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November 2003

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Who says walls have to be white? Here’s how to conquer your fear of color

You’ve decided to paint. You head to your local home-improvement center, plant yourself in front of a brightly lit wall that features hundreds of color chips—and panic sets in. How will you ever be able to select that one terrific color for your house from this vast array?

By JILL KIRCHNER SIMPSON9 min

Ask THIS OLD HOUSE

We just love our house, which we designed and built in 1993, but we have a problem with ice dams. We’ve checked attic insulation levels, installed continuous ridge and soffit vents, and even paid an expert $500 to find heat leaks using infrared thermography.

HOMEOWNER'S HANDBOOK

Installing Window Shades

Decorative shades are a great choice in window coverings for rooms throughout your house because they let you easily control light and privacy, and in some cases even provide a touch of insulation. What’s more, they’re very easy to install—even if home improvement isn’t your strong suit.

By JOSEPH TRUINI6 min

LETTERS

I would like to add a suggestion to Roger Cook’s comments in “Get Ready for Fall” [September 2003] when he recommends pulling most perennials that have finished blooming— including black-eyed Susans and purple coneflowers. While that may give the landscape a neater appearance, if left for a short while longer into the fall, the seeds in these flowers’ pods attract many birds.

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Norm’s Notebook

Leverage Block When you’re removing nails from a piece of trim that you want to reuse, the last thing you want to do is dent the wood. So before you yank, slip a scrap block under the hammer head or pry bar and use the block as a fulcrum while you lever out the unwanted fastener.

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November 2003

November 2003