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“Stainless steel looked futuristic,” says Dr. Anna Ruth Gatlin, assistant professor of interior design at Auburn University who teaches a course on the history of interior design. “In the 2000s, we were living in an age of rapid technological advancements, and we wanted that reflected in our homes.” The Journey to American Kitchens Stainless steel was invented in 1913 for use as a corrosion-resistant material for gun barrels. In the 1920s, stainless steel was used in the manufacture of cutlery, tools, and surgical scalpels....

How to Hard-Cook Eggs (aka How to Hard-Boil Eggs) on the Stove You’re not technically boiling the eggs so hard-cooked eggs is the more accurate term, but you are bringing water to a boil. Whatever you call it, here’s how to do it: Test Kitchen Tip: Do not stack eggs, this will alter the cooking time and could result in eggs being cooked to different levels of doneness. How to Make Steamed Hard-Boiled Eggs This is the technique getting all the praise....

Note: The overall dimensions for this project are dependent on the size of the cooler. Our cooler measures 22 inches long by 13 inches wide by 11 inches tall. We sized the inside of the cabinet to be slightly larger so it’s easy to remove the cooler for cleaning or draining. Adjust the dimensions to accommodate the size of your cooler.

This wooden shelving unit is easy to build without any specialty tools or jigs. Plus it utilizes inexpensive, simple-to-find materials that will save you money and time. Get started on your DIY garage shelves today to maximize your space. How to Choose a Size for Garage Shelves The dimensions of this shelf are designed to yield the biggest shelf while wasting as little wood as possible. However, the depth, width, and height are fully customizable....

Who Was St. Lucy? Santa Lucia’s Day originated in Scandinavian countries. Legend has it that St. Lucy would secretly bring food to persecuted Christians in Rome hiding in the catacombs, wearing candles on her head to keep her hands free and illuminate the way. In fact, the name Lucia comes from the Latin word “lux”, meaning “light”. Today, there are St. Lucy dolls (remember the iconic Kirsten American Girl Doll?), figurines, and ornaments....

Luckily, there are many options when it comes to cooling down a room that doesn’t have air conditioning. For starters, you can cover windows with an awning, shutters, or insulated curtains. In addition to installing an oversized ceiling or using floor fans, you can also try energy-efficient lightbulbs or heat-proofing your bed. Here are creative tricks for cooling your home through the summer months without air conditioning. 1. Cover Windows Leaving your windows uncovered during the sunniest hours of the day lets in a considerable amount of heat....

1. Corral a Collection Use your countertops as a place to house your culinary collections—whether cookbooks, cutting boards, or platters leaned against the backsplash for display. Handed-down wooden spoons, a stack of collected dishes, and etched drinking glasses on a small tray can also provide a moment of interest or a conversation spark when guests gather in the kitchen. Just refer to the less-is-more mentality so your kitchen countertops don’t become cluttered....

When to Get Rid of Old Paint The good news is that paint lasts a long time when it’s properly stored indoors, away from temperature extremes, and with the lid securely in place. In fact, latex paint can last up to 10 years when stored properly, and oil-base (or alkyd) paint can remain usable for up to 15 years. So before you get rid of old paint, pop the lid and take a whiff....

Issues with Baking at a High Altitude Why would an elevation change affect baking? Baking is a science that relies on interactions between flour, fats, liquid, and leavening, and elevation is a significant factor in each of those areas during the baking process. A few of the main problems that arise in baking at higher altitudes include: High-Altitude Baking Adjustments There are also ways that certain ingredients, oven temperature, and cooking time can affect your baking....

How to Freeze Layer Cakes Layer cakes can be a little easier to freeze and store than sheet cakes because you don’t have to clear out as much space in your freezer for them. Here’s how to freeze cake layers: Remove the cakes from their pans and let them cool completely on wire racks. Wrap each cake layer individually in plastic wrap, making sure it’s as airtight as possible (this helps keep the cake moist and prevents freezer burn)....

The Best Way to Grill Asparagus? You’ve Got Options! Should you barbecue asparagus in foil, wrap it in bacon, put it in a grill basket, or simply place it directly on the grill rack? Any of these methods will work great! We’ll show you how to grill asparagus using the method you prefer. Before you get started, thoroughly wash and trim the asparagus. Then cook according to one of the methods below....

Unless you plan to cover the header and rim joists with cedar or a similar fascia, select the straightest, most knot-free, and least blemished boards for them. Square the ends before measuring. Predrill all the holes for fasteners so you don’t split the ends, and take care to avoid dinging the wood when nailing or leaving protruding screw heads. If a screw won’t seat properly the first time, draw it back about 1-1/2 inches and drive it again....

The first step in adding a ceiling fan is to inspect the existing electrical box. Shut off power to the circuit. Test to confirm that the power is off and remove the existing ceiling fixture. Most building codes require ceiling fans to be mounted on special fan-rated boxes, which are made of metal or strong plastic and have deep-threaded holes for the mounting screws. The box must be mounted firmly, either by attaching it directly to a framing member or by using a fan-rated brace....

In a basic laundry room, supply pipes branch off to provide hot and cold water to both the utility sink and the washing machine. The machine’s drain hose clips to the side of the utility sink, which has a P-trap that connects to a house drain line. To hook up a washing machine to hot and cold water and a drain, you’ll need to install washing machine valves. These valves look like outdoor hose bibs but point straight down....

Part of the fun of making apple pie is it allows you more flexibility than the standard frozen pie you’d buy. Do it yourself, and you can customize with your pick of our apple pie filling ideas, use your choice of apples, and choose your favorite crust. We’ll walk you through all the totally doable steps of making homemade apple pie. Just be sure to have the vanilla ice cream ready for all of the a la mode action....

However, it’s important to remember that trying to store too much stuff in your tiny kitchen will make it feel even smaller, so decluttering is often a necessary first step. Pare down your collection of cookware, dishes, glassware, small appliances, utensils, and other items, keeping only those you actually need and use on a regular basis. Then apply these small kitchen storage ideas to make the most of the space you’ve got....

The retailer has a gorgeous array of over 300 pieces crafted with airy fabrics, bright colors, and seasonal prints. If refreshing your home is on your spring cleaning to-do list—or even if you’re just in the mood to swap your dark, heavy curtains for a light, floral set—Walmart has it. Take the Better Homes & Gardens Flowing Jacobean Printed Sheer Window Panel, which are semi-sheer to let a bit of filtered spring sun into your living space....

October is a time to celebrate cultures around the world, as we observe Filipino American History Month, Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, and Polish American Heritage Month. And of course, there are plenty of fun food-theme holidays, like International Coffee Day, National Pasta Day, and National Boston Cream Pie Day. With something new to observe each day, October is sure to be full of fun and meaningful celebrations. Monthly Observances in October ADHD Awareness Month American Archives Month American Pharmacist Month Blind Awareness Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month Down Syndrome Awareness Month Dyslexia Awareness Month Eczema Awareness Month Fair Trade Month Filipino American History Month Health Literacy Month Healthy Lung Month International Walk to School Month Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month LGBTQ+ History Month Liver Cancer Awareness Month National Apple Month National Arts and Humanities Month National Bullying Prevention Month National Chiropractic Month National Dental Hygiene Month National Domestic Violence Awareness Month National Orthodontic Health Month National Physical Therapy Month National Pasta Month National Pizza Month National Pork Month National Seafood Month Polish American Heritage Month Popcorn Poppin’ Month SIDS Awareness Month Spina Bifida Awareness Month World Menopause Month Vegetarian Awareness Month...

These Christmas yard decoration ideas will be the envy of the neighborhood this season. Coordinate your outdoor Christmas decor with your inside pieces so it feels like a continuation of your style, or use this opportunity to try out a whole new look.