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Fixing the Window Sash Not necessarily. Instead of investing in a complete window replacement, you can buy and install a far less expensive window sash replacement kit. Key architectural elements such as the trim, casing, and window frame remain in place, with only the top or bottom sashes being replaced. With this kit, you’ll bypass the labor-intensive job of completely replacing the broken or poorly performing window by fixing only the part that needs fixing: the window sash....

This wood paneling made a point of announcing that it was wood. No real wood could ever look so wood-like as these panels of cherry, oak, beech, or other showy wood species. In some cases, the visible part was indeed real wood—a thin slice of wood veneer atop the pressed board. But many were cheaper panels that used a plastic-paper laminate film to convey the impression of wood. Wood paneling has gone around and come back again....

Gradually, wood flooring retailers stopped carrying a wide selection of parquet tiles, and today there are only a few major sources for wood parquet floor tiles. Some of the major manufacturers of wood parquet, such as Bruce, sell limited stock of parquet or have discontinued their product lines, although you may be able to find some inventory offered for sale at some outlets. You can, however, find more offerings for vinyl flooring with a wood parquet design than you can actual wood parquet tiles....

The caffeine-infused leaves have been used for many centuries to make a brewed beverage similar to tea. First consumed by indigenous Guaraní people in Paraguay, Mate has become a common drink in many South American countries. It’s now also produced in Brazil and Argentina and is slowly growing in popularity in other parts of the world. The thick, dark leaves provide color and interest year-round, and small white flowers also blossom in late fall and early winter....

If you keep your rose bushes healthy with plenty of sunlight, food, and water, you should encounter few problems, no matter what type of rose you’re growing. However, even though roses are sometimes considered to be the queen of flowers, even the queen can experience problems and need some outside help. A single aphid is not a big threat, but aphid colonies can grow shockingly quickly, and you will easily be able to see them on the plants....

Love sconces? “Skip the hardwiring or unsightly cords of a plug in sconce and use a battery operated light bulb or puck light instead,” designer Elizabeth Burch suggests. No hefty electrician bill required!

DIY Garden Planter & Bird Bath from Home Stories A to Z Recycled Glassware Bird Bath from Flea Market Gardening Teapot Bird Bath Garden Art from Morena’s Corner Homemade Bird Bath from DecoArt Stacked Stone Bird Bath from Our Fairfield Home & Garden Thrifted Glass Lid Hanging Bird Bath from Sadie Seasongoods Cute Serving Bowl Bird Bath from HomeJelly DIY Lamp Into Orange Bird Bath from Thrifty Rebel Vintage DIY Tomato Cage Bird Bath from My Life Abundant DIY Bird Bath Restoration from Following the Master Gardener

Baking Soda Baking soda works as a mild abrasive, helping to gently scrub things that need to be scrubbed. The benefit of scrubbing with baking soda is that it won’t scratch and damage most delicate surfaces. Baking soda also works well to remove smelly odors, making it a prime candidate for a bathroom and kitchen cleaner. Baking soda is a great stain remover and can be used to help soften loads of laundry....

Succulents are some of the easiest plants to care for as they require very little attention, making them great for gardeners of all skill levels. These versatile plants can tolerate growing both indoors and outdoors, although most are not frost-tolerant. As with most succulents, echeverias require bright light, infrequent watering, and well-draining soil in order to thrive. Echeveria is a large genus, with approximately 150 species and more than 1,000 cultivars....

A sink auger consists of a flexible stainless steel cable with a corkscrew tip at the end. The cable is coiled within a drum canister and is extended into a drain to reach a clog and clear it. The drum has a handle, and there’s a thumbscrew that locks the cable to the canister, and when you insert the cable into the drain and turn the handle, the rotating drum snakes the cable through bends in the drain pipe, allowing the cable tip to penetrate clogs and pull them out....

Have a foaming soap dispenser? You can use shampoo to make your own foaming soap refill, too. Just dilute the shampoo even further. Also try: Add baking soda to a bottle of shampoo to create your own mechanic’s/gardener’s soap. Tip: Mix shampoo and conditioner together (or use a two-in-one) to give your skin an extra boost of moisture. Tip: Boost the effectiveness of the shampoo by adding a bit of baking soda....

Wear Real Clothes Not your best clothes of course, but not pajamas. Really getting dressed down to comfy shoes can help tell your mind that you’ve got work to do. If you start cleaning in your sweatpants and house shoes, it may be more difficult to take the work seriously, and therefore get it done quickly. Set a Deadline Invite someone over for dinner. You’ll be more motivated to clean because you have to get it done by a certain time....

Here are our favorite color (and texture) combinations that go with gorgeous green.

Most junipers offer at least some level of drought resistance, making them a good choice in more arid climates. But precautions should be taken in areas prone to wildfires. Junipers grow best in sunny spots with good soil drainage. Many people pick common juniper (Juniperus communis) as one of the best junipers for landscaping, but other varieties can be just as beautiful. Many species are dioecious, meaning plants produce male or female parts but not both....

Does your pint-sized kitchen leave you starved for storage and counter space? These room-expanding ideas will show you how to use every square inch of your kitchen more efficiently. This hanging unit shown above allows some of your frequently used items to hang out above your counter space. This also makes navigating the kitchen easier by ​keeping cookware, dishes, and utensils within easy reach. The dashing red backsplash shown here from Bunker Workshop is a one-of-a-kind design....

Here are 14 of the best vegetables and herbs to grow that can continue your harvest by self-sowing. USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11Light: Full, partialSoil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained, acidic to neutralMature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 1.5 feet wideDays to Maturity: 40Deer Resistant: No USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11Light: Full, partialSoil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained, acidic to neutralMature Size: 0.5 to 2 feet tall, 0....

Know your home’s architectural style. Is it Midcentury Modern, Colonial, Georgian, or maybe Spanish? Get smart about your region’s climate and local environmental issues that might affect your landscaping choices, like water rationing in a drought zone or planting annuals that will have to be changed out every couple of months. Look at it through the eyes of a first-time visitor. Is it easy to find?Does it say “welcome”?Does it stand out, like in a bad way?...

Water lilies can produce white, purple, pink, blue, yellow, orange, red, and peach blooms. depending on their variety. These plants also produce their iconic lily pad foliage. Not only do they beautify the area, but they clean the water and provide shelter for aquatic animals and fish. USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy (3-11), Tropical (9-11)Flower Color Varieties: Red, pink, purple, peach, blue, white, yellow, orange Light: Full to partial Soil Needs: Submerged, loamy, neutral to alkaline soilMature Size: 2-12 inches above water, 2-8 feet wideDeer Resistant: No...

You’re sure to find some that work no matter what number of girls you have invited over. There are classic games like Truth and Dare, vintage games like M.A.S.H., and new ideas like blindfolded makeovers. Even if your daughter doesn’t want sleepover games, these are some great ideas to keep in your back pocket if the slumber party needs a little life breathed into it. Truth or Dare from Mom of 6 Parents magazine has a slightly different version called Musical Manicures that involves passing the bottles of nail polish until the music stops instead of using a spinner....