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How I Restored and Refinished my Grandparents’ Piano

Background

This piano has been through three generations of my family! It was purchased by my grandparents in 1970. That is my dad in the Packer pajamas above (quite the rebel). He learned to play on this piano, as did I after my dad inherited the piano from my grandparents.

This piano traveled with my grandparents from Indiana to Florida, and then with my dad from Florida to Illinois and back to Florida, and then with me and my husband from Florida to Wisconsin after we got married. Needless to say, there was quite a bit of wear on it, but it also had too many memories to just take it to the dump.

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6 Small-Budget Renovations That Will Make Your Kitchen Feel Brand New

Kitchen renovation

The typical cost of a kitchen remodel in 2017 is between about $12,000 and $33,000, with high end remodels costing as much as 50,000 (according to Home Advisor)! If your kitchen is looking outdated but you don’t have that kind of cash to sink into a renovation project, what can you do? Here are 6 upgrades will cost a ton less than a full-fledged renovation project, but can still give your kitchen a whole new look!

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How to Properly Apply the NautiKing System Finish (Nautipoxy & Nautithane) (Video)

nautiking before/after

Preparation

Before you start the application, be sure to thoroughly prepare the surface. It must be clean, smooth, dry, and dust-free.

In order to create a good profile for the first coat of NautiPoxy, final sanding grit should be between 120 and 150. Don’t forget to clean the surface with a tack rag or a clean cloth dampened with a good solvent (such as acetone, lacquer thinner, MEK, or xylene.)

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How to Secure Valuables Inside Your Home

secure valuables in your home

Where do you keep your valuables? If they’re stashed in your dresser drawer, bedroom closet, or maybe even your freezer, they’re exactly where a thief will search first. Other places they’re sure to check are under your mattress, in medicine cabinets, inside toilet tanks, and in bookshelves (including false books). If you’re going to thwart a potential burglar, you’re going to have to do better.

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How to Mix Oil Based Gel Stain Colors Using Layers

Pictured: General Finishes gel stain in java

Oil-based gel stains are great for achieving beautiful hand-rubbed finishes, and their thickness keeps them from dripping, running, or spilling. They might come in a bunch of beautiful colors, but what if you’re still feeling limited? All you have to do is choose any two colors you want, then layer them to create your own custom look! Here’s how to finish a piece of furniture by layering different colors of General Finishes gel stains.

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