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How to Create an Inspiring Home Office Space

With the start of a new year, it seems like one of the first tasks we look to is making space for productivity and fresh inspiration. A home office is one of those things that so many of us would benefit from, but can't seem to find the square footage for. The good news is that whether you have just one small corner of your den to work with, or an entire designated room, you can carve out a workspace that's all your own just about anywhere you can place a desk.

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First, Consider the Purpose of Your Office Space

Before choosing a spot to set up, it's important to ask yourself what you'll need to accomplish in your office area. Will you need a lot of room for organizing and storing files? Or will you simply need a spot to park your laptop? Knowing this will help you determine how much space to budget for.

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Choose Your Space + Lighting

Ideally, natural light would be key, so look for an open space near a window first. If that isn't an option for you, a lamp or sconce that projects warm, soft light is a good alternative for your desk. If your workspace is small, you may also consider purchasing a floor lamp or a lamp that hangs from the wall to save desk space. Additionally, make sure there is an outlet close by so that you can plug in your lamp or charge your computer as needed.

Choose Your Desk Furniture

If you don't yet have a desk, measure the area you're working with before going shopping. When you set out to find the perfect one, remember that your desk doesn't have to be pricey. Consider searching your local antique market or yard sales around town to find one you can polish up before heading to a furniture store. Even simple, modern desks are easy to find and not too expensive.

Your chair is another important piece of the equation. If you plan to be sitting at your desk for long periods of time, opt for something comfortable and practical. If you prize form over function, choose the chair that speaks to you and simply pad it with a pillow when you find yourself camped out for long periods of time. Before committing to a chair, consider measuring under your desk to make sure you will have plenty of legroom.

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Consider How You'll Stay Organized

When buying office supplies and accent pieces, consider giving everything a designated spot. If you have a larger desk, look for desktop organization such as magazine holders or file folders. For a smaller desk, you may have to get a little more creative with wall or floor space. If you have available wall space, installing shelves, cork squares, wall pouches, or a metal wall grid allows for more open desk space. If you don't have much desk or wall space, you could find a filing cabinet or basket that fits under your desk to store office supplies.

This metal wall grid was originally black, but we spray painted it blue to add some color to the space. After it dried, we cut it down with wire cutters to fit the size of the wall space we had to work with. We fastened it to the wall using two standard nails and the clips that came with it. If you plan to hang heavier items on it, you may consider using anchors as well. A metal wall grid is perfect for keeping notes, reminders and other supplies hanging right where you can see them, without taking up precious desk space.

Consider What Inspires You

One of the most important parts of creating your own office is adding your personality and style into the space. What inspires and motivates you most? Think of colors, books, quotes, art prints, your favorite scented candle or even a plant or two. Create a moodboard with tears from your favorite magazines, all pinned on a cork board. Even personal mementos like photos or cards help make the space yours. Consider adding a rug under your desk to help your workspace feel cozy.

To help start you off on the right foot, we designed this 2019 wall calendar to keep you organized this year!

CLICK TO PRINT: 2019 - 8.5 x 11 Wall Calendar

As you're planning for your home office space, we'd love to know what you plan to include and how you're getting inspired in the new year-let us know in the comments below!

S O U R C E B O O K // Here's where you can find the specific products we used in this blog.

(1) Leather Vertical Wall Pocket – magnolia.com Lamp – amazon.com Art – antique Chair – antique

(2) Desk – cb2.com Chair – antique Stool – antique Pencil holder – antique Floating shelves – cb2.com Accordion Lamp – amazon.com Corkboard – target.com Clock – antique Rug – Crew Collection designed by Joanna Gaines with Loloi

(3) Desk – target.com Chair – antique Art – antique Metal wall grid – amazon.com (spray-painted blue and cut to size) Candle, glass organizers, desk lamp, wall clock – Hearth & Hand collection, target.com Basket – antique Agenda Legal Pad – magnolia.com Letterfolk Mini Oak Board – magnolia.com Rug – Kennedy Collection designed by Joanna Gaines with Loloi

The post How to Create an Inspiring Home Office Space appeared first on Magnolia.

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Roofstock hires former Tesla executive to run operations

Rapidly growing real estate investment company Roofstock has tapped a former Tesla executive to help run and scale up operations.

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The Cost of Living in Raleigh, NC

These days it seems everyone is looking for the amenities of city living while maintaining that small-town feel. They want to run into folks they know at the coffee shop and become a “regular” at the restaurant around the corner. All this, access to top-notch universities, and an agreeable climate have made Raleigh, North Carolina, […]

The post The Cost of Living in Raleigh, NC appeared first on Unpakt Blog.

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Bedside Reading Lamps With Edgy and Quirky Designs

Bedside table lamps are an implicit must-have feature, the reason for that being the fact that they simply change the whole ambiance and dynamic of the room. They're practical not just as reading lights but also as ambient lighting modules which create a cozy, warm and welcoming atmosphere in the bedroom. In other words, a bedroom without bedside reading lighting is incomplete and lacks character. That being said, it's natural to want your bedroom lamps to look nice and to have quirky features so we've put together a list of products that might be to your taste.

Table lamps with glass bases are pretty well-suited for bedside tables seeing how delicate their designs can be. If you're looking something with a modern, sculptural appearance check out some of the designs that Porta Romana offers, such as the Perfume Bottle Lamp or the Coffee Bean Lamp.

The table version of the Rivalto lamp has a tall lampshade with a plissé crown which gives it a delicate appearance perfectly-suited for the bedroom. The white interior helps the lamp shine bright while also contributing to its timeless and elegant appearance.

Since bedside table lamps are used mostly as reading or mood lighting, they don't need to be very bright but rather diffuse. That makes the IC Lights lamp a really great fit for bedrooms. Its design is very sleek, sculptural and modern. It has a slender frame in either brass or chrome and a blown glass opal diffuser with a dimmer conveniently placed on the power cord.

If you want something simple and elegant but also a bit cute, check out the Oxford table lamp. It's slender, tall and has a double shade with a lovely texture. The lamp also has a satin brass stem and a matching circular base. The combination is chic and glamorous but also cozy.

It's easy to see where the inspiration came from for the Bake Me a Cake lamp designed by Morten & Jonas. This table is fun and edgy and an obvious fit for restaurants and cafes. Of course, it can look just as awesome in modern homes, especially if you like quirky, innovative design.

The name of this lamp alone is enough to make the design stand out. Uovo is a lovely table lamp shaped like an egg. It has an oval shade made of white satin blown glass which offers a soft, warm and diffuse light. You can find in three different sizes and use it in a variety of environments. Using it as a bedside table lamp seems like a great idea.

The Eclipse table lamp is another really great choice for bedrooms. It gives out this very gentle, warm and not at all disturbing light, perfect for late night reading or just for setting up a cozy ambiance in the room. You can get the lamp in four beautiful colors, all made of ceramic.

Speaking of bedside reading lighting and delicate designs, check out Kurage, a unique lamp handmade by Japanese craftsmen. It has four slender ash wood legs and a curved washi paper shade. It's super soft and delicate, both literally and figuratively.

Meet Giraffa, a table lamp with lots of character. As the name suggests, it has this elongated stem which looks like the neck of a giraffe, with another tubular piece on top which contains the actual light source. The matching angled post completes the look. The shade can rotate 360 degrees which is very practical and useful, making this lamp perfect for desks, reading nooks as well as bedside tables.

Even though the Bulb Limited is, well, a very limited series of only 12 pieces we'd still like to mention this quirky table lamp because of its interesting and playful design. The inspiration came from the Bulb lamp designed by Ingo Maurer. This is actually the anniversary series.

Speaking of playful and interesting designs, another cool piece is the Ringelpiez table lamp. It pairs beautifully with the Frivoloso lampshade featured here, especially if you plan on using it as a nightstand lamp in which case you probably want soft, diffuse lighting.

For those of you who enjoy minimalist design with just a hint of quirkiness, we have something quite special to show you: My New Flame, a table lamp with an LED rendering of a flickering candle flame which looks surprisingly realistic. It's not a bright light nor does it try to be and that's what makes it stand out.

Minimalist is also a defining characteristic for the Cylinda table lamp designed by Angeletti & Ruzza. This is a lamp made out of two cylinders. One is slimmer and taller and serves as a base and the other is a flat disc and serves as a lampshade, featuring an LED light source concealed just beneath it. There are no unnecessary embellishments and yet the lamp looks glamorous.

What could be cozier than a bedside table lamp with a knitted shade? Right now we're actually talking about Granny, a very cute lamp with a circular wood base and stem and a chunky yarn shade. It's the perfect winter lamp for any space and it's a great bedroom lamp no matter the season.

The Cocotte lamp was designed by Serge Mouille in 1957 and has a classic and timeless look. It has a slender, angled base and a sleek stem which supports a curved shade which is black on the outside and white on the inside. The design is edgy enough to still look chic and the choice of colors and finishes is indeed timeless.

Finally, a table lamp with a design so outside the box you can't possibly ignore it. Its design is not for everyone but the Cheese and Pepper lamp is fun and quirky enough to actually be quite versatile. Use it to add a funky look to your bedroom or your workspace and pick a color that goes well with your decor. There are plenty of nuances to choose from and they range from plain and neutral to bright and playful.

The post Bedside Reading Lamps With Edgy and Quirky Designs appeared first on Home Decorating Trends - Homedit.

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Remodeling Your Bathroom for the New Year

The new year is a great time to take on new projects. Maybe your goal is to make it to the gym more, budget more responsibly, or take on new endeavors around the house. The new year is also a great time to start thinking about remodeling your bathroom. Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about remodeling in the new year:

A Great Seasonal Gift

The holidays are the perfect time for a bathroom remodel because they make a great gift. A brand new, luxury bathroom is the perfect present not just for yourself, but for your entire family. If you are looking for a last minute gift idea that everyone can enjoy, you should consider a bathroom remodel. Your family bathroom is a place that everybody benefits from. Whether it's relaxing in a long bath after a hard day at work or primping in front of a beautiful new vanity as you prepare to take on the day, your bathroom is a crucial part of your regular routine. A new bathroom will give your entire family a space to enjoy and will help to improve the overall aesthetics of your home.

Accommodate Your Family

As your family grows over the years and your kids start to get older, you are going to need more space and storage to accommodate everybody's schedules and needs. When you take the time to create a brand new bathroom in your home, you should account for every member of your household and customize your design around your family's needs.  Do your kids need more places for toiletries? Add some cabinets! Do you need a place to relax and unwind? Add a brand new luxury tub for soaking! When you do a bathroom remodel with Luxury Bath, you will be able to customize every detail of your space to make it work for you. You'll love having the extra space and accommodations, and your family will be so thankful that you made the change.

Increase Your Home Value

One of the benefits of adding in a brand new, luxury bathroom is that it can greatly increase the value of your home. Whether you are looking to sell in the near future or thinking about it a few years down the line, the addition of a beautiful bathroom space is a big selling point among potential buyers. A luxury bathroom is a great asset to have and is a wise investment that can pay off in the future.

It Only Takes One Day

One of the best parts of a bathroom remodel with your experts here at Luxury Bath is that it only takes one day. Yes, that's right. In just one day you can have a brand new bathroom. This means that you and your family will not be inconvenienced or cut off from your bathroom space for weeks at a time while renovations are being done. Our team of experts will help you map out exactly what you want for your space and execute the design and remodel quickly, neatly, and efficiently.  When you decide to upgrade with our company, we will have your brand new space ready in no time at all.

New Year, New Bathroom

One of the best parts about a bathroom remodel for the new year is that it gives you a brand new space and a fresh start. One of the best parts of New Year's is that you get a clean slate and a new beginning. This new space will add a fun spin and change of scenery to your home and is a great way to kick off the new year. This year, take the time to tackle new projects and start new endeavors to better yourself and your home.

If you are interested in a free, in-home estimate or simply want to learn more about your remodeling options, contact us today. We can help create a plan to get the bathroom that you have always wanted and can help you get a brand new space for the new year. Give us a call today at 614-475-7700.

The post Remodeling Your Bathroom for the New Year appeared first on Luxury Bathroom Remodeling - One Day Bath Remodels - Onyx Collection.

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I Splurged On This Surprising Kitchen Item And Have No Regrets

The subject of today's post might seem a little strange at first, but I hope you'll bear with me. :-) My goal with each blog post is to share at least one thing with you that helps make your life easier. Sometimes that thing takes the form of a useful tip or trick, instructions on how to make something, or a piece of advice. But every once in a while, I come across a product that is so useful, I feel compelled to share it with you.

And that's exactly why today I'll be telling you about my very favorite trash can! I didn't know it was possible to love a trash can as much as I love this one, but here we are! I find myself appreciating it's helpful features multiple times per day, so I wanted to tell you about it in case any of you could benefit from upgrading your trash can too. :-)

Meet my fancy new kitchen helper, the simplehuman 58L Stainless Steel Trash Can. This is definitely a splurge item, but I haven't regretted it once! In fact, I find new things to appreciate about it every day. I'll walk you through some of the things I love most about it!

6 Reasons Why I Love My Trash Can

1. Motion Sensor

Lifting the lid on your trash can gets tricky when your hands are either full or covered in food. That's why I love the motion sensor on this trash can! All I have to do is move my hands over the sensor and the lid will pop up on its own. It's highly convenient, and more hygienic too!

2. Voice Activation

Not only does this garbage can have a motion sensor, but it has a voice sensor too. Just say “Open can!” and the lid pops right open! I don't use this feature all that often, but my boys love it. They love telling the can to open so they can practice their across-the-kitchen garbage basketball skills. (I let this slide because they are well aware that it's their own responsibility to clean up any messes if they miss!) ;-)

3. Trash Bag Storage

Perhaps my favorite feature is the integrated storage pocket for extra bags in the back. It's so nice to have a new trash bag at the ready when I take the full bag out!

The one minor drawback of this and other simplehuman brand trash cans is that they are designed to be used with their special fitted trash bags. (This can takes “Code Q” liner bags.) However, for me this isn't much of an issue. Not only do their bags fit perfectly and never slip, they're also much more durable and leak-proof than other bags I've used!

4. Easy Bag Changing

I had another motion-activated trash can before I got this one, but there were a few things I didn't like about it. One of the issues I had with it was how I had to pull out the unwieldy liner bucket to change the trash bag. With my new trash can, the process of switching bags is much easier!

All I have to do is lift the lid section up, pull out the full bag, and put in a new one. Then I just drop the lid back down, and it's ready to go! The lid both secures the bag in place and hides the edges of the bag, so the outside of the trash can stays looking sleek and clean.

5. Smudge-Proof Finish

Not only does the finish on this trash can look sleek, it stays that way too! I'm not sure how it works, but the finish seems to repel fingerprints and smudges. And when it does get spilled on or splattered, all I have to do is wipe it clean with a wet microfiber cloth. I love having a garbage can that never looks “dirty.”

6. Five-Year Warranty

While this trash can is definitely quite a bit pricier than its standard, low-tech counterparts, your investment is protected by a five-year warranty. It gives me peace of mind to know that if I run into an issue with it during the next several years, simplehuman will replace the defective parts or repair it for me!

Looking For Something Similar?

If you like the idea of this trash can, but not the price tag, I totally get it! I wanted to offer an alternative option, so I did some digging on Amazon and found a trash can with similar features. It's the iTouchless 13-Gallon Touchless Trash Can, and it's listed for just $69.99! Here are some of the features it has:

Motion sensor lid

Carbon filter for odor control

Works with any 13-gallon garbage bag

One-year full service warranty

Do you have a product at home that makes you happy every time you use it?

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Cozy in Coastal Maine

Maine is famous for beautiful summers with refreshing temperatures, ocean breezes, and plenty of outdoor activities. The winter season is pretty fabulous too, and there are many offerings to entertain the adventure enthusiast or the homebody. Maine's various ski mountains attract visitors from all over New England and beyond. Frozen lakes and ponds are perfect for family ice skating or a vigorous round of hockey; and there are numerous trails for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Whether you wish to go out and enjoy one of these brisk winter adventures, or simply cozy up by the fire, these stunning Maine homes have got you covered.

Aspinwall Bremen Long Island, Maine

The great room in this historic island home features massive oak trusses and the commanding central fireplace, made from local stone, is thought to be one of the largest in Maine.

Undercliff Cottage | Camden, Maine

This lovely den with coffered ceilings, Cypress trim, and a stone fireplace is perfect for enjoying a good book while the flakes fall outside

Sears Cottage | Islesboro, Maine

This fine historic home features eleven unique wood-burning fireplaces and water views from almost every room.

Periwinkle Beach | Islesboro, Maine

This central, brick Russian fireplace is designed to maximize warmth and coziness.

Otter Creek Lane | Islesboro, Maine

The three limestone fireplaces in this bright and open home were inspired by Giorgio Armani.

Northeast Point | Camden, ME

When it is cold out, cooking and dining is a pleasure in front of this warm and inviting fireplace.

Dark Harbor House | Islesboro, Maine

With nine fireplaces throughout this thoughtfully-renovated historic home, it is difficult to choose just one!

260 Bay View Street | Camden, Maine

The double-sided, commanding stone fireplace in this festive family great room is perfect any time of the year.

For additional information about these listings, please contact Joe Sortwell, jsortwell@landvest.com or Terry Sortwell, tsortwell@landvest.com in our Camden office, 207-236-3543.

The post Cozy in Coastal Maine appeared first on LandVest Blog.

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Selecting the Perfect Appliance Suite for Your Kitchen

Ashley Thurman of Cherished Bliss transforms her kitchen with a new GE stainless steel appliance suite! With the help of The Home Depot, Ashley was able to transform her kitchen into a culinary dream.

  The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. It's where you start your day with either a cup of coffee or a wholesome meal. Maybe it's where everyone gathers before they run out to door to start their day, but everyone uses the kitchen. It's what keeps the family going. When designing a kitchen there are many things to consider before finalizing your decisions! Let's talk about one of the biggest hurdles to get past in a new kitchen – the appliances.

I poured through The Home Depot's Website for hours reading reviews and looking at different styles, colors, and trying to find the perfect combination of reliability, function, and appearance. I landed on the GE Cafe Series with a ZLINE Vent Hood. Let's dive into why I chose these specific appliances, and how to choose what works for your family!

Decide on a Style

I like to begin big searches like this by looking for the style that matches my design. I open multiple tabs on my computer (or you can use the compare option on The Home Depot's Website) and choose all the different styles I'm drawn too. My overall design is a Rustic Industrial Style and I knew I wanted my appliances to lean towards industrial. I absolutely fell in love with the GE Cafe Series and their robust handles that offer a professional style. If you aren't looking for an industrial style then you might look for appliances with softer edges and a more traditional look. If you're trying to find a style to fit your kitchen I always look at the handles, knobs, and edges. Since appliances are just appliances, you have to really look at the small details to find a style that fits you and your kitchen!

Consider all Appliances in a Series

Once you have narrowed it down to a few appliance series you can start to dig into their spec sheets. My list of wants included a slide in range, a counter depth french door fridge, a quiet dishwasher, and a powerful vent hood. These were a must for me. There were lots of little things that I preferred, but weren't deal breakers. I used these parameters to narrow down my favorite series. From there I started considering all the details for each appliances.

Choosing a Refrigerator

Begin looking at the appliance that is most important to you. For me it's the refrigerator. I wanted french doors with a bottom freezer. I've had many fridges over the years and this is my favorite set up. I also wanted an ice and water dispenser that's easy for my kids to use. The fact that the GE Cafe Series Refrigerator offers a Keurig and hot water dispenser was a HUGE bonus. My daughter loves to drink hot tea in the afternoon. You can also use an app on your phone to schedule the hot water. This refrigerator offers a precise fill setting that is perfect for anyone who loves to bake or the kids who love to help!

Choosing a Range

  If the kitchen is the heart of the home then the range is the heart of the kitchen. This is where all those Pinterest recipes come to life! It's where you will bake birthday cakes and holiday meals. The GE Cafe Series Range has two options for a gas range, a single oven and a double oven. I'm partial to the double oven because it allows you to bake two different things at once, and easily preheat the smaller oven for faster results. It's such a great feature for all those family holidays! And just like the refrigerator this stove has wifi capabilities, just ask Alexa to preheat the oven when you've run out of hands!

Choosing a Dishwasher

The dishwasher is the workhorse of the kitchen. It cleans up all our messes and keeps the kitchen moving. With this GE Cafe Series Dishwasher I don't have to worry about my silverware coming out completely clean because of it's silverware specific deep clean jets that remove any stuck on food. In addition to the silverware jets there are bottle jets which are perfect for your re-useable water bottles! And with an adjustable upper rack this dishwasher hit all my points and then some!

Choosing a Vent Hood

The vent hood is a place that I feel like if you want to move away from a specific series, that is totally acceptable. For me it was just the aesthetics of the vent hood. This ZLINE vent hood offered the look I wanted with the controls on the inside. I've toyed with the idea of building something around the vent hood, but for now I wanted it to be exposed so I wanted to make sure I found a vent hood the left me with options. I knew I wanted my vent hood to vent outside so that was my number one must have in regards to the hood. This 4 speed fan control offers great versatility no matter what meal you're cooking to help keep your kitchen clean.

We actually decided not to put a microwave directly in our kitchen, but rather in our pantry. Since I didn't want a microwave above our stove and I wasn't willing to sacrifice countertop space that's where it ended up.

  I hope this helps when you're shopping for your next set of appliances. Just remember, decide on a style that matches your kitchen and make a list of your must haves. Once you've narrowed it down, dig through the specs of each appliance until you find exactly what you're looking for!

The post Selecting the Perfect Appliance Suite for Your Kitchen appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

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3 Things Senior Living Communities Should Consider When Hiring Landscape Maintenance

  Considering landscape maintenance for your senior living community?

At Schill Grounds Management (SGM) we understand that a safe, clean and well-maintained landscape is attractive to families seeking senior living for their loved ones.

As the landscape maintenance and snow removal provider for one of the top rated independent and assisted living facilities in Ohio (St. Mary of the Woods), amongst other facilities, we have the knowledge and expertise of maintaining and preserving healthy, vibrant landscapes year-round.

To assist in your search, we've created a list of the top 3 things senior living communities should consider when hiring landscape maintenance professionals: Safety, Service and Communication. Let's get started..

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The Ultimate List of the Best Christmas Books for Kids

Inside: These are the most magical Christmas books for kids. For the best holiday tradition, share these heartfelt children's Christmas books with your family every year.

The end of every year brings together three of my family's most important core values:

Spending quality time together, whether that means reading books, playing fun family board games (i.e. not Candyland), or just enjoying each other's company,

Expressing gratitude for our blessings and finding ways to give to others, and

Dessert.

Because this is our absolute favorite time of year, we try to soak up as much winter holiday spirit (and dessert) as humanly possible.

One year, we channeled Clark Griswold with our outdoor lights and put them up before Halloween. Sorry, neighbors! (But hey, science says decorating early makes you happier, so there's that.)

Another year, we planned an elaborate Polar Express night for the kids, complete with hot cocoa and marshmallows, golden tickets like this, and my husband dressing up as the train conductor.

And then this year, we decided to build up our home library of Christmas books for kids, so we embarked on a quest to find the absolute best children's Christmas books.

Sounds fairly tame, except that we started our quest in August, and we've spent three solid months reading every Christmas or winter holiday book we could get our hands on.

The Problem With Some Christmas Books for Kids

Since becoming parents, we've amassed a small but treasured collection of favorite Christmas picture books. These are books we love as much as our kids do, so we don't mind reading them again and again every December.

But early on in our quest to find the best Christmas books for kids, we realized something unfortunate about some of the holiday stories out there: they were long and preachy.

I certainly don't mind reading a longer picture book if my kids are into it. But my 5-year-old bookworm started doing something that made me realize some of the children's Christmas books may be too long for their target audience. This is a child who would happily listen to me read a stack of 50 picture books in one sitting. But for some of these holiday books, she would turn to me after we were a few pages into the story and say, “Mommy, can we stop reading this now?”

As it turns out, kids don't really want to listen to a lecture disguised as a children's book.

So we focused on finding the best Christmas books that we can share with our children to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season.

Related: The Most Meaningful Gifts for Kids Who Have Everything

The Best Children's Books That Will Make Your Child's Holiday Magical

The goal of my family's months-long research project to find Christmas books for kids was simple: find the best books that both kids and parents will enjoy. (Because if our kids are going to ask us to read a Christmas story again and again, it may as well be something we appreciate, too!)

Every week, I put a huge stack of books on hold at the library, plus at every visit I browsed the shelves for even more children's Christmas books – not to mention every Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other winter holiday book I could find. While we celebrate Christmas in our family, I want my kids to understand, appreciate, and respect the holidays celebrated by other families.

All told, my kids and I read hundreds of picture books on the topic of Christmas and other winter holidays.

The list below is the cream of the crop from those hundreds of books: the books I loved reading, and the books my kids couldn't get enough of. Read these Christmas books for kids to get your whole family excited about the holiday season.

Related: 42 Experience Gifts That Will Make You Everyone's Favorite Person

Bonus: How to Turn This List Into a Festive Book Advent Calendar

For an extra special way to share these Christmas books with your children, many families enjoy sharing holiday stories through book Advent calendars.

Here's how you start a Christmas book Advent tradition:

Get copies of 25 children's Christmas books from this list. If you're on a budget, most of these titles are available used for cheap, or you can also check them out from the library.

Wrap the books and stack them next to your Christmas tree. (If you're borrowing them from the library, just be careful with the tape and tell your kids the library is letting you borrow them.)

Every day in December, let your children pick one book to open. If you have more than one kid, taking turns every day works well.

Enjoy a different Christmas story every day as a family.

Kids love this Advent calendar book-a-day tradition, but if 25 books of Christmas feels like a bit much, you might try another tradition from Iceland called Jolabokaflod, or the “Christmas Book Flood.” For this, you give each other books on Christmas Eve and spend the night reading and drinking hot cocoa. Sounds magical to me!

Related: 30 Fun Holiday Activities for Your Advent Calendar {Printable}

32 Most Heartfelt and Meaningful Christmas Books for Kids

And now for your list of the most magical Christmas books for kids that you'll want to share with your family every December!

But first, a quick warning: I was surprised to find that many of our favorite children's Christmas books are now out of print. If you see a book on this list you'd like to pick up for your family, you may want to do it this year rather than waiting until next year. I learned the hard way – some books I'd planned on picking up copies of this year are now out of print, and now they're not available anywhere online. Ack!

Also, to keep things simple, you should know that we skipped over any holiday sequels to other children's books. If a holiday version of one of your kid's favorite children's books is out there, go for it!

Note: indicates my family's absolute top favorites on the list. These are the books my kids can't get enough of!

Classic Children's Christmas Books

When it comes to the best Christmas books for kids, you can't beat the classics. Every family seems to have their own favorite, but after reading aaaaaaaallllllllllllll the classic holiday tales in a short period of time, these are the ones our whole family loved most of all.

The Night Before Christmas, illustrated by Holly Hobbie – Out of all the countless renditions of this Christmas classic, this is the one you need in your home. Not only are the illustrations the most magical I've seen for this story (and I've seen a lot of versions of this one!), my kids loved that the illustrator featured a child's perspective in addition to the father's. Surprising and beautiful and perfect. If you're looking for a different style of illustration, we also loved the version illustrated by Charles Santore and the fresh retelling by Rachel Isadora. (Beware that the latter isn't available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble anymore, so you'll have to check your library.)

The Polar Express – No matter how many times I read this story, I always get choked up at the end. And even though all my kids know the truth about Santa, something about this book tugs at my heart and makes me want to believe. It doesn't get more magical than this classic children's Christmas book. Just beware that it's a little on the longer side, so grab a mug of apple cider and settle in for a cozy read.

The Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers or The Nutcracker in Harlem – Many families have a tradition of going to see The Nutcracker ballet every year, but our youngest kids are still too little to appreciate it, so instead we immerse ourselves in retellings of the story. But we couldn't decide on a favorite between these two! The illustrations are gorgeous in both, and the retellings are unique. This also works great for explaining the story ahead of time to help younger kids follow along with the story when they're watching it live. (That will make them less likely to “whisper” questions to you asking what's going on during the show.) For an interactive experience, try The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker, which has readers press a button on each page to hear a snippet of Tchaikovsky's music. A beautiful way to experience The Nutcracker!

The Little Match Girl – This is a classic holiday story from Hans Christian Andersen that I remember reading as a child, so I wanted to share it with my children too. Fair warning: You will probably cry. But even though this isn't a cheerful holiday story, it's still one of our favorites. It's the reminder we need every year that winter isn't always a joyful time for too many people around the world. This story always makes us reflect on our blessings and think of how we can help others who may be struggling this holiday season. Of all the classic children's Christmas books we read together as a family, this one made the biggest impact on my kids.

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Related: The Ultimate List of the Best Picture Books, Endorsed by Kids And Parents

Heartwarming Christmas Books for Kids

Out of the hundreds of children's Christmas books we read, these are the most heartfelt and meaningful stories we came across. You'll want to share these with your child every year!

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem – This Maya Angelou masterpiece should be in every collection of Christmas books for kids. If poetry isn't your thing, don't let the subtitle “A Christmas Poem” turn you off this gem. As you read, this book fills your soul. It finds all the cracks and fissures created by hardships and disappointment and just fills them right up with a warm golden light. This beautiful story captures the magic of the Christmas season, and I'm so thankful our little Christmas book research project brought it to my family.

Red and Lulu – Through gorgeous artwork, we follow the story of two cardinals who live in a beautiful evergreen tree but get separated accidentally. With so many Christmas books for kids being focused on Santa and the materialistic side of the holiday season, this book is a refreshing story that has nothing to do with buying stuff or getting stuff. Plus, your kids will get a fascinating history lesson about the real Rockefeller tree and a world-famous Christmas tradition. You have to read this one! So, so good.

Night Tree – If you pick up only three books from this list, you need Amazing Peace, Red and Lulu, and this heartwarming little story. This is an older book and it's available only in paperback, so you may want to move fast on this one before it's officially out of print. In this story, you see a young boy and his family heading to the forest for an annual holiday tradition. Their tradition will make you go “awww” but my absolute favorite part is the relationship between the boy and his little sister. Everyone with a sibling will definitely be able to relate! I never get tired of reading this beautiful book to my kids. A new family favorite!

Christmas Farm – What a little gem of a book! A woman decides to plant Christmas trees on her land, so she enlists the help of a boy who lives next door. We loved their sweet friendship, and also we loved learning all about the process of growing Christmas trees. My kids were shocked at how long it takes! The book has a great way of demonstrating the length of time in a way kids can easily understand. This one's in our regular nightly rotation during the holiday season.

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The Christmas Boot – This book surprised me. Each page has more text than I would typically expect my toddler to be able to sit through, but she was engrossed in this story. It has an old-timey folktale feel to it, but it's actually an original story by Lisa Wheeler. This is a beautiful, magical Christmas tale, and it sparked some great conversations with my kids about deciding to do what's right even if it's hard or uncomfortable. Side note: The author wrote this book in honor of her friend Linda Smith, one of my favorite children's books authors of all-time who passed away from cancer. (If you haven't read Mrs. Biddlebox, promise me you will find a copy and share it with your child. It's out of print, but Amazon still has a few used copies left, or you can check your library!)

Great Joy – In this story set in the 1940s, a young girl notices an organ grinder and his pet monkey out in the cold on the street. The girl's journey of awareness and then finding her voice for change is powerful. The ending also sparked a lot of discussion with my children about how we can help those in need during the holiday season. Beautifully illustrated and written.

The Christmas Magic – This gentle Christmas picture book is perfect as a bedtime read-aloud. The lyrical text (like when “Santa feels a tingling in his whiskers”) and watercolor illustrations are beautiful, but what I love most of all is how this imagining of Santa captures the anticipation of Christmas, which is something children can very much relate to. Also, I appreciate how this book shows all the hard, thoughtful work that Santa puts into getting ready for the big day. That can help build kids' gratitude about the holiday season: all the fun stuff is possible because someone who loves them did the work to make it happen.

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A Houseful of Christmas – This book is older and seems to be out of print, so it might be hard to get your hands on. But if you typically visit extended family for the holiday season or if you have a big immediate family, this is a must-have for your children's Christmas book collection. I loved how this book captured the chaos and fun of a big family, and it just felt plain cozy to read with my kids cuddled up around me. An absolutely sweet, heartwarming holiday tale!

A Homemade Together Christmas – This story starts out with a pig family that's decorating for the holidays, and they decide to give each other homemade gifts for Christmas. The youngest pig Luca has trouble thinking of something he can make, and everything he tries to make doesn't turn out well. So finally, he settles on the perfect gift. I don't want to ruin the surprise, but if you want to show your kids that the best part of Christmas is spending time together, this is the perfect book to show just that. This story is so stinkin' cute!

Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons – During the holiday season, we tend to throw around abstract words that our kids don't quite understand. Words like “tradition,” “gratitude,” and “peace.” What I love about this book is how it brings those abstract concepts to life for children. Plus, in our family we go a bit bananas over Christmas cookies, so it was the perfect analogy for our kids to really dig into the concepts and learn what they mean. And as if we needed an excuse to make (more) cookies, the book ends with a cookie recipe!

Pick a Pine Tree – Every year on the day after Thanksgiving, we get this book out and read it while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa (with extra marshmallows!), then head out to pick out our Christmas tree as a family. This book is all about the tradition of picking a Christmas tree and the fun of decorating it, so it's the perfect story to pair with your own tree tradition. Plus, the illustrations have a fun, retro vibe that will put a smile on your face.

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Christmas Day in the Morning – This heartfelt story is on the longer side, so it's best for older kids who have a longer attention span. The main character is a young boy who wants to get his hard-working father something for Christmas, but he doesn't have any money to spend. What he comes up with in the end will warm even the Scroogiest of hearts.

The Last Christmas Tree – In a parking lot filled with big, beautiful Christmas trees, one little tree anxiously awaits its turn to get picked. But then it gets passed over again and again, until it's all alone on Christmas Eve. This story encourages kids to see the beauty and value in all things, even when they're not the biggest and “best.”

Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole – Such a delightful little book! It opens with a typewritten note: “Santa is a man of many talents. He's a toymaker, a reindeer trainer, a sleigh pilot, and a world traveler. But did you know he is also a poet?” Then you get one fun haiku for every day from December 1-25. The short poems feature vignettes of Santa's life leading up to the big day, like Mrs. Claus making snow angels and Santa untangling Christmas lights. Thanks to the suggestion of other reviewers, we'll be keeping this by our free printable Advent calendar so we can read one a day throughout December. Side benefit: After reading this the first time, it inspired our kids to write their own holiday-themed haiku!

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Related: The Ultimate List of the Best Children's Books About Kindness

Silly And Funny Children's Christmas Books

For a fun break from the heartwarming Christmas picture books, mix in one of these silly, funny tales.

The 12 Days of Christmas – This is the book that finally taught our family the correct order of all the gifts in the song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” And as a bonus, the story told through the illustrations is hilarious. Side note: At the end of the book the first time we read it, my 5-year-old turned me and said, “Why would somebody give all that for Christmas, anyway?” That prompted me to look up the history of the song, where I discovered that the song's original intention was most likely to be a memory game of sorts. Who knew?

Morris's Disappearing Bag – What a quirky, adorable little Christmas story! If you have more than one child, this is a story that will resonate even more deeply with them. The youngest will understand how Morris feels left out, and the oldest will get a big dose of empathy for their younger sibling. But don't worry because it's not heavy-handed at all. It's light, silly, and a joy to read over and over. I'm so happy we discovered this hidden gem of a Christmas picture book!

The Christmas Crocodile – My kids adore this odd little Christmas story and are currently asking for it every single day. My hunch is that every time the crocodile misbehaves and I read the refrain of “The Christmas Crocodile didn't mean to be bad, not really,” my younger kids can relate to those moments where they give into their impulses and then regret it afterwards. The part I love most is when the little girl in the story gets frustrated with the crocodile, but then she feels a twinge of sympathy and decides to give him another chance. This is a funny Christmas story of redemption tailor-made for kids whose little brains are still working on developing impulse control.

How Murray Saved Christmas – The first time I read this silly, offbeat Christmas story to my kids, I could not stop smiling. Then the kids started giggling (even the 10-year-old), and I got the giggles too. What an absolutely fun read! The story is told in the style of The Night Before Christmas, so it has a fun rhythm to it. But fair warning: If potty humor bothers you, best to skip it.

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Rudy's Windy Christmas – Speaking of potty humor: If your kids get a kick out of that, this Christmas picture book is right up their alley. Our kids gave into fits of giggles over all the new phrases they learned that mean “pass gas,” like a “I've done a booty burp” and “my bottom did a trump.” While we didn't love this one enough to purchase a copy for our home library, we will be checking it out from the library every year during the holiday season!

Santa Claus, the World's Number One Toy Expert – We're huge fans of Marla Frazee's artwork (especially Everywhere Babies and All the World), so it was fun to find a Christmas book for kids written and illustrated by Frazee. In this adorable little book, you get a peek behind the curtain at Santa and all the hard work that goes into picking out the right toy for every child. Be sure to take time on each page to look for all the playful details in the illustrations!

Laugh-Out-Loud Christmas Jokes for Kids – This book is from our favorite series of joke books, Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids. In this edition, you get lots of festive jokes that kids will love, like “What's a sheep's favorite Christmas song?” Fleece Navidad. Or “What do gingerbread men use when they break their legs?” Candy canes. Quick tip: This book is the perfect size for a stocking stuffer.

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Related: 10 Small But Meaningful Stocking Stuffers That Will Delight Your Kids {Printable}

Winter Holiday Books About Traditions Around the World

These winter holiday books are a lovely way to introduce your children to how people around the world celebrate their own winter traditions.

Winter Candle – This book is out of print, so you'll need to get it at your local library. But I've been scouring my local used bookstores for a copy because it's so good. This is the powerful story of how a single candle touches the lives of five different families who celebrate five different winter holiday traditions. Not only does the book introduce children to different traditions from different cultures, but the example of neighbors helping neighbors is utterly beautiful. If I ever find a used copy of this, I'm never letting it go!

Oskar and the Eight Blessings – In this story, a boy named Oskar sets off in a ship for New York City to escape Nazi Germany. For younger children, this is a poignant introduction to the traditions of Hanukkah and the holiday spirit. But older children will feel more deeply the severity of Oskar's situation of his parents sending him off to another country to escape the horrors of his own home. For kids who want to learn more, be sure to share the historical background at the end of the book.

Walk This World at Christmas Time – This is a gorgeous book! Each page spread shows how people around the world celebrate different aspects of Christmas. You can lift little flaps to discover more details, and my kids loved hunting down all the flaps and then finding what was hidden under each flap. We put this one next to our Advent calendar and explore a little every night.

My First Kwanzaa – This is an introduction to Kwanzaa that's best suited for younger kids. You may want to explain each of the principles covered and what they mean because the abstract concepts can be hard for kids to understand, but this was a great starting point for the conversation.

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A World of Cookies for Santa: Follow Santa's Tasty Trip Around the World – If your kids love treats, this one is a fun addition to your collection of children's Christmas books. The book steps through the Christmas cookie traditions of 32 different cultures, and you even get the recipes for some of them. (In fact, my only regret with this book is that we didn't get the recipes for all of the cookies mentioned, but that's easy enough to Google these days!)

The Story of Hanukkah – This book is a great introduction for kids and families who don't yet have any background knowledge of the history of the holiday and the traditions surrounding how it's celebrated today. Just beware that the story does get a little violent in some spots (but then again, so does the Bible). If those parts are too much for your child, you can just tone down the language or skip those details as you read aloud.

Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story – Kids with siblings will relate to this story of seven brothers in an African village who fight and bicker all the time. We loved how the book laid out the history and seven principles of Kwanzaa and delivered a powerfully original story.

Bonus book: Our library didn't have a copy of Lucia Morning in Sweden, but it's on our list to pick up a copy next year because we've heard great things about it!

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Bonus! 4 Awesome Christmas Chapter Books

My oldest reads chapter books constantly, so she set herself a personal goal to read as many Christmas chapter books as she could this year. Every time she found one she loved, she added it to a list for me. Then I read her favorites and whittled it down to the ones we both loved.

If you're looking for a Christmas chapter book that will make a great read-aloud with older kids, this is the list for you!

A Boy Called Christmas – This is a fun adventure story complete with magic (elves and trolls and pixies!), and the humor reminded me a lot of Roald Dahl. We decided this will be a Christmas chapter book we re-read together every year as a family to get ourselves in the Christmas spirit. If you enjoy this one, be sure to check out the companion books, The Girl Who Saved Christmas and Father Christmas and Me. Such a fun series!

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street – In this story, a family of seven finds out their landlord will be kicking them out of their beloved home right after Christmas. The five Vanderbeeker children are heartbroken, so they come up with a plan to save their home. This was a heartwarming holiday read!

Paper Chains – This is a story of friendship that takes place during the holiday season. While it's not as overtly Christmas-y as the other Christmas chapter books in this list, this is just an absolutely lovely, sweet read that we had to include it. If you enjoy it, you'll want to check out its companion Like Magic next.

Winterfrost – The Larsen family is preparing for their Christmas Eve celebration when the grandmother breaks her hip. They need to take her to the hospital, so they leave the 12-year-old and her baby sister home – and that's when the adventure starts. We loved learning about the Scandinavian Christmas traditions in this sweet story!

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Download now: More Joy, Less Stress: 2018 Holiday Planner

Your Turn

What are your favorite Christmas books for kids? Share in a comment below!

Author information

Kelly

I'm a mom of four, a recovering perfectionist, and the author of Happy You, Happy Family. Parenting is hard enough without all the guilt we heap on top of ourselves. So let's stop trying to be perfect parents and just be real ones. Sound good? Join my mailing list and as a bonus, you'll get 25+ incredibly helpful cheat sheets that will ease your parenting struggles.

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How Patio Planning Goes from Overwhelming to Fun and Easy

If you're in the process of patio planning, even if you've only just begun your research, then you may have already realized that there's a lot involved. There are so many different factors in play and a big range of choices when it comes to patio materials and even patio builders (all with different price ranges), and you might feel terribly overwhelmed.

If you are going to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a new patio, you want it to be perfect. It ought to not only look nice but should not have ongoing problems with it either. You should be able to create a patio that meets your needs and doesn't have you wondering if you wasted your money.

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Planning Your Yard for the New Year

You've probably heard the saying “new year, new you”, but have you thought about the saying “new year, new yard”? The new year is a great time to take on new projects and to better yourself and space around you. Here are some steps for planning your new yard:

Gather Some Ideas

The first step to planning your new yard is to get a good idea of what you want for your space. You can do this by looking around for inspiration. Start with your friends and family; has anyone you know done any lawn makeovers recently? Was there anything specific that you liked or wanted to include in your space? You can also go online to look for inspiration. Look at websites, like Pinterest, and galleries of landscaping companies to pick ideas that you want to include in your space. It is a good idea to keep a compilation of your thoughts and photos or links to things that you may want to add. The more organized you are with this part of the process, the better off you will be when it comes to executing your landscaping.

Evaluate Your Wants and Needs

There are certain things that need to be included in your landscape- space for pets and children to play, adequate lighting, safe walkways, etc. There are also things that you want to be included in your space such as pools, water features, and gazebos. Write a list of all of your needs and a list of all of your reasonable wants, and start planning on what you can reasonably fit into your space. It is important to be practical and to understand that not everything will fit into your yard. You will need to prioritize what you think will most benefit you, your yard, and your family. Once you have a concrete list of what you do and do not want to be included, you can start planning.

Look into Local Landscapers

Once you have an idea of what you want for your yard and the different aspects that you want to include, it is time to look for a good landscaper. To do this, it is important to ask around for recommendations and to read online reviews. Reviews are a great way to get honest feedback and first-hand experiences about what people were happy and unhappy with in regards to their landscaping experience. Make sure to look for photos of past projects and to seek out workers with good reputations and beautiful work. The better the company you work with, the better overall experience you will have with creating a new yard for the new year.

Build a Timeline

Now that you have your ideas, your wants, your needs, and a trusted landscaper to work with, it is time to create a realistic timeline. Some landscaping projects are going to take longer than others. For instance, a pool installation will take much more time than adding some new foliage. Plan your timeline accordingly. If you want to enjoy your brand new patio for the summertime, make sure that you are making the plans to build it in the early months of spring. Having a timeline established will ensure that you get the absolute most out of your backyard remodel.

Fill Out Our Vision Planner

When you know what you want and when you want it, the next step is to fill out our Vision Planner. Your Vision Planner will help us to understand the details of your project and will help us get an idea of the total price of your remodel. The vision planner tool is thorough and effective and will help us to get on the same page as you so that we can begin your landscape transformation. You can fill out the Vision Planner here.

The new year is a time of new beginnings, and your yard should be no exception. 2019 is the year to get the landscape of your dreams, and we are here to help make that happen. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions about our services, please do not hesitate to call us at (440) 543-0500.

The post Planning Your Yard for the New Year appeared first on Cleveland Landscaping and Snow Removal.

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How to Remove a Wall Air Conditioning Unit and Restore the Drywall

by Dillon B. (additional writing by Ryan O.)

Most people assume that once an air conditioning unit is installed, it can't be uninstalled unless you are willing to deal with a big unsightly gap in your wall. However, sometimes the AC unit is old, there are other ways to cool down the house or you just don't want that appliance there anymore. In this DIY, we show you how to remove an unwanted air conditioning unit and restore the surface of the wall by installing drywall to reclaim your wall space back.

Preparing to reconstruct that wall

This is what you will need for this DIY project:

-Drill with Phillips head drill bit -Drywall, same thickness as your current wall (most commonly ½ inch), cut to size -1” x 1” thick common wood used for drywall backing, measured to size -Joint compound such as 20-minute mud -Mudding knife -Drywall mesh tape -1 5/8” drywall screws -sandpaper (recommended 120 to 150 grit range) -measuring tape -level/straightedge

Step one: Remove Face Cover and Air Unit

After removing the facing of the air conditioning unit, carefully slide out the body of the unit from its mount. Air conditioning units are heavy, so assistance is recommended.

Step two: Remove Air Unit Housing Frame

Remove the screws securing the frame to the walls. The frame should be easy to pull out.

Step three: Install Drywall backing

Measure the four sides of the vacated by the frame and cut four pieces of 1”x 1” stock wood to the measurements. It does not need to be cut perfectly to size because it is simply acting as backing for the drywall to screw into. Secure the wood backing with drywall screws, attaching to wall studs when possible. Make sure when mounting the backing, the backing needs to be recessed to account for the thickness of the drywall piece; the backing should support the piece so it matches the same flat surface of the current wall.

Step four: Cut Drywall Piece

Cut the piece of drywall, which should be the same thickness of drywall as your current wall. Drywall can be cut by scoring, using a utility knife or a saw to cut the piece to size. The piece should be around ¼” inch less around the perimeter of the opening to fit into the gap. Use a straightedge or level to make sure the piece fits into the openings and that the corners align. When putting the drywall piece into the opening, you run your hand across the piece and the wall to feel if they are flush. It should feel like one continuous wall with a bit of gap.

Step five: Install Drywall Piece

Screw the edges of the drywall piece to the backing you installed earlier all the way around. It is recommended that these screws are spaced between 2-4 inches apart for a small piece like this, and 6-8 inches apart for a full 8' x 4' inch piece of drywall. It is more important the screws secure things in place without using more screws than needed; more screws on these edges may compromise the stability of the gypsum of the drywall.

Step six: Mud Drywall Joints and Screws

Cover the gap between the wall and the drywall piece with drywall tape (mesh tape) all the way around. Use a putty knife to apply joint compound or spackle over the gap. Apply the compound to all of the drywall for consistency, but the emphasis should be over the gap. Joint compound can stiffen in as little as 20 minutes, so work fast. Apply between 2-3 coats, sanding after each coat, until the wall is completely smooth to the touch.

Step seven: Sand the Compound

Once dry, buff the dried compound with sandpaper to make the surface even. This area is now ready to be painted over.

Check out more remodeling tips and videos here on our Best Online Cabinets blog!

The post How to Remove a Wall Air Conditioning Unit and Restore the Drywall appeared first on Best Online Cabinets.

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#125: A Tale Of Two Kitchens

Our holiday was full of fun, family, and a freakish amount of Ikea boxes filling the duplex. So this week we're sharing how we navigated the task of installing not one, but two kitchens over winter break – including how things got off to a rocky start – and when we actually saw the light (both literally and figuratively). We also got AN AVALANCHE of feedback from you guys on the small sleeping nook we debated filling with various bed layouts in our last episode, so today we're sharing how we've adjusted our plans to make the room work for as many families as possible. Plus, we tried out a new money-saving trick (why haven't we been doing this for years?!) and requested some info from our international listeners that we hope leads to some interesting revelations.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify – or listen to it below! Note: If you're reading in a feed reader, you may have to click through to the post to see the player.

What's New

This was the scene on Christmas morning when our kids found their dollhouses (which we discussed getting in Episode #124). Below you can see the interiors a bit closer, which we filled with furniture that came with one of them, plus a $35 box of stuff we snagged off Facebook Marketplace on Christmas Eve (!!!).

We'll share more of them as Sherry and the kids begin the process of fixing them up.

And thanks for your feedback from Episode #124 about the small sleeping nook on each side of the duplex. As you heard in the episode, we found a flexible solution that involves these Ikea mattress bases.

We'll share more photos of our final plan once they come together a little more, but for now I'll treat you to these incredibly lifelike “renderings” that Sherry did on her phone to show the three configurations that we can achieve with the beds we bought.

Also, this was the pop-up trundle bed from Ikea that came highly recommended by lots of you! Since it doesn't accommodate the highest voted option from last week's poll (two separate twin beds) it wasn't right for us, but if you're looking for a pop up trundle (with two twin mattresses on the same level to create a king), about 1,000 people suggested this one!

Pinterest 100 Game

image source

Here's the full 2019 Pinterest 100 list for your perusing pleasure, plus you can hear last year's game in Episode #78 and the year before's quiz in Episode #30.

Shown above is their example of “geometric paint treatments” by the way.

Also, here's the makeover we shared where reader Angela painted her tile floor to give it total makeover for under $75. It still blows my mind that this is just a stencil!

Design Norms Around The World

As suggested by a UK listener named Jo after hearing Episode #122's discussion of laundry room placements, we'd love to hear about home design “norms” that are common in your part of the globe (particularly if they differ from what you hear us talk about).

Please use the Google Form below, and don't forget to specify what country, state, or region you're writing about.

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Duplex Kitchen Progress

Those are HALF of the boxes that were delivered for the duplex kitchens and laundry rooms on each side of the house (the other half were stacked on the other side).

It was slow-going the first couple of days, but we eventually got rolling and are really excited about our progress. We're planning to write a detailed blog post about the actual steps and materials that can make installing an Ikea kitchen go a lot more smoothly (this is our fourth rodeo) so you can stay tuned for that – hopefully in a week or two.

Below you can see the wall Sherry mentioned in the episode that was so bowed that it required lots of shimming to keep the metal cabinet rail straight (this was an exterior wall where we used the original framing).

And again, we'll share more pictures soon, but below is a peek at how far we got by the end of the holiday break. There's still toekicks to be added, hardware to be installed, plus little details like appliances, counters, and backsplashes.

But getting this far means we can finally get our counters templated and our appliances installed!

We're Digging

Since I can't link to the specific eBay coupon that I used for our shower curtains (I used it up!), I'll link you to the shower curtains we bought. They're the same extra-long white waffle shower curtains that we used in the beach house, which work great for 8ft ceiling (there are also these longer ones for 9ft ceilings). Oh and we use these shower liners for the 8′ foot ceiling-ed rooms, and these are the ones we use for 9 ft ones.

I also want to add that after recording I spent $3 to get THREE 10% off your order coupons for Lowe's, which has already saved me over $50 on curtains rods & ring clips (more glamorous duplex purchases).

And last but not least, here's Headbanz, our family's new favorite game for everyone in the household.

If you're looking for something we've dug in a past episode, but don't remember which show notes to click into, here's a master list of everything we've been digging from all of our past episodes. You can also see all the books we've recommended on our Book Club page.

And lastly, a big thank you to You Need A Budget (YNAB) for sponsoring this episode. Sign up at YNAB.com/YHL to get your first three months free!

Thanks for listening, guys!

*This post contains affiliate links*

The post #125: A Tale Of Two Kitchens appeared first on Young House Love.

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Arnie & Kath's Kitchen

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2018 Holiday Gift Guide – DIY Staff Picks

At DIYControls, we have been finding great products and proudly serving our customers for over 60 years! Our focus is on do-it-yourself products designed to protect you and your home and business, and to keep your entire family – including pets, children, and seniors– safe and secure in and out of the home.

Exceptional Service & Support

From freeze alarms, pool alarms, remote monitoring solutions and automatic shut-off valves to phone thermostats, wireless security systems, and video surveillance and more, we are your source for easy-to-use products to protect your family, home and business. And we're happy to provide free technical support for every item we sell.

All of us here at DIYControls take pride in offering exceptional and friendly customer service. We know our products inside and out, and love nothing more than helping you select the most economical and valuable protection.

Our Staff Picks for Holiday Gifts

When it comes to the holidays, we're as particular as you are about finding just the right gift for everyone on our list. To help you get a head start on your shopping, here are 12 things we would most like to give – or receive – this year!

Bob: Home Protection During the Holidays

Protection is a priority for those like Bob who aren't always “home for the holidays.” With an automatic water main shutoff system like the leakSmart Automatic Water Shut Off System with Internet control, Bob can rest assured that his home and belongings are protected against water damage before it starts. Leaksmart's sensor-based system detects leaks throughout the home and shuts off the water in less than 5 seconds. The system hub connects to the Internet and sends audible and visible alarms as well as notifications via a smart device app.

Bob's wish list also includes a professional grade DIY security system to safeguard his home against intruders and other safety hazards. A fee-free, internet based security system like Risco's WiComm Internet/Cellular Security System with a cellular backup option lets Bob use an iOS or Android smartphone or a computer to control the system from anywhere. He can also receive email and push notification alerts right to his mobile device .

Dan:

A Warm Welcome

For ski and snowboard enthusiasts like Dan, the gift of an Internet thermostat lets him live the dream of arriving to a pre-heated ski cabin on cold winter nights. The Venstar T3700 Explorer Residential Digital Thermostat has seven-day, single-day, or five-and- two-day programming. A variety of lighting, language and temperature options allow Dan to customize the unit, and he can choose to connect remotely using either WiFi or Z-Wave technologies by adding one of Venstar's optional wireless modules. All for under $100!

Laura: A Sound Sleep and Reminder to Take Her Meds

The Marsona Sound Therapy Machine is a thoughtful and unque gift for anyone who has difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, especially those like Laura who suffer from tinnitus. It lulls users with relaxing sounds like falling rain, the ocean's surf or crickets chirping softly. This lightweight, portable machine plugs into a wall outlet or runs on battery power. It also features an automatic timer and sliding volume control.

Laura would also appreciate finding a Med-Q White Digital Pill Box Organizer in her

stocking. She can easily program the Med-Q with her medication time and it will flash the corresponding day slot with a bright red light. It also sounds an alarm that increases in volume. Features include 14 removable compartments, oversized buttons and large, digital display, and braille marking.

Kris: A Smart Home Upgrade

Kris is wishing for an easy entree into the world of smart homes. The Samsung SmartThings + Leviton Home

Automation Bundle gives her the ability to easily control the lighting in her home from anywhere in the world. The kit includes the SmartThings hub, a Leviton universal dimmer and a Leviton switch. And because this system is totally expandable and compatible with many WiFi and Z-wave sensors and modules, Kris can add any of hundreds of compatible devices to monitor and protect her property, including lights, speakers, locks, thermostats, sensors and more.

Laura's Mom: Layers of Pool Safety for Her Grandkids

The Safety Turtle 2.0 Child Immersion Pool Alarm System is the easiest way to

protect little ones around a pool for open water. This “personal immersion” system uses water-activated wristbands that trigger a loud alarm when submerged in water. Laura's mom can use the Safety Turtle at home or carry it to wherever the grandkids will be swimming, including hotels, lakes, a friend's pool or on a boat.

For an added layer of protection, the easy-to-install MagnaLatch ALERT Pool Safety Gate Latch with Alarm is a magnetic latch she can affix to vinyl, metal or wood gate posts. The top-pull model has dual electric warnings when unlatched – bright LED lights and an audible alarm – and a rekeyable lock for extra security and convenience.

Lisa: Fewer Worries About Her New Dog

The gift of an indoor pet cam would go a long way towards alleviating Lisa's worries about her new dog when she's at work or away from home. Motorola's Digital Wireless Indoor Pet Monitor with two cameras offers a convenient two-way communication feature that will allow Lisa to communicate to her dog without being in the same room. The video monitor has a full color LCD screen and infrared night vision for keeping an eye on things in very low light levels.

Jim: Vacation Home Peace of Mind

A freeze alarm monitors the temperature inside the home and provides a warning if it dips dangerously low. It's an ideal gift for people like Jim, who owns a vacation home up north that he closes up for the winter. A call-out freeze alarm like the best-selling TempAlarm Dialer Pro sends Jim an alert via a phone call when the indoor temperatures in his home are falling.

A local alarm like the simple-to-use Freeze Flash Temperature Warning

Light lets Jim put his observant neighbors to work for him! All he has to do is set the low temperature, install the batteries and place the unit in a visible window. When the temperature goes below the set level, the light will flash and attract his neighbors' attention.

Donna: Home Alone Security for Her Dad

The Ring Video Doorbell is tops on Donna's list of gifts for her elderly dad, who lives alone in a town several hours' drive from her. It's like Caller ID for the front

door and super-simple to use! When the doorbell is pressed or motion is detected, an alert is sent to her dad's smartphone along with streaming live HD video of the visitor outside the door. Ring Video also lets her dad converse with the visitor through the built-in microphone and speakers.

Still looking for the perfect gift?

Click on the Great Gift Ideas tab on the DIYControls home page for more suggestions. Use the lefthand column to shop by price, manufacturer, features and more. It's a handy resource for finding holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list!

  The post 2018 Holiday Gift Guide – DIY Staff Picks appeared first on DIYControls Blog.

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Season's Greenings

Wishing all of our 275,000+ Urban Gardens readers, subscribers and social media followers a great 2019 and thank you for your continued support!

Some Holiday Reading: Your Favorite Posts From 2018

1.  Grow a Meal a Week in Small Spaces … Read More...

The post Season's Greenings appeared first on Urban Gardens.