the body and cut the joints that attach the drumstick and thighs.Slice the thigh meat.Cut off the wings.Carve each breast away from the breast bone and ribs.

When you buy fiberglass tape, ensure that the package indicates it’s self-adhesive. While the nonadhesive version is scarce, getting a roll could be an unpleasant surprise. Be sure you keep a sharp utility knife blade available to cut fiberglass tape. A dull blade will merely skip over the fabric or snag the threads. If you’re tackling a big project, consider getting a tape dispenser. It’s a speedy helper for both flat seams and inside corners....

4 ounce cream cheese, softened ¼ cup butter, softened ¼ cup caramel-flavor ice cream topping 1 teaspoon vanilla ¼ teaspoon salt 2 ¾ cup powdered sugar

But live for today “I’m not a big believer in bucket lists. I’ve always believed that we should be living every day as if it is our last and living for the here and now.” Design wisdom “I’ve never met a black wall I didn’t like. I’ll always adore tallboy dressers. And midcentury design is my favorite era because furnishings were pared back, designed with function, and everything had a purpose....