Do you need a simple, yet attractive way to move about your yard or garden? Stepping stones create a very natural looking walkway through a garden or to the front door of your home. There are a multitude of materials that can be used as stepping stones, everything from large flat field stones that you have unearthed from your gardens to flag stone or the manufactured stepping stones found at the local garden shop. These represent only a few of the choices that you have available. For complete...
The durability and aesthetic characteristics of brick patios and walkways make for the foundation of great spaces around your home. While installing brick walks and patios is not a difficult task, it may be rather time consuming depending on the size of the patio or walkway. When laying brick that will be walked on it is necessary to use paving quality bricks. These bricks are generally fired longer and at a higher temperature making them more suitable for a variety of weather conditions and ...
Pedestal sinks have remained popular as a more formal and stylish alternative to countertop sinks. Despite their popularity, however, it can be difficult to choose the correct type of sink and install it properly.
By now, most of you have updated to the new Xbox look. Just as expected, it's got some great new features. The dashboard looks great and Bing integration is awesome, but I'm very unhappy about the new Netflix interface. It's awkward, slow, and half of the items don't even load correctly. I can't even play some movies. And the instant play feature is kind of annoying. When I first chose a video, I was hoping when it instantly started playing that it was a trailer, à la Zune. Alas, no.
Sanding sealers, also called first-coat sealers by some manufacturers, are recommended when refinishing furniture. Although using a sanding sealer is a good step to take regardless of the type of stain you are using, it is especially necessary when using water-based stains. Apply the sanding sealer after you have bleached your furniture, but before you have applied the stain. Sanding sealers provide an important barrier to keep the wood pitch and stain from bleeding into the water-based topco...
This tutorial will guide you through the process digging the deck post holes and then mixing and pouring the concrete. Before the concrete completely sets, you will then position the precast concrete piers.
Installing the decking joists the will provide the framing platform for the deck boards is the seventh step in our series on building your deck. Before you can install the joists, the ledger should be in place along the house and the girders should be secured to the posts. The joists will be anchored to the house via the ledger and then supported by the girders. Take careful measurements, cut carefully, and be sure that your joists are very sturdy before moving on to the next steps. For compl...
Most likely you have planned one or two flights of stairs from your deck to the surrounding yard. Steps can be built a number of different ways depending on your aesthetic preference, however most municipalities have specific codes that must be taken into consideration when you design and build your steps. For instance, many cities require a minimum width of 3 feet for the stairs.
Deck railings are important to both the safety and the aesthetic appearance of your deck. In other words, a railing is the perfect blend of "strength and beauty."
Stripping furniture or woodwork can be like a treasure hunt, revealing a beautiful wood surface beneath old paint and varnish. An old finish can be removed mechanically using a sander, but you run the risk of sanding off fine detail and contours in the woodwork. Chemical stripping enables you to soften the finish and then remove it with a scraper. Chemical stripper will remove most painted, shellacked or varnished finishes. For complete, step-by-step instructions for this DIY project, watch t...
The key to a great looking door casing, and a great looking door, is perfectly mitered corners. If you have just installed a new door that needs a casing around it or you have decided to replace the casing around an existing door, you can achieve professional results quite easily. This tutorial will help you get there by sharing a little secret - completely assemble your casing before you install it. You can also use this technique on window casings. For complete, step-by-step instructions fo...
Installing a deadbolt is a relatively quick and simple do-it-yourself project. You can make your home much safer – and less attractive to thieves --- with a little effort and a few simple tools.
Roof ventilation principles are very straightforward -- a cool attic is a happy attic! You need to create a flow of air that enters the overhang of your roof through soffit vents, then flows straight up through the rafters and out through a ridge vent. To help facilitate airflow, it may be necessary to install a thermostat-controlled exhaust fan.
Ceramic tile floors offer a very attractive and durable alternative to other floor finishes. They come in many different sizes and colors to match the décor of any room and they can provide years of maintenance-free use. Additionally, ceramic tiles are fairly easy to install. Ceramic tiles have one major prerequisite – you must have a smooth and rigid sub-floor to support the installation. Ceramic tiles are not flexible in the least, so they can crack if installed over a rough surface or thin...
Installing a chair rail will create a dramatic addition to any room. A chair rail is basically a piece of molding that runs along the middle of your room's perimeter. Not only does a chair rail protect your walls from furniture, but it can be a creative addition to your interior design, as well.
Taping drywall is almost an art form. It takes practice and a lot of patience. A good taper can hide any mistakes that were made in hanging the drywall. To finish drywall, you must tack into place corner bead to all corners. Then, apply joint compound to all seams, nail and screw holes and corners. When joint compound dries – it shrinks. Therefore, 3 coats of compound will be needed with sanding in between coats. For complete, step-by-step instructions for this DIY project, watch this friendl...
Applying topcoat is the final step in successfully refinishing your furniture piece. Water-Based Polyurethane Topcoats are strong, durable and are favored because they dry crystal clear, allowing the beauty of the wood grain to show.
Vinyl wall base molding is an easy-to-install substitute for wood baseboard molding. In areas that you have installed a vinyl or carpeted floor, vinyl wall base molding is a very decorative and functional option for surrounding the room perimeter. You have several color choices that can provide a nice accent to the colors and design of the entire room. Because it is pliable and resilient, it is easy to install and resistant to scuffs and scrapes that can occur over time. Ideal applications ar...
While concrete driveways look nice when they are new, over time the concrete can chip, crack and crumble. Cracks and potholes form due to the freezing and thawing of water that has seeped under the driveway through smaller cracks, weed or grass growth in small cracks, and general wear and tear. Regular maintenance will prevent the need to replace the existing driveway. This is usually easy to do and requires up to a half day to complete depending on the condition and size of your repairs. For...
A pond can add a dramatic, yet tranquil touch to your yard or garden. Your pond can be constructed in many different sizes and shapes, all which can reflect a part of you. Installing a pond may take a little time and effort, but if done right the result will be enjoyed for many years to come. This article will show you in easy steps how to add this water feature to your backyard. Springtime is the best time to install a pond as you can start planting and stocking your pond immediately after y...
Do you want to level a steep slope on your property or enclose an area for a decorative garden? Building a concrete block retaining wall is easier than you may think.
Welcome to Minecraft World! Check out our tutorials, post to the community corkboard, and come play on our free server!
Null Byte is looking for moderators! In today's Null Byte, we're hacking Netflix. As most of you know, Netflix is a subscription service that streams movies and TV shows to your devices over the internet. A common stance amongst my Xbox Live friends is that Netflix isn't worth the cost. The instant movies predominantly consist of old titles, and new movies aren't added often enough.
This week saw the release of Gears of War 3's most extensive DLC to date: RAAM's Shadow. Having played the first hour or so of the single-player component, I have to say that it is very good. The story serves as a prequel to the first game in the series, taking place right after Emergence Day. While it's a little pricey at 1200 MSP (or $15 in actual money), the amount of content you get in RAAM's Shadow makes up for the initial investment. It's also one of the best Xbox 360-exclusive DLCs out...
Netflix and Redbox are each amazing ideas and executions of great ideas. Here are 2 info graphics that show you their paths to destruction.
If you happened to be watching Brazil vs. Portugal, you might have noticed something weird in keeper Julio Cesar's back after he and Meirelles collided. It was some kind of steel rod support for his injured back. According to FIFA article 4, it's illegal for players to wear any kind of equipment that can be dangerous to the player wearing it or to others. This is the reason players can't wear chains around their necks, or rings in their fingers, since these things can get caught with other pl...
After over three years of waiting, we finally can stream Netflix on our Nintendo Wii. This is several years after it was available on Microsoft's XBOX 360 and a year or so since it came to PS3.
Not every country gets the same TV shows and movies on Netflix, and there are definitely differences between the American version of Netflix and other regions, such as Canada (where I live). So, it's not surprise that people are looking to "unlock" that content.
Color On The Walls By: Teresa Duarte Once Upon a time there was a un'corn
There are only so many things you can store in the refrigerator, especially if you are sharing it with other people. So, what are some things you absolutely have to store in the refrigerator? And what are some things you can get away with storing at room temperature on your pantry shelves?
Lady Gaga made an appearance at this year's CES to present what she claims to be "the camera of the future": a pair of photo and video capturing sunglasses, designed by Gaga for Polaroid. Though more of a novelty gadget than a useful camera, the GL20 camera glasses could potentially turn your face into a real life facebook feed.
Serious Eats' latest Meet and Eat features Todd Barricklow, creator of the Taco Bike, an eco-friendly alternative to the fast growing food truck industry. The 200+ pound bike is equipped with a propane tank, three sectioned griddle, water tank, heat exchanger, wash sink, wastewater hold, ice holder and sectioned food area, trash can, napkin holder, table, money drop, chopping boards and more.
You can get Alien Swarm for free on Steam starting today. Alien Swarm is a 4 person co-op adventure with an updated Source engine and the ability to create custom levels. Think of this as a top view Left 4 Dead or Killing Floor, but with aliens. Too bad they are not zombie aliens, but it's a free game so we can't complain.
via Cracked Think Disney came up with all those fairytales on its own? No way. The Mouse House single-handedly ripped off dozens of classic tales, turning adult fare into kid-friendly cartoons!
Cobbled together from thousands of empty cigarette packs, this electric-powered vehicle puts the "car" in carcinogen. Looking suspiciously like something the China National Tobacco Corporation would commission as part of an advertising campaign, the Bugatti Veyron-style auto is actually meant to discourage smoking. The English-language version of the People's Daily offers the following explanation:
LA's Green Compassionate Music Festival World Fest is a solar powered celebration of music, the environment, animals and humanity. The event promotes things we can do to help the earth and its inhabitants.
Cyclists and unknowing vehicle participants "collaborated" on a public guerilla graffiti art piece in Berlin this last week.
After you have your PlayStation 3, you should set up your PlayStation Network account so you can fully benefit from PS3 games. In this video walkthrough, tour everything game related for download onto your PS3. Discover exclusive titles, demos, themes and add-ons to enhance your gaming experience. The PlayStation Store is a simple, user-friendly interface that's easy to use. Download games on your PS3 from the PlayStation Store.
Want a tattoo that's daytime work-safe (invisible), but nighttime party-friendly (UV blacklight)? At first sight it may be hard to believe these tattoos are real, but in fact, they are. UV light tattoos are the perfect way to hide it from mom.
"Skimboarding in a Storm" displays some ultra cool camerawork, employing the relatively cheap and user friendly GoPro camera (also used in the clever Kitchen Timer Panning Time Lapse Hack).
