October Checklist for a Smooth-Running Home

In the very first sharp mornings spent raking leaves, to the last exciting days preparing for trick-or-treaters, October is usually a busy month round the home. Mix in mandatory home maintenance (clean rain gutters, roll hoses) with items you have been needing to get to (finish a decorating job, select up gourds for front porch) and you’ll discover your to-do list vanishing before your own eyes. Work your way through the 11 jobs on our checklist, and from the end of the month you’ll have your home winter-ready — and also a little more beautiful, to boot.

Stonewood, LLC

1. Clean rain gutters after leaves drop. Leaves and other debris that clog your rain gutters can lead to leaks, so it is best to get to the chore as soon as possible after the majority of the autumn leaves have fallen. If your home is smaller, and you feel comfy on a ladder, even draining rain gutters is a fairly simple task to do yourself. If your home is more than 1 story, hire an expert.

2. Repair roof and siding. Should you see any damaged areas for your roof, siding or shingles, it is crucial to look after the problem before winter storms come through.

Lands End Development – Designers & Builders

3. Scrub and shop outdoor furniture and gear. From the end of October, with light fading earlier and weather getting less friendly, your outside seating area is very likely to go rancid. Rather than leave out furniture in bad weather, put it away in a drop or the basement. This month, also aim to wash your gardening tools and put them away neatly. Those in cold climates should move winter gear (snow shovel, ice scrapers) to a convenient place now so you don’t need to scramble when the first frost hits.

4. Put up storm windows and doors. Should you use storm windows or doors, now’s the time to get them installed. These features can help conserve energy during cold months and safeguard your home from drafts.

Moore Architects, PC

5. Give porch a fall makeover. Sweep off the summer sand, refresh baskets with autumn flowers, wash front windows and use a broom or soft brush to wash siding up. An armful of decorative gourds and pumpkins makes a simple display that will last all month.

6. Close off outside taps and roll pliers. Freezing temperatures may harm hoses and water pipes, so be sure to shut off empty and taps hoses of water before the first big freeze.

Martha O’Hara Interiors

7. Organize sand room. In the rush of return to college — and work — this tough entryway can take a major beating. Schedule a weekend day to sort through the mud room, putting away unneeded items and paper clutter and cleaning the floors. Invest in a couple of new baskets, bins and hooks to corral items.

Crisp Architects

8. Check security devices. Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector, as well as smoke detectors positioned throughout the home. Take a minute to examine that yours will be in working order, and change batteries if needed.

Shannon Malone

9. Sharpen knives. If you become aware of your kitchen knives becoming a bit harder to use, that is a sign they are due for a professional sharpening. Regular sharpening at home can help prolong the life span of a sharp edge on knives, but once that border is missing, just a pro can bring it back. Make a date to fall off your own knives.

Tim Barber Ltd Architecture

10. Type and store clothing. Don’t let summer swimsuits and shorts take up precious cupboard space yearlong should you only use them for a couple of months!

Alter warm-weather accessories and clothes to an out-of-the-way cupboard in bins with tight-fitting lids. And be sure to store just freshly laundered items — bugs are attracted to dirty clothes but usually leave clean garments alone.

Lisa Petrole Photography

11. Tackle a decorating job from start to finish. Quit dreaming and start doing! Select one sensible job (e.g., a single room or nook) which you would like to transform this month, and make it happen.

It might be helpful if you break your project down into bite-size pieces and schedule tasks throughout the entire month.

Read the DIY projects section

Inform us what’s on your home care record this October?

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Guest Groups: Laundry Room Mini Makeover

I like to tinker with my laundry room by adding small decorative or organizational developments here and there. Occasionally the smallest changes can make a significant difference. I am hoping that the ideas that are next will be the inspiration needed to pretty-up your laundry area! — Elaina from Fun Finds for Mother

Honey-Do Triple Laundry Sorter – $67.99

This is very like my laundry sorter, which kind of changed my whole outlook on laundry. The children really like to provide each other rides at the cart and use it within their fancy fort creations. Fun for the whole family!

Buy

Amazon

Wood Clothespins – $9.13

Display a lot of wooden clothespins at a glass storage container, then grab them when you need them!

Oliver Yaphe

Canvas Laundry Hamper – $84

It is always beneficial to have an extra hamper on hand, especially if it’s one as beautiful as this canvas hamper by Oliver Yaphe.

The Home Depot

LG Electronics Compact Front Load Washer In White – $999

While not a little addition, a glistening white front-load washer and dryer set is in my laundry area wish list.

Anchor

Modern Montana Jar

These jars are great for keeping everything from powdered laundry detergent to clothespins.

www.ikea.com

SLOM Bottle with stopper – IKEA

I have one of those glass bottles full of dish soap in my kitchen counter tops. The exact same could be carried out with liquid laundry detergent. I seems so much better than an ugly plastic jug!

Amazon

Landmark Schoolhouse One-Light Pendant Bronze – $375

Let there be light! My laundry area that is ideal has a couple of those pendants hanging down from the ceiling.

IKEA

KNODD Bin With Lid, White – $24.99

When I gave my laundry area a mini makeover a couple of years before, I added this bright white bin from IKEA. It is the ideal place to toss used dryer sheets, trash from pockets along with other laundry-related trash. Additionally, it is very simple to wipe clean.

Lehman’s

Galvanized Washtub – $39.95

If your laundry room doubles as a storage area, bins such as these galvanized wash tubs are useful for storing bulky products.

STACKS AND STACKS

Retractable Drying Line – $6.99

Zip out a drying point when you need it for this retractable wall-mounted unit.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Wall Mounted Ironing Center – $219.99

I might actually iron clothing if I had a wall mounted ironing board similar to this one!

Ballard Designs

Beadboard Drying Rack – $89

This beadboard drying rack tucks out and out of the way when you’re not using it to hang hand-washables to dry. It comes in black, honey or rubbed white.

Loll Designs

BBO2 table – $394

My children really like to hang out while I do laundry. When there’s room on your laundry room, a children play table, such as this one from loll layouts (created from recycled milk jugs), is a fun addition. I have a similar desk in my laundry room that I use for washables which need to dry apartment.

Loll Designs

Chair – $199

Have the children pull up a seat to a little table and help with the folding — or match up a pair of socks.

Modularity Tiles

Custom Designed Vinyl Tile Floors

I would really like to pay the cement floor of my laundry room with those vinyl ModularityTiles. They are offered in die-cut circles and rounded squares which you may mix and match from 17 color choices — fun!

The Laundress

Stain Brush – $10

I have a thing for wood-handled brushes. This one is from the Laundress and is especially made to scrub out laundry stains.

Steele Canvas

Colored Canvas Baskets

Industrial Steele canvas laundry carts are all super functional and I really like their appearance. They are going to be coming out with coloured canvas baskets soon!

The Home Depot

Martha Stewart Living Cubbie-Storage Bench With Seat – $72.98

Maximize storage space. In addition they have coordinating cloth bins which slip directly into the cubbies.

IKEA

Vika Hyttan/Vika Moliden Table – $189

I can envision my laundry room wall with two of those Ikea stainless steel tables lined up to get freshly laundered clothing for folding.

West Elm

Colored Metal Footed hitter – $14

These little retro clocks are perfect for popping on a laundry room shelf to let you know how long you’ve been sudsing your own duds.

Next: Where to Stash the Washer and Dryer

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Texture and Color Fill an Eclectic Pittsburgh Row House

Fantastic design comes in several types. However one recurring constant is that great design happens in the hands of more creative people. How else could something like a dilapidated and abandoned Pittsburgh row home be shockingly converted into an arty and eclectic home that perfectly embodies the couple who inhabits it?

This was the situation for Alissa Martin, the owner of a local clothing and shoe company, along with her husband, a psychologist. The creative couple spent a year working with mossArchitects and Botero Development in the first stages to personalize their run-down, two-bedroom space to seamlessly wed Martin’s modern-edged Moroccan design together with her husband’s penchant for studying and collecting. In the end, color and texture dominate by way of exposed brick and ceiling beams, a vibrant wall mural and casual-cool patterned wallpaper and bedding.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Alissa Martin and her husband, pug Milo and Alaskan Malamute–mix Lakota
Location: Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh
Size: 2,600 square feet; two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Jason Snyder

Martin, right, along with her husband sit on the front steps of the newly remodeled house, which is just one of five in a once-dilapidated construction.

Martin is originally from the D.C. metro region but has called Pittsburgh home for the last 11 years. College friends from Penn State initially lured her to Pittsburgh, along with the design, character and affordability enticed her to stay and receptive Pavement, a clothing and shoe shop.

Jason Snyder

Jason Snyder

Martin requested that the reclaimed hardwood floors — rescued out of a Polish dance hall that has been torn down to make space for the Tower in PNC Plaza (charged as the greenest skyscraper on earth) — maybe not be “refinished in any way so as to preserve the aged patina and one of a kind color variants,” she says.

Jason Snyder

Years of jealousy meant the kitchen needed to be completely gutted. Exposed original ceiling beams, simple white subway tiles, open shelving and Ikea cabinets painted blue now underline the couple’s eclectic aesthetic. They spent additional time choosing the finishes in the kitchen as well as from the bathroom, because they felt these are much permanent investment.

Kitchen cabinet hardware: Anthropologie; cupboard paint: Sea Glass, Martha Stewart Living (Glidden); faucet: Ikea; shelves: Wade Caruso Woodworking

Jason Snyder

Reclaimed wood chandelier: Roxanne’s Dried Flowers

Jason Snyder

Background: Grand Game for Anthropologie

Jason Snyder

Underneath Lakota, the couple’s Alaskan Malamute mix, is a wooden console displaying travel mementos. The couple spend the majority of their time on this first floor entertaining friends and hanging out with their beloved dogs.

Jason Snyder

Milo, a 13-year-old pug, introduces unimpressed in the front of the living area’s reclaimed wood bookcases, made by Wade Caruso Woodworking.

Jason Snyder

This sitting room, which will be a work in progress, is home to the couple’s vintage record player, acquired in the set of the movie The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Jason Snyder

The bedroom attic is on the next floor, where initial pine flooring was patched, sanded and sealed with polyurethane.

Jason Snyder

The bathroom includes imported Moroccan hand-printed ceramic flooring tiles by U.K. textile designer Dominic Crinson.

Jason Snyder

Reclaimed wood frames the door to the bedroom.

Jason Snyder

Skylights lend a modern touch to the original exposed beam ceiling.

Bedding, drapes, carpeting: Anthropologie; chandelier: Pottery Barn; upholstered Chair: Hot Haute Hot

Jason Snyder

Pictured here is the few shared office nook.

Desk: Flatiron, Restoration Hardware; folding seats: Terai, Anthropologie

Jason Snyder

The second floor includes a guest bedroom dressed in bold bursts of color.

Bedding: Anthropologie; wall paint: Sea Anemone, Martha Stewart Living (Glidden)

Jason Snyder

The second-floor bathroom is outfitted in white subway tile, while sexy Moroccan-inspired ceramic tiles out of Dominic Crinson line the floor.

Show us your remodeled attic

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Methods of Keeping Flowers

Flower preservation lets you enjoy spring and summer blooms at any moment. Dried flowers can stay beautiful for many years when preserved properly. Use them to liven up flower arrangements, decorate crafts and cards, or show as framed artwork. Experiment with various methods and blossom types to find those that work best for you personally.

Pressing

Pressed flower preservation functions best with flat blooms, like pansies (Viola spp.) . To press a blossom, sandwich it between 2 sheets of absorbent blotting paper. Put the blotting paper between 2 sheets of paper towels; subsequently place the whole package under a heavy weight, like under a stack of books along with a brick, for five to seven days. The weight presses the moisture from the flowers and into the newspaper. When the flowers are completely dry, you can show them. Pressing preserves most of the shade in the flowers, though it does flatten some blooms. Flower presses are also available that offer the pressure to remove the moisture.

Air Drying

Air drying permits you to preserve both blooms and stems. It works best for complete flowers, like hydrangeas, or for blooms that make clusters of blooms, like yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Strip foliage from the stems, since it usually won’t dry well, then tie a bundle of five or six stems together. Dry large flowers separately rather than in bunches. Hang the stems upside down in a dark, well-ventilated and dry location for one to two weeks, or until the stems and flowers are completely dry and fragile. Light bleaches the colour from the flowers during drying, while any moisture in the atmosphere can cause the blooms to rot.

Desiccants

You can dry almost any flower variety in a desiccant. Desiccant choices include silica gel crystals, equal parts borax and mud, or equal parts borax and cornmeal. Fill containers using a 1-inch layer of the desiccant mixture, and arrange the flowers on top. Insert more desiccant into the container before the blooms are buried. Most flowers require about a week to dry within a desiccant, even though some flowers may take more. You may check dryness by pouring off some of the desiccant to inspect the petals. When the blooms are papery and fragile, carefully pour off the desiccant and show the blooms.

Storage and Screen

Proper storage extends the life of preserved flowers. Store the blooms in a sealed container to keep out moisture and in a dark location so the blooms don’t fade. When you’re ready to show the flowers, you can spray them lightly with a preservative from a florist or using a clear spray paints. Screen vases of dried flowers or framed pressed flowers in a location away from direct sunlight. Avoid humid locations, like bathrooms, because the moisture will ruin the flowers.

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What Is Included in Condo Prices?

Having a condominium unit may provide the additional benefits of maintenance and many conveniences to all the benefits of standard home ownership. Condominium may apply to many different home types including free-standing houses, and is a form of possession, not an architectural style. Anyone purchasing a condo unit automatically becomes part of a homeowners association, subject to its own rules, regulations and fees, and should investigate how much the condo fees are and what they pay.

Establishing Condo Fees

Condo owners share ownership of these common elements as roads and recreation facilities. Membership fees, or dues, are established based on a budget that the HOA board of directors sets. The budget is based on expenses, and fees are generally prorated according to the percentage of ownership of each unit. California condo developments are all regulated under the Davis-Stirling Act, which specifies homeowners institutions are”responsible for repairing, replacing, or maintaining the common areas, and owners are responsible for maintaining their distinct interests.” Unit, or Another interest, is the distance bound floor by walls, ceilings, doors and windows.

Recurring Charges

Condo fees fluctuate widely according to the structure of each development. Based on the character of the condominium, the monthly fees may cover sewer and water fees, garbage and recycling collection, insurance for shared places, vendor services, condo management services, recreational services such as pool maintenance, common area lighting, legal fees, and contributions to a reserve account to cover unanticipated expenses.

Regular Care

Condo fees may also be employed to grass cutting and seasonal landscaping, snow plowing and walkway shoveling, exterior painting, roof and chimney inspection and repair, hallway and elevator maintenance and laundry room service.

What the Fees Do Not Cover

Unit owners are responsible for the repair and replacement such as appliances and wallpaper; toilets, tubs and showers; and carpeting. Liability insurance covering the elements is carried by an HOA, and a portion of membership fees go toward the cost of that insurance. However, individual unit owners should carry their condo policy covering loss in case of burglary, fire or other damage; a few HOAs require annual proof of such insurance.

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Can You Eat Daikon Radish Greens?

You can eat all portions of the yearly Daikon radish (Raphanus sativus var. Longipinnatus) and they are delicious. Although many Americans are accustomed to eating just the origins of smaller radishes in salads or as garnish, Asians eat Daikon leaves, commonly referred to as greens, in soups and pickled as in the Korean favorite, kimchi.

The White Daikon

The white, cylindrical Daikon cultivar usually found in American supermarkets is also referred to as the Chinese radish, Japanese radish, Oriental radish and winter radish. Although the word “Daikon” means “great root” in Japanese, the mild, white cultivar originated in continental Asia. It grows up to 20 inches long and 4 inches wide at maturity, weighing from 1 to 2 lbs. You can eat its greens, however, some other Daikon cultivars have more leaves and smaller roots.

Other Daikon Cultivars

Many Daikon radish cultivars grow from 10 to 20 lbs at maturity, though they are typically harvested at 1 to 5 lbs. Some specimens have weighed around 100 lbs. Daikon cultivars might be round, and have black, black, pink, purple or red flesh. Some varieties are grown for their edible greens as opposed to their origins. You might find seeds for soluble varieties in seed catalogs.

Eating The Leaves

Daikon leaves grow in rosettes in addition to the roots. Should you remove the leaves from the plant, the roots will die so you have to harvest them in precisely the same moment. Young leaves are more tender and mild than mature leaves. Many grocers don’t understand Daikon greens are edible and remove them prior to displaying the roots. Some grocers shop the greens in back for people who request them. If they are available, start looking for bright green, fresh leaves and avoid the ones that are wilted or starting to yellow.

Growing Good Leaves

Daikons are winter annuals. Should you plant them in September through October, then they will be prepared to eat in 60 to 70 days. You can plant them in early spring to get a early summer crop, but the leaves will taste hotter. Store both the leaves and roots in the refrigerator over the short term. For periods up to several month, store them in a root cellar or other cool location.

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What Appliances Can Be Connected to your Portable Generator?

If your appliance has a plug, then it is possible to connect it to a portable generator, so long as the generator supplies enough power to power it. You can even plug in several appliances simultaneously, but collectively, they shouldn’t pull more power than the generator can supply. If they do, the appliances will likely do poorly, and you may damage the generator. In addition, the power cords can overheat and start a fire.

Generator Operation

A generator works much like the alternator in your car. A motor that burns a fuel like gasoline or propane spins a rotor wound with a running coil, along with the movement of the coil inside a magnetic field provided by permanent magnets induces an electric current in the coil. Manufacturers design the number of turns in the coil and its period of rotation to supply either 120- or 240-volt power with a frequency of 60 Hz, that is the same power available from conventional receptacles in almost any commercial or residential construction. This electricity is available at one or more receptacles attached to the generator casing. Some generators supply both 120 and 240 volts in distinct outlets.

Generator Rating

The size and efficiency of the engine determines the amount of electricity, measured in watts, so a given generator supplies, and the generator will run any appliance that has a power pull less than its own score. You’ll locate the power pull of an appliance clearly marked on a tag on its casing, usually near the point at which the power cord connects. Adding the power ratings of the appliances that you would like to work with should produce a number smaller than the generator rating. If the number is greater, you can still plug them in as long as you don’t use them in precisely the same time.

Plan for Power Surges

Some appliances, like refrigerators, air conditioners and pumps, draw more power when they start up, and also this power surge can overload a generator. To avoid this, you should double the typical wattage rating for large appliances with motors when deciding the sized generator you want to run them. As an instance, you will need a 5,000-watt generator to run an 800-watt refrigerator along with a 1,500-watt well pump in precisely the same time, despite the fact that they use less than 3,000 watts when running. If the generator is undersized, start-up surges can overload and damage it, and the appliances won’t operate correctly.

Safe Practices

It is better to plug appliances directly to your generator than it is to use extension cords. Cords can overheat and get in the way, and the voltage at the end of a very long cord is less than the voltage at the generator plug. That voltage drop can affect the operation of the appliance you are using. Additionally, because generators have fuel-powered engines and emit toxic fumes, they require proper ventilation; you should never work one at an enclosed area. Finally, remember to ground your generator, then following the instructions in the manual that comes with it. Failure to do so can result in injury.

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"Evaluation Booster" Projects for Home Remodeling

When it comes to increasing your home’s appraisal value, your selection of remodeling jobs ranges from weekend DIY jobs to major overhauls. While no one project acts as a magical ticket — the sum of additional value ranges significantly dependent on the project, quality of work, preferences of your buyers and several market conditions — many property professionals concur that certain jobs add value to your house nearly universally.

Cosmetic Projects

In 2011, Prudential Locations LLC recorded repairing damaged flooring and painting walls as the best renovation projects for increasing home value, estimating an average price of $700 to $750 per project and returns that range from 200 to 250 percent. In an MSN Real Estate article, Timothy Dahl of the Charles and Hudson bureau recommends painting or refinishing your kitchen cabinets and refitting them with brand new hardware to make the most of your appraisal. Dahl predicts the kitchen “the main room in the house to get right.”

Utility Boosters

Rather than adding cosmetic appeal, some appraisal-boosting house renovation projects concentrate on improving utilitarian aspects of the house. Prudential reports a new roof offers an average yield of over 60 percent of the investment — even more with the addition of a skylight — while replacing doors and windows often generates about a 55 percent yield. The National Association of Realtors recommends repairing all the home’s lighting fixtures, electrical elements and pipes for a potential return on investment ranging from about 300 to 400 percent.

Going Green

Based on Old House Web and The Appraisal Journal, energy efficiency — that is both in trend and great for the environment — equals large returns for appraisal value and house equity. Examples of effective, appraisal-boosting “greening” projects include the setup of energy-efficient appliances, eco-friendly insulation, energy-efficient windows and the addition of solar panels. If you wish to take your green renovations outdoors, the NAR advises renovated landscaping — especially mulching along with the addition of plants for maximum curb appeal — for returns of about 215 percent.

Additional Projects

Prudential also lists toilet renovations and new siding as appraisal boosters, citing yield percentages in the upper 60s. Although they may cost thousands of dollars, complete kitchen renovations can result in returns of 70 to 80 percent, according to the same source. For a virtually cost-free project, simply deep clean and declutter your house prior to the appraiser arrives to add thousands of dollars into your home’s sale price. Talking to MSN Real Estate, Brian Trow of Foundations Investment Group notes that this simple project gives the illusion of space, an integral factor for appraisers who place maximum value on square footage.

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Vegetable Planting Guide for Plant & Row Spacing

Properly spacing your lawn plants and rows prevents your plants from competing for nutrients and water. The ideal spacing to use on your garden is based on the size of the lawn and the varieties of plants you’re growing. Each species of vegetable has a minimum quantity of space it must sustain healthful growth. Although you can develop your vegetables at closer intervals, supplying adequate spacing between the plants allows them to develop larger and reduces their vulnerability to competition and disease.

Row Spacing

The ideal spacing between the rows in your garden provides ample space for the plants to develop and also for you to work in. In most cases it is a fantastic idea to leave at least 18 to 36 inches of space between each row of plants. Large garden plants, such as cucumbers, melons and pumpkins, have sprawling growth habits that develop best with rows spaced 60 to 72 inches apart. Spacing your rows slightly farther apart than the minimal spacing for the plants you’re using can provide you with a more comfortable working area, and also the increased growing area for your plants encourages larger, healthier plants. Leaving breaks 2 feet in the middle of long rows supplies simple access to the middle of large gardens.

Garden Layouts

The most frequent garden layout is a series of parallel rows spaced at regular periods that offer space for your plants to distribute and room to work in. Gardeners that are looking to acquire the most of a limited space can use a block layout. The block layout employs exactly the identical spacing between rows and plants to create a grid of plants. Although this type of row spacing lets you plant vegetables, the tighter spacing of the plants may make them more susceptible to drought and competition from weeds. This type of spacing is most effective in fertile soils with good drainage where competition from weeds is minimal.

Small Plants

Smaller garden vegetable plants, such as beets, carrots, mustard plants, onions, pea plants and radishes, require approximately a few inches of space between plants in a row. Somewhat bigger plants, such as lima beans, bush beans, leeks, leaf lettuce, rutabaga, spinach and turnip plants, develop best with roughly four to six inches of space between the middle of each plant. Pole beans require roughly six to 12 inches of spacing, and mustard, Swiss chard and kohlrabi perform best with a spacing of six to nine inches between plants. Heads of lettuce, potato plants and Oriental cabbage need approximately 10 to 12 inches of space between each plant.

Large Plants

Plants with broad foliage or root processes, such as broccoli, cucumber and okra, require between 12 and 18 inches of space between each plant. Providing 15 to 18 inches of space between your asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, endive, cauliflower, corn and kale plants helps decrease competition and also promotes healthy growth. Large plants that need significant quantities of water require more room to develop. Supplying a spacing of 18 to 24 ins for your eggplant, summer squash and tomatoes ensures they can find the water they require. Winter squash, pumpkins and watermelons perform best when they are planted with a minimum spacing of 36 inches.

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The way to Sand Raised Designs on Coffee Tables

So you’re ready to kick up a little dust — actually — by sanding the raised designs on a coffee table you intend to either paint or paint. Just like sanding jobs, it is better to begin by exerting a mild touch with a fine sandpaper because you could always update your tools and your own efforts. In any case, you do not wish to risk gouging the wood by starting your job with a coarse sandpaper. Sanding is often a repetitive process, so be patient and your table will shortly be smooth as glass and prepared to refinish.

Set the table to a drop cloth or old blanket at your garage. Keep the door open so the area stays ventilated.

Insert the fine sandpaper inserted into a hand sander. Sand the raised designs on the coffee table, using gentle, circular motions. Work from the outside edge to the interior of the plan.

Upgrade your efforts with medium-grit sandpaper for more or much more durable raised designs. Work in a circular motion.

Wipe the layouts from time to time, employing a microfiber fabric. Expand your hand along the surface to ensure you aren’t gouging the timber or creating indentations or gullies in the raised design.

Sand little, ornate designs by wrap a small piece of sandpaper around an old toothbrush so you have maximum control over your sanding efforts. Use cotton swabs to remove dust from tight spots.

Vacuum the layouts with a hose attachment to eliminate as much dust as you can from the table. Wipe the table with a damp rag. Let the table dry.

Run your hand over the raised design in your coffee table to ensure it is smooth. Lightly run the fine seams above the surface to get a finishing touch.

Dust the coffee table, then rub it with a damp rag. Let the table dry thoroughly before you prime, paint or stain it.

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