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Working on hands-on projects is a great way for parents and kids to spend time together, share skills, and create practical items that can be used for years. But which projects are the best for families to collaborate on? The Benefits of Sharing Projects Working on a constructive, useful project can benefit both kids and parents. Not only will there be a completed project in the end, but sharing tasks and ideas along the way will help improve communication and foster teamwork and helpfulness. Children can learn new skills and how to use tools properly, while parents can gain insights...

One of the latest trends in kitchen design is the integration of technology. This includes the use of smart appliances such as ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers that can be controlled via a smartphone app. Additionally, touchless faucets, hands-free trash cans, and under-cabinet lighting controlled by motion sensors are becoming more popular. The goal of incorporating technology into the kitchen is to make cooking and meal preparation more efficient and convenient.Another trend in kitchen design is the use of natural materials such as stone, wood, and concrete. These materials offer a warm and organic feel to the kitchen and can also...

Updating a primary bathroom can be wonderful to meet changing needs, refresh for a modern style, or improve home sale prospects. But what bathroom remodeling ideas are best for different projects? Why Are You Remodeling? There are many reasons why a bathroom might need to be remodeled. Leaks or other damage may make the room unusable until it is remodeled, or changing needs of the family may require adjustments to fixtures, shower stalls, tubs, or entryways to make the room more accessible or practical. A poorly designed primary bath can be remodeled to improve functionality and efficiency, or it may...

When it comes to energy use in your home, only the kitchen rivals the bathroom. If your home has more than one bathroom, the energy use can increase even more. Large amounts of heat, water and lighting are used in the bathroom every day, by every member of the household.Obviously, it would be a benefit to both the environment and every homeowner’s wallet if considerations were taken to improve the energy efficiency of the bathroom. The EPA has estimated that if just one in ten homes were to upgrade their bathrooms with energy efficient fixtures (sinks, toilets and showerheads) over...

As kitchens have evolved into bigger rooms with more activities and people, the original work triangle is joined by zones that serve multiple functions. Here’s how to make the parts work together seamlessly. What's the triangle's origin? When kitchens were built in new suburban communities after the Second World War, many builders designed them based on a single work triangle since the rooms often were small. The main appliances—refrigerator, range, and sink--were placed at the tips of a triangle to save steps. Anybody working could pivot from one appliance to another. What are current NKBA guidelines? As time went on,...