Create a Striking Stone Accent Wall - Alternatives to Wood Burning Fireplaces - Five Christmas Tree Tips • HouseCalls Newsletter

Thought for Today: When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” — Erma Bombeck

Create a Dramatic Faux Stone Accent Wall

This stone accent wall looks absolutely authentic, yet it’s made from lightweight polyurethane panels that go up quickly and without any mess. Yes, this is a true do-it-yourself project that requires no masonry skills. In this video, I show you how to achieve this dramatic look, step-by-step.

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Three Alternatives to a Wood Burning Fireplace

Who doesn't love the cozy warmth of a crackling fireplace? But, let's face it, sometimes it's just expensive or impractical or both to put in a conventional wood-burning or even gas-burning unit. Venting alone can be a real challenge. However, there are alternatives available that require little or no installation and, sometimes, no venting. This is a quick, to-the-point overview of what's out there and the advantages of each.

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Five Tips for Selecting a Fresh Christmas Tree and Keeping it That Way

Here are a couple of tips on testing a cut tree for freshness as well as some simple things you can do to keep your tree fresh and safe throughout the season. I’ve also tossed in a handful of other important safety tips as we enter this very special and, sometimes, more risky time of the year.

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