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May 2012

May 2012

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TRANSFORM YOUR HOME WITH COLOR

ALL ABOUT Exterior paint

By Thomas Baker12 min

idea file

Hostas!

By Sal vaglica9 min

weekend remodel

How to build a pathway lamppost

By JOSEPH TRUINI7 min

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TRANSFORM YOUR HOME WITH COLOR

ALL ABOUT Exterior paint

Nothing freshens up the outside of a house faster or more cost-effectively than new paint. Here’s our expert advice on choosing the best formulations for your siding type, selecting the most eyecatching colors, and getting long-lasting results

By Thomas Baker12 min

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idea file

Hostas!

These leafy perennials are showy, shade tolerant, and a cinch to grow—and new varieties offer a wider-than-ever range of leaf color, size texture. Read on to learn how to pick and plant them to create a sensational landscape

By Sal vaglica9 min

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weekend remodel

How to build a pathway lamppost

Pick up some stock cedar and a hanging lantern to construct a CUStom garden fixture

By JOSEPH TRUINI7 min

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idea file

Is your home due for a checkup?

Having a top-to-bottom inspection done every five to seven years or after a string of improvements can alert you to red flags that could turn costly—or dangerous—if left undiscovered

By Joe D’Agnese6 min

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THE POWER OF COLOR

Spring brings renewal—and open windows—which makes it the perfect time to paint. Infusing rooms with color remains the easiest, least expensive way to give a home a whole new look, and this spring, color experts are forecasting bolder choices than ever, from burnt orange and Caribbean blue to high-noon yellow and grass green.

By DEBORAH BALDWIN6 min

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ask this old house

Why does electrical tape come in different colors? —WINSTON CHIN, CHARLOTTE, N.C, A When electricians work with more than one hot wire, we tag each one with a colored vinyl tape to quickly identify which wire is which. We don’t put green or white tape on hot wire, however; those go only on ground and neutral wires, respectively.
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ask this old house

The destroyers

There’s no thrill quite like tearing down a wall. These cordless reciprocating saws, with lightweight 18-volt batteries, compact designs, and smart features, keep the debris—and the fun—flying, -SAL VAGLICA RIDGID R8641 $270, 7.6 pounds;

By SAL VAGLICA5 min

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landscaping

Take more artful garden photos

’Tis the season to take pics of your green space and record your yard’s transformation. Bonus: You’ll be all set with images to enter in next year’s TOH Reader Remodel Contest

By JEANNE HUBER4 min

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in every issue

directory

Cover: Painted cabinet: SW6926 Lucky Green (exterior) and SW6703 Frolic (interior), Sherwin-Williams: sherwin-williams.com. Home Solutions: (pp. 21-28) Shelter songbirds: Thanks to David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation;
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salvage style

Add a lived-in look with vintage wood

Used for furniture or as finishing touches, such as trim or wall paneling, reclaimed beams and boards impart a timeworn patina even to new rooms

By AMY R. HUGHES4 min

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