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Kate Shaw and Betsy Moyer, co-founders of Retreat, a design and consulting company for Airbnb properties, know this first-hand. They recently encountered a 1980s-era home in need of what seemed like a no-big-deal repair: new countertops. However, an inspection revealed a more complicated job; the old counters were poorly maintained and unsteady. They had to be redone completely before more cosmetic improvements could happen. Time Is Money One of the first points to consider when debating a DIY remodel is your level of expertise....

1 cup butter, softened 3 ½ cup powdered sugar 2 teaspoon finely shredded lime zest 1 teaspoon lime juice ¼ teaspoon coconut extract

Whether it’s due to religion, pregnancy, for addiction reasons, or simply the fact that you don’t want to or don’t like to drink—or just want to take a night or a month off—there’s no wrong reason to choose not to booze. And you certainly won’t be alone in selecting the non-alcoholic drink these days. (You might also see these referred to as NA, zero-proof, or spirit-free drinks or mocktails.) Thanks to an increased interest in sober curiosity and mindful drinking, the average American is drinking 3....

How to Hang String Lights Outdoors Follow our step-by-step instructions for mounting string lights along your deck, porch, or patio. What You Need String lights and bulbsLadderPencilDrillWood-bearing drill bit slightly smaller than your screw eyesScrew eyesMini metal carabinersOutdoor extension cordOutlet timer, if desired Step 1: Select Anchor Points Lay string lights around the perimeter of your deck. Visualize where you want each strand to hang, and adjust lights until they’re in the desired position....

True board-and-batten is made with vertically installed wide boards and narrow battens fastened over the gaps between the boards. In appearance, board-and-batten siding can look rustic or modern, depending on how rough the lumber is and its finish. The most common arrangement uses 1x10 boards and 1x2 or 1x3 batten. You can also use 1x8 or 1x12 boards and 1x4 battens. To seal out moisture, the boards should be in sound condition and free of open knots, and the battens should lap at least 3/4 inch onto the boards on both sides....

Consult with your inspector to see whether you need to tear off the old roofing or if you can reroof over the existing roofing. Use flashings approved by your building department. Modified-bitumen roofing may have a granular surface as shown here or it may be smooth. If you install the smooth product, cover it with aluminum coating. These steps show a “torch-down” method, which looks a bit scary but actually is not too difficult....

Thanks to our Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen’s years of practice in the cookie-making department, we’ve got some easy tips you should always follow. We’ll help you determine whether you need to bake your cookies on a greased or ungreased cookie sheet and share how to let them cool long enough so they won’t break. Then, come Christmastime, you’ll have dozens of chocolate chip cookies, layer bars, and more flying off the pans....

There are plenty of benefits to composting, such as enriching the soil we use for gardening. You also can reduce up to 30 percent of the things you normally throw in the trash by composting food scraps and yard waste instead. When composting at home, it’s important to sift your compost to separate the organic material that’s suitable for gardening and the stuff that still needs some time to decompose....

If you check out social media, sweet potato toast is everywhere. On Instagram, the #sweetpotatotoast has more than 33,000 posts. Tik Tok users are also sharing their creations, including one of my favorites, vegan actress Tabitha Brown. There are a few different ways to prepare your potato. You can microwave sweet potato slices and then pop one in the toaster, or you can boil whole sweet potatoes, slice them after, and then toast them....

When you’ve stitched both long edges of each panel, evenly space your pressed tabs across the short edge. Our panel was about 50 inches wide, and our tabs were 5 inches apart. Pin the tabs into place on the front side of the fabric with straight pins, raw edges up and right sides together with the panel. Then, pin the facing piece in place on top of the tabs and the panel, raw edges up....

How to Make Kettle Corn Step-By-Step Learning how to make kettle popcorn is easier than you might think. Like any homemade popcorn, it can be dressed up however you like it while it’s cooking or topped off with extra goodies when it’s done. The first step to making kettle corn is getting the oil ready and popping the popcorn kernels on the stove: Line a large baking sheet or tray with foil; set aside....

How to Sew a Simple Bag Supplies Needed ¼-yard cotton fabric (straps)Fabric shears or scissorsTape measurePencil or pen⅔-yard cotton fabric (pockets)2 10¼×14¼-inch rectangles thin, firm batting1-yard cotton fabric (lining)IronIroning boardQuilter’s pinsSewing machineThread6-inch sewing gauge Finished Tote Bag Tips Bag size: 8×10×4 inchesQuantities are for 44/45-inch-wide, 100 percent cotton fabrics.Measurements include ¼-inch seam allowances.Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated. Step-by-Step Directions With a few simple sewing skills and these how-to instructions, you can create your own six-pocket tote bag....

How to Prepare Houseplants for Moving To ensure the smoothest move possible, switch out any ceramic and clay pots for shatter proof plastic options. It’s an easy way to avoid broken pots and protect plants from any unforeseen bumps in the road. Alternatively, try wrapping breakable containers in packing material like moving blankets or bubble wrap, just as you would do to any other fragile item. The goal is to prevent the pots from jostling around and shield them from getting hit hard enough to break....

The key is to organize everything inside your small closet while keeping the most frequently used items visible and within reach. With smart storage solutions and a little creativity, you’ll find that your dream closet can be a reality. These ideas show you how to organize a small closet to better support your daily routine. 1. Use a Combination of Drawers and Dividers If you’re wondering how to organize a small closet with lots of clothes, one of the most effective methods is to utilize multiple space-saving methods....

What You Need Flat wood block or canvasImage, laser-printed in reverse (you can get one at a copy shop)Gel mediumFoam brushSmall brayer or spoonWaterRagClear sealer Step 1: Apply Gel Medium Brush a thin, even layer of gel medium over the front side of your photo, making sure it covers the whole surface. Step 2: Smooth and Dry Gently place the photo facedown on the wood. Smooth out any air bubbles with a brayer....

Though not the main reason they are grown, many varieties produce small flowers that grace the attractive foliage. Most often these three-petal blossoms are pink, purple, or white and typically at the stem tips. However, in some species these flowers are at the base of the leaves in oysterlike clusters, hence the common name of oyster plant. Where to Plant Tradescantia If you’re planting tradescantia indoors, put it near a window that gets bright, indirect sunlight....

What Is a Sauté Pan? Start with the right equipment. While you can use a frying pan to sauté, the best option is a real sauté pan. A sauté pan (Bed Bath & Beyond) has sides that are a little higher than the sides of a frying pan. This helps keep food from spilling out as it’s shaken, stirred, and flipped. Sauté pans come in a variety of materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, and enameled cast iron....

For shady gardens, include plants with chartreuse foliage as focal points to add the illusion of light to the area. Or add drama to your design by using eye-catching foliage to make a statement. Mass groupings of Japanese forest grass and ‘Angelina’ sedum pair beautifully with the burgundy foliage of mondo grass to create a flowing effect in the garden. There are lots of plants with chartreuse foliage or flowers that would work in your landscape....