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The need for live-in housekeepers dropped as the middle class grew. Homeowners (mainly women) prepared meals for both the everyday and special events, driving the desire for informality, convenience, and efficiency. Not wanting to spend hours sequestered from families and guests, homeowners’ changing lifestyles caused a shift in architecture. Enter: Open concept living. Open Floor Plans and the First Kitchen Island Frank Lloyd Wright is generally credited with the first design that integrated a kitchen with the rest of a home’s living spaces....

A dormer is also a practical source of ventilation that enables airflow and natural light to pass through your home. In older homes, these can be found in walk-in attics or low-clearance top floors. Newer homes can be designed with a false dormer—a purely ornamental feature with no interior space—or strategically placed on a full-size top floor. Which Kinds of Houses Have Dormers? Dormers have been a part of western architecture for centuries....

The day commemorates the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille, which on July 14, 1789, eliminated the French monarchy during the French Revolution. And while the holiday is obviously a huge cause for celebration in France, it’s celebrated in countries around the world as well. Places that have a strong French history or large French population (like Canada, New York City, and New Orleans) hold parties and parades on July 14 as well....

Laminate Counter Styles and Performance An eased (squared) or bullnose (rounded) edge are common edge finishes for laminate surfaces, but fancier treatments, such as beveling, ogee, and waterfall edges, let you match your countertop style to your kitchen. If you don’t like the color change that occurs at points where laminate pieces are joined, there is a solid-core alternative available. It’s more expensive, but it also allows you to layer colors for contrast and shape the edges for a decorative effect....

10 ounce jar seedless raspberry preserves 1 cup fresh red raspberries or frozen red raspberries 1 tablespoon raspberry liqueur

A pocket door hangs on carriers that travel on an overhead track. The door slides between split jambs inside the wall. A bumper at the frame’s rear or the door’s side keeps the door from sliding too far into the wall. Guides on the floor keep the door from rattling inside the frame. For a successful installation, there must be room for the pocket door to travel inside the wall....

The steps that follow show a sliding patio door. If you are replacing a patio door that operates smoothly, you may not need to alter the rough opening. However, if the old door was difficult to operate, check the rough opening carefully. After the rough opening is prepared, you’ll need about four hours to install the door. Make sure you’re comfortable measuring, sawing, fastening, and leveling. Project tip: A set of hinged patio doors installs much like a slider but also has some of the challenges of hanging a standard exterior door....

Choosing Your Window Air Conditioner Window air conditioners come in a variety of sizes and with a wide range of features. While many features—such as fan speeds, filter alerts, and sleep mode—will depend on your cooling preferences and needs, there are a few key things to pay close attention to when purchasing you unit to make sure it’s right for your space. To get started, measure your window and shop for units that fit within its dimensions....

Bonus: More Pretty Trimwork Ideas What You Need Measuring tool (yardstick, ruler, measuring tape, etc.) Level Chalk Beadboard panels Circular saw Hole saw Construction adhesive Brad nailer Nails Trim Paint, for trim (optional) Finishing nails Caulk Step 1: Establish the Beadboard’s Top Line No matter the age of your home, floors tend to settle and shift, even by fractions of an inch. Those small increments can impact both the visual appearance and the installation of beadboard....

How to Make a DIY Witch Costume Supplies Needed Two 31x20-inch pieces of linen fabric (amount will vary by size of the child)20x20-inch piece of contrasting fabricSewing needle and thread1 yard string¾ yard of black feltBlack headband Step 1: Cut the Dress Enlarge and trace the pocket pattern onto paper and cut out. Cut two pockets from the contrasting fabric for this witch Halloween costume. Then sew the pockets onto one piece of linen fabric (for the dress), leaving edges raw....

How to Make a Book Bin Supplies Needed ¾"x4’x8’ Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) Table saw or portable circular saw and straightedge Four clamps with at least 16" of jaw capacity Wood glue (optional) Cordless drill/driver Countersink drill bit #8x1½" flathead screws (46) Wood putty Spackling knife Sandpaper or sanding block Tack cloth Paint Paintbrush or paint roller Wallpaper (optional), we used Dalmation Spot from Livettes Wallpaper Four legs Four leg mounting plates...

Editor’s Tip: To water wreath, place wreath on ground and gently water with a watering can. Depending on weather temperatures, you may need to water the wreath 1-3 times a week. Let dry a few hours to overnight before hanging.

Choose a combination of annuals and perennials, and transplant the perennials into your garden at summer’s end. Attract hummers with tubular flowers (lantana, salvia, pentas) that hold nectar-promising appeal. Hummingbirds have heightened awareness to colors in the red to yellow range, but nectar itself is the biggest draw. Bees are drawn to purple and blue nectar-filled flowers (agastache, lavender), and they join butterflies in their penchant for pollen-heavy blossoms (bidens, cosmos, zinnia)....

Materials You’ll Need It’s probably easier than you think to make a rain barrel by upcycling an inexpensive plastic outdoor trash can with a lid. Here’s the list of tools and supplies you’ll need: 1 plastic outdoor garbage can with lid (the larger it is, the more water you can collect)1 brass spigot1 tube of watertight sealant1 roll of Teflon tape1 threaded pipe union fitting (or 2 rubber washers, 2 metal washers, and 1 nut)Power drill and bitBox cutter or utility knifeLandscaping fabric or fine mesh screen...

Editor’s Tip: Doors come in standard sizes of 80-inches tall with varying widths. We used the smallest standard size—24-inch by 80-inch—but if you want it to be smaller, try narrow closet door panels or use canvases in the size of your choice. Look for an unfinished slab door, which will be unpainted and won’t have any hardware on it. This is also usually the cheapest option. Now you’re ready to mount your door triptych!...

Our Best Burger Recipes Once you know the secrets to making the juiciest burgers, try our best burger recipes. Crowd-Pleasing Burger Recipes Beef Burger Recipes Best Alternatives to Beef Burgers Make a Smashed Burger