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While painted countertops are definitely a viable option when planning an upgrade, there are a few things you need to know before you get started. “The pro of painting your countertops is that you are solely responsible for the look of the finished product,” says Andre Kazimierski of Improovy Painters. This can make for a fun DIY project that’s totally customizable based on your style and color preferences. But an amateur job can be an eyesore and cost more money to fix in the long run....

There are important details to remember when considering what to stock in a pantry. Choose foods your family will eat. In other words, skip anything on this emergency pantry list you wouldn’t eat normally to cut down on potential food waste. And take note of any special dietary needs or food allergies, and adjust our list accordingly. Also, don’t forget about your pets. Just as important as stocking an emergency food pantry: Refilling any prescriptions or equipping your family with enough prescription, over-the-counter medications, and vitamins that might be needed in an emergency....

Step 1: Coat the Chicken with Liquid For tender, richly flavored chicken, use buttermilk for your coating. (You can also use regular milk or eggs if that’s what you have on hand.) In a resealable plastic bag placed in a bowl, combine buttermilk, coarse salt, and sugar. Cut chicken breasts in half crosswise. Add chicken pieces to the buttermilk mixture; seal bag. Chill 2 to 4 hours. Drain and discard buttermilk mixture from chicken; pat chicken dry with paper towels....

Where to Plant Trifoliate Orange Trifoliate orange is native to China and is thought to have been introduced to North America for use as a barrier plant, especially in agricultural settings. It was planted in hedgerows as a living fence for livestock. It can make an interesting living fence in home landscapes today, but beware of the long, sharp thorns. Avoid planting it where small children or pets may play or near busy walkways....

Wallpaper borders are made of solid paper, paper backing with a vinyl coating, fabric backing with a vinyl coating, or solid vinyl. This material is affixed to the wall with a strong adhesive, so before the wallpaper border can be peeled away, you need to reduce the adhesive bond between the wallpaper and the wall. Use this guide to learn how to remove a wallpaper border without damaging your walls....

The first step is identifying what type of radiator you have. Many older homes are heated with steam or hot water radiators, while newer homes may have convector radiators. Below, we help you figure out which variety heats your home, then walk you through basic radiator repairs: installing a new valve, clearing the bleeder valve, and maximizing airflow, for example. Expect to spend anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours on these projects, and make sure you’re familiar with your system before you begin....

We like this method because you can choose an article of clothing in a color you know you like and turn that into a tie-dye creation by removing the color in some areas. No more wondering what color the dye powder is actually going to be, and no messy dye drips! And the process couldn’t be easier—throw on some protective gloves, rubber band a colored shirt, and start spraying!...

If you’re the victim of a porch pirate, you might be able to get a refund from the company that shipped it. Here are the policies on stolen packages from six major online retailers. Bed Bath & Beyond Bed Bath & Beyond does not specify a policy on replacing stolen packages, but their website recommends checking around your home and with neighbors if your tracking information indicates that the package was delivered but you have not received it....

If your entry has wood subflooring, shore up the joists and the subfloor, if necessary, and prepare the surface with the same methods used for a slab. Mix enough thinset to allow you to use it within its working time (the time it takes to “skin” over) and trowel it on the floor, smoothing first with the straight edge of a trowel and combing it with the notched edge. Screw down cement backerboard with the edges centered on the joists, offsetting subsequent joints and spacing the edges ⅛ inch apart....

This tutorial shows you how to dress up a bay window with trim. We’ll walk you through adding facia to the skirt, installing molding, and placing hardware. Depending on the trim you choose, expect to spend at least a day installing it. This project requires good carpentry skills and one or two strong helpers. What You Need FaciaTable saw, power mitersaw, or circular saw6d galvanized box nailsHammerDrillForstner bitWood plugsLevelCarpenter’s glueSandpaperInsulationCasingTacksFinishing nailsWood puttyFinish or paintPaintbrushScrewdriver...

Swapping out wrapping paper for pretty fabric is one of our favorite easy ways to go green. You will not only be green but also save green. According to a study, Americans spend around $7 billion on wrapping paper every year. Patterned fabric is a one-time purchase you can reuse every year or encourage your recipient to reuse. Wrapping gifts with fabric is practical too! Fabric’s pliability means it covers odd-shaped items and won’t tear at corners....

“We’re a fickle society,” says Scott Sidler, founder and editor-in-chief of The Craftsman Blog and a licensed Florida contractor who has been restoring historic buildings for more than 20 years. “Painted brick might be cool today, but in 20 years, it’s like you’re peeling carpet off hardwood and going ‘Who did this?’” Drive down any suburban block, though, and you’ll likely notice that plenty of people have already bought into the painted brick look....

It’s not too surprising then that protein powders are increasing in popularity, according to market research firm Grand View Research. Can protein powders help with weight loss? “Yes!” says Chris Mohr, RD, of MohrResults.com. “Are they necessary for weight loss? Of course not. It depends on how they’re used.” What Is Protein Powder? Protein powders are pretty much what their name implies—powdered forms of protein that come from plant and/or animal sources....

Ivy got her start writing as a food and restaurant critic for the Willemette Week, and wrote her first cookbook in 2006. Around the same time, she tried her hand at travel writing for Cooking Light magazine. Ivy has pitched ideas and written for magazines such as Bon Appetit, and she has also worked with Everyday with Rachael Ray.

History of Keeping Rooms The history of this room dates back to the late 18th century when people built keeping rooms (sometimes called hearth rooms) next to their kitchens for warmth. Since the kitchen was the only place inside the home that had a fireplace, the warmth of the fire extended into the keeping room and provided a place for people to stay warm during the cold winter months. Families would gather in this often-small room and spend the day preparing meals, sewing, or doing other household chores....