Author Archives 
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How To Raise Butterflies
5/18/09Want to learn about how a butterfly hatches and grows? Freya Wellin of Chalet Nursery talks about raising butterflies. It’s easy and a great way to educate kids about nature.
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Classic Ranch with a Yard
1/21/09Hidden Potential shows homebuyers (and its viewers) what their dream home could look like before they buy it. In each episode, a homebuyer will look at three very different homes that need renovation. As they tour each home, a design expert will show the homebuyer computer-generated graphics that will showcase the home’s “hidden potential.” In the end, we’ll learn which house the homebuyer chose to turn into their dream home.
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Winter Wake Up for Your Basement
1/21/09A few years ago you finished your basement. You put in all the hard work to make it a perfect retreat and lounge. But you haven’t done a thing with it since. So often, people finish their basements and then forget about any upkeep.
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Upgrade Your Lighting With These Simple Tips
1/21/09When it comes to home decorating, lighting proves just as important as paint color.
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How to Make Concrete & Concrete Blocks
1/20/09The recipe for making concrete is very simple. The ingredients are Portland cement, sand, gravel and water. Sand and gravel are referred to as aggregates. Sometimes other aggregates such as crushed stone or cinders are used. When Portland cement is mixed with water a chemical reaction takes place which makes the cement harden. In doing [...]
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The Controversy Concerning Vent-Free Fireplaces
1/06/09Those who recommend vent-free fireplaces tout their many advantages. A vent-free fireplace can be installed virtually anywhere. A fireplace can be the focal point in the center of a room, without having to be attached to a wall or a ceiling.
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Beginner’s Guide to Understanding House Plans
1/06/09A Floor Plan is a view of a house that would be seen if you were to take a knife and slice the house to see the walls, windows, doors, etc. from the top about mid ways down the walls. This is also called the dimensional plan. Depending on how much detail your builder or local building inspector requires, the minimum set of plans should include the floor plan, exterior elevations, foundation or basement plan, and a roof plan drawn to scale.
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Your Options on Concrete Slab Repair
1/06/09Concrete has to be the most versatile building substance available. You can use it for floors or decks, you can build walls, you can mold it, shape it, even grind and polish it. But when it does start to show its age, it may also be expensive to fix or replace. If at all possible, it’s cheaper to simply repair the existing slab.
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Garage Transformation
11/11/08A cluttered garage becomes an elegant but kid-friendly family room.
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Carpet Tile Ideas
11/04/08Keep a high traffic floor evergreen using replaceable carpet tiles.
