Wow Home Idea

You should own a toolbox — that's a given. But unless you've inherited a load of tools from some handy relative, acquiring the right stuff is easier said than done. So we called David Frane, Editor of Tools of the Trade magazine and former carpenter and furniture maker, to get his advice on how to assemble the perfect toolbox. Illustration by John Swanson Screwdrivers "You'll need different sizes and types so buy an assortment of Phillips, slotted, and square-drive. Look at Klein, which are also made in the USA. They're a heavy-duty, classic design. Be sure to get at least one extra-long shaft screwdriver in slotted and number two Phillips, because sooner or later you will need them to get at things standard shafts won't reach." Illustration by John Swanson Tape Measure "Again, go old school; get a 16- or 25-foot Stanley PowerLock. A 16 will be too short for a framing carpenter or general contractor, but for around the house stuff, it's way ha...

Getty For these pesky flying creatures, prevention is the best form of control, and it's time to get working. Once temperatures hit above 50 degrees consistently in your area, any stagnant water in your yard is a ticking time bomb full of mosquito larvae waiting to buzz. Keep tabs on these places: 1. Tarps If you use tarps to protect woodpiles or to cover your pool, make sure to shake it off once a week. Rainwater that settles in the tiny nooks and crannies can easily become infested with thousands of larvae. 2. Long grass Mosquitoes love to hide in tall grass. Unless you're running a bug hotel in your yard, mow thoroughly and regularly — it will make your property less appealing to mosquitoes and more appealing to humans. Win-win! 3. Kiddie pools "All mosquitoes need is half of an inch to breed, so watch out for kiddie pools," warns TV host and spokesperson for the National Pest Management Association Bob Vila. In other words: Drain this every time your kids are...

Douglas Friedman Want a new kitchen but don't want to spend the money or time necessary on a major renovation? Forget the idea of the "right" kitchen and improve your space with some "right now" partial remodeling ideas. In her new e-book Kelly's Kitchen Savvy: Solutions for Partial Kitchen Remodels (available for Kindle on Amazon.com ), certified master kitchen and bath designer and certified interior designer Kelly Morisseau shares her advice for how to tackle what she calls a "20% kitchen remodel" for maximum impact and minimum frustration.  "Take a hard look at your kitchen with all its pros and cons to decide what can be accomplished first, and what can be accomplished down the road," Morisseau says. "Lifestyle, time spent in the home, and future resale are all factors that should be considered by any homeowner looking to make changes to his or her kitchen, while keeping budget in mind." Check out Morisseau's tips ...

A solid roof above your head is pretty crucial if you've become accustomed to having a warm, cozy, and leak-free home. Here's how to notice and deal with potential issues before they become big ones. 1.Your roof's 25th birthday is approaching. "An asphalt shingle roof should last between 20 and 30 years," says Claude McGavic, executive director of The National Association of Home Inspectors. "If you have a 40-year-old roof,there could be a problem — even if it looks good from the ground." How much time you've got left: Five to 10 years, depending on your roof's condition. If you live in a development and your neighbors are all starting to replace their roofing, that could be a sign that you should do the same. 2. The shingles are curling. Shingles can curl in two ways: There's cupping, which happens when the edges of the shingles turn upward; and there's clawing, which is when the edges stay flat and the middle starts to come up. ...

How many are you familiar with? Brian Moloney/Flickr Coffer Coffers are recessed panels, typically square or octagonal in shape, found in ceiling vaults and domes. Coffered ceilings add dimension and character and are typically found in Craftsman-style homes. The Washington Post Dado This term refers to the lower portion of the wall that is treated differently than the upper, either through the use of color or covering (e.g. paneling or wainscoting). peggydavis66/Flickr Bargeboard At once decorative and practical, a bargeboard is a piece of trim attached to the edge of a roofline to conceal the exposed ends of the roof timbers. In America, bargeboards are most often found on Gothic Revival and Victorian-era "gingerbread" homes. Ariel Piluso Enfilade This term describes a series of interconnected rooms in which the doors are typically in alignment. Alon/Flickr Lock Rail The lock rail is the horizontal element on an ordinary paneled door that is closest to the lock. Sarah...

When they decorate or remodel, they think like a potential buyer. Adrianna Williams Install Built-Ins If you've ever watched "House Hunters," you might be confused by this one. Doesn't everyone want built-in shelving? "Think very carefully about them," says Jennifer Kjellgren, broker and owner of Intown Expert, a real estate firm in Atlanta. "Are they so specific that a future owner wouldn't like them? Will they quickly become dated?" Built-ins can impact the architecture and layout of a room, so Kjellgren suggests trying a less-permanent piece of furniture instead — especially if you know you're going to sell your home someday. Pick Loud Cabinetry We've seen cabinets of all color that pop with personality. But the bolder the choice, the fewer people that will like it. "I'd stay away from any decor that seems quirky or too specific — such as purple countertops or green cabinets," says Redfin real estate agent Julie ...