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How to Paint a Brick Fireplace

Must-Have Baking Tools These are the tools you absolutely need in your kitchen, the ones you’ll reach for more often than you think. Whether you’re baking a cake or stirring up a batch of cookies, make sure you have these tools on hand before getting started. 1. Measuring Cups (Liquid and Dry) and Spoons Baking is all about precision, so having a full set of measuring cups and spoons on hand is a must....

Test Kitchen Tip: Prepare this easy cold dessert up to a week ahead of time and store in your freezer until ready to serve.

Editor’s Tip: If the first layer of color isn’t bright enough, apply a second coat. Let the picture dry entirely before framing. Editor’s Tip: Fill holes by snipping and gluing individual pom-poms from extra trim. Add green plants that create hilarious-looking hairdos. Editor’s Tip: Before adhering the photos to the tiles, make sure they’re clean to avoid any dirt or dust in your photos. Repeat with paint chips in different colors to create a fun wall display....

Test Kitchen Tip: If you do not have a spiralizer, thinly slice potatoes, then cut into narrow matchsticks. Thanksgiving Side Dish Tip: Look for verjuice at your local specialty grocery store or from an online seller.

No matter if your rooms are big or small, having the right furniture arrangement will make them more enjoyable. Check out our layout examples, plus tricks for living rooms, family rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms. Knowing how to arrange furniture can help you navigate how a room will be used.

Editor’s Tip: If you’re using a porous vase, like these clay pots, put the branches in a jar filled with water before placing in the pots. Buy It: Beaded Cake Stand White (Target) Editor’s Tip: For more fall flavor, tuck brightly colored leaves or berries amid the corks. Make sure any flammable elements are protected from the candle flame. Editor’s Tip: If you prefer orange pumpkins, create a similar monochromatic look with miniature orange pumpkins, bittersweet sprigs, and an orange pillar candle....

How to Make French Fries by Frying Go ahead and gather the ingredients (potatoes, oil, and salt is all!) and follow these simple steps to make four servings of crispy french fries in minutes. Prepare the Potatoes It doesn’t take much, just some straight-as-possible cuts for fries that will fry evenly. Start with 4 medium baking potatoes (or sweet potatoes), or about 1½ pounds total. Peel potatoes if desired. To prevent peeled potatoes from darkening, immerse them in a bowl of ice water....

Editor’s Tip: To make this arrangement last longer, place flowers in a vase of water that fits snugly within the gourd. Editor’s Tip: To press leaves, place them between layers of newspaper and under a heavy stack of books. Let the leaves dry for a couple of days. Then, to enhance their color, iron the leaves between pieces of waxed paper, using a pressing cloth to keep the wax off the iron....

4 Easy Ways to Get Started with Smart Lighting If a state-of-the-art whole-house automation makeover is outside your comfort zone or budget, don’t worry. There are still small ways you can try smart-home technology. Use these simple steps for integrating smart lighting into your home. 1. Choose an Assistant 2. Start with Smart Lightbulbs Switching out a lightbulb is the easiest way to dip your toes into smart-home options. Screw a smart bulb, such as the Philips Dimmable Connected Bulb, $11 at The Home Depot, into an existing fixture, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and start experimenting with using the app to control the light....

Instructions: Pack solid vegetable shortening or butter into dry measures to eliminate air spaces. Level the top with a knife blade. Measuring spoons should be dry when used. Scoop your ingredient to overflowing, then level with a table knife. Narrow spoons that fit easily into spice jars are a wise choice. Measure flour by gently spooning it into your cup. Don’t pack down the flour. Slide a knife blade over the rim to level, letting excess fall back into the bag....

All you need is a happy color palette, a neutral canvas upon which to build, and these tips from Better Homes & Gardens stylemakers and sisters Niña Williams and Cecilia Moyer. Follow their helpful tips to step out of the box and refresh your bedroom this spring. 1. Swap Out Sheets Trade neutral bedding for cozy, breathable cotton sheets in a soft pastel shade to add a layer of color to your bedroom....

Wavy decor was recently called out by Etsy as a top design trend for 2021. The company reported a whopping 28,236% increase in searches for wavy candles and a 5,296% increase in searches for wavy mirrors over the past three months, compared to the same time last year. “As shoppers increasingly look for creative additions to their homes, these wavy decor pieces are eye-catching conversation-starters and add a touch of playfulness to any home,” says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s trend expert....

To protect your home this holiday season, start by hanging or displaying all of your decorations using safe, damage-free methods. And when it’s time to take them down, do so slowly and carefully. These holiday decorating tips will show you how to make your home feel festive and bright without creating a giant mess or inflicting permanent damage on your flooring, walls, windows, woodwork, and more. 1. Protect floors from your Christmas tree....

First, it’s good to know which sort of bug you’re up against. There are a few different types of roaches that like to invade our homes. They include German cockroaches, which get about half an inch long and are a brown color with two darker stripes behind the head. Another common one is the American cockroach, which gets up to 2 inches long and has a reddish-brown color with a yellow patch behind the head....