| March 2010 |
Go with the flow |
| Fountains are magical! The moment you install a pump complete with a statuette and spray, or a pump with a fountainhead that just breaks the surface of the water in a pond, you create a wonderfully dynamic effect. Fountains are also supremely practical, in that the movement enriches the water with oxygen. |
Decorative and practical uses of fountains Ornamental fountains A standard fountain pump comes complete with an extension pipe and a selection of fountainhead spray nozzles.You... |more| |
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| February 2010 |
DIY home The new cubism |
| If you can build a box, you can build almost anything. Build 10 boxes, and you can furnish a room. |
If you’re looking for a way to flex your DIY muscles, then bust out the tools, because we’ve got the perfect woodworking project. It’s possible to build a fun and versatile contemporary furniture... |more| |
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| January 2010 |
DIY Home Q+A |
| Advice on hanging large pictures, repairing dents in oak floors and erratic icemakers. |
The big pictureQ. I want to hang a large picture in my living room, but I cant seem to find heavy-duty hooks to attach to the frame. My local hardware and art-supply... |more| |
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All decked out |
| One of the very few nice things about the economic downturn is the willingness of specialist contractors to actually turn up when you ask them for a quote – yes, even as the festive season looms. Now’s the time to take advantage of the phenomenon and get that deck you’ve always wanted. Hey – we’ve just had a thought: why not build it yourself? |
Before getting out the tools, we suggest you sit down with a piece of paper and sketch a rough outline of the deck you want. For starters, think of it as an outdoor living room (personal... |more| |
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| December 2009 |
DIY Working in stone |
| Basalt and schist inspired centuries of grumbling – and artistry. But, worked with steel, muscle and heart, rough-hewn rock can also become a gift. |
When I was growing up in New England, it seemed there was always a rock lurking just below the ground’s surface. It frustrated the smallest job, like driving a tent peg, and often sabotaged larger... |more| |
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| November 2009 |
DIY home Q+A |
| Go on, raise your own chickens... |
Q My husband and I are thinking of raising a few chickens to provide eggs, but we want to make sure we’re not getting in over our heads. Could you give us some general guidelines on chicken... |more| |
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| October 2009 |
To build a boat |
| Before the spaceship or the car or the covered wagon, explorers crafted seagoing vessels. We felt adventurous. So, using old plans, hand tools and a cramped garage as a shop, we got to work. |
It was a long time since anyone in my family had built a boat. The last was my Uncle Paul. He was a shipbuilder who learned his trade beginning at age 14 in Hamburg, Germany. Every morning, the boy... |more| |
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| September 2009 |
The budge factor |
| Big loads don’t always call for big machines. Basic know-how backed by simple tools can move almost anything. |
The human race is industrious, but we don’t like to work any harder than we have to. The details are lost to history now, but somebody, somewhere, noticed that sliding a mammoth haunch was less... |more| |
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| July 2009 |
DIY Window dressing |
| Build these quick, simple flower boxes and watch the front of your house come to life. |
A lush window box spilling blooms can boost your home’s appearance in ways that a new paint job or manicured lawn don’t quite equal. I’m building six for my 15-year-old house – and after cranking up... |more| |
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| May 2009 |
Finding your inner garage |
| With some creativity and elbow grease, a garage can be a lot more than just a place to park cars. |
With no suitable space inside their house, Tanya and Laurence Brown eyed their garage when they decided to add a home gym. “We both like to exercise,” Laurence says, “but ever since we had our first... |more| |
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