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I.m going to be coating a formica kitchen countertop using a counter kit (something like Rustoleum's counter coating kit). I'd like to chamfer the edge a little to make the finished counter appear more like a solid countertop. Something about the square edge feels less than luxe. Is it possible to get good results using a router, or will I suffer a world of chips? [more inside]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 6:15 PM - 4 answers

Where in the US or online can I purchase red hammered-finish paint? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Wu at 8:48 AM - 6 answers

We have a secure bike room, about a dozen bicycles, from small kid to beach cruiser. The floor is concrete; the walls masonry and the room spacious. I am looking for an inexpensive rack which does not need to be bolted to the floor or walls to help corral these bikes. Amazon has a bunch but I'd really prefer real recommendations from real folks. [more inside]
posted by crush at 2:03 PM - 7 answers

This is a picture of the plastic pipes that are screwed together, joining my inflatable hot tub to its "control center (heater, etc.)." [more inside]
posted by DMelanogaster at 10:09 AM - 18 answers

The last two places I lived had a significant mold problem (including where I am living now). I am living in university apartments, and I don't think its just mold either, I think its a lack of regular cleaning and like other maintenance. since the pandemic - weekly vacuuming the halls to only between semester breaks or if/when someone complains. It's left me sick as a dog. I don't want that again, but it seems to take time for symptoms to manifest, and even longer to realize they're pretty significant. [more inside]
posted by [insert clever name here] at 4:35 PM - 4 answers

The AC failed while I was traveling during a particularly humid time which led to mold breaking out in the ceiling in two rooms. The remediation plan has been thrown off by asbestos popcorn ceiling. Details within. [more inside]
posted by Candleman at 1:28 PM - 4 answers

I paid a bunch of money to have four giant arborvitae planted on April 5, and apparently it doesn't rain in Michigan anymore. More inside. [more inside]
posted by FencingGal at 4:27 AM - 8 answers

I converted an Ikea Milsbo into a plant cabinet and need to replace the grow lights I'm using. I'd like to get something appropriate but not too expensive. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:35 PM - 3 answers

More/alternate, non-gross uses for 20 quart/5 gallon/roughly 19 liter cookpot sought... any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by Crystal Fox at 10:51 AM - 11 answers

.We have a huge tree in our front yard that belongs to the city. The birds love the tree but the problem is we have bird poop all over the driveway. I have to have the cars in the garage at all times. How do I clean the poop droppings off the driveway. [more inside]
posted by Tziv at 9:55 AM - 6 answers

Wondering if any MeFites in the Seattle area have had good experience getting a residential cedar fence replaced and would be willing to pass on a recommendation. Bonus points if the company is minority/queer/woman-owned. [more inside]
posted by FallibleHuman at 11:47 AM - 2 answers

I had to move to a house that's half the size of my previous one. I have a lot of junk that I use anywhere from a few times a year to once every 3 years (e.g., specialized ski clothing or that book holder that works well when I go to a certain lake to read). [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 10:01 AM - 18 answers

Can this track lighting fixture use this IKEA LED bulb? Neither one has been ordered yet. [more inside]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 6:59 AM - 8 answers

We have a couple historic apple trees on our property, have to be at least 100 years old and they are probably not going to survive another 10 years. I would like to preserve and replant some of the same species - is this something I can do with an arborist or seedling center, bring some seeds/apples/etc and pay to have them grown to a state they can be planted in? And is there any particular course of action best taken here?
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 12:13 PM - 13 answers

I need blackout curtains that totally darken my bedroom. They do not need to be noise-reducing. [more inside]
posted by bookworm4125 at 6:39 PM - 9 answers

I'm making some replacement screen windows for my basement, which has been a fun learning process. The one thing I'm hung up on is getting replacement window latches. They're like bowtie latches, but the right hand side of it is ~1/3 - 1/2" offset from the other to fit over the window frame. [more inside]
posted by Kyol at 9:28 AM - 4 answers

I just planted black eyed susans, frost aster and sand coreopsis in a sunny bed beside my house. Thirty hours later, the black eyed susans have withered to the ground, one frost aster is wilting and the other has brown spots on the leaves. What is going on? [more inside]
posted by Frowner at 8:48 AM - 15 answers

I recently snagged a knockoff Eero Ball Chair on FBM. It's already been painted badly. What type of paint can I use to redo it? [more inside]
posted by Charity Garfein at 1:50 PM - 7 answers

About two hours ago I decided to use this carpet refresher powder in an attempt to vanquish the smell of my cat's barf. I applied it rather liberally across a section of my carpet but it made everything smell like an acrid combo of lemon and spearmint so I immediately vacuumed it back up. Now I've got a cough and watery eyes. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by The Adventure Begins at 10:26 AM - 6 answers

This likely falls into fantasy-land for me, but this is my dream deck. But wouldn't the wood flush with the ground rot? [more inside]
posted by Ollie at 5:19 AM - 16 answers