#garage2

[findtek]

10 Must-Know HP Facts: Iconic Innovations and Legacy

10 Interesting Facts About HP Hewlett-Packard, or HP, is one of the most iconic technology companies in the world. From its humble beginnings in a garage to becoming a tech giant, HP has an incredible history. Here are 10 interesting facts about HP that highlight its journey and innovations. 10 Interesting Facts About HP1. Founded in a Garage2. The First Product Was an Audio Oscillator3. HP’s…

[sherlocked-avenger]

Mix and Match Patio Furniture to Create Your Perfect Set

  Maybe your patio furniture needs a complete overhaul. Or, maybe it just needs a little tweaking. When you have the freedom to mix and match patio furniture, you can take what you love and leave what you don’t. Check out how you can create this outdoor oasis with mix and match patio furniture and tropical accents.

Mix and Match Patio Furniture to Create This Outdoor Oasis

The freedom to choose between different options of patio furniture not only allows you to custom create your own outdoor space and fit your style, but also to fit the amount of space you have. So no matter if you’re looking for a small setup for two on a balcony or a large dining table and chairs to accommodate the whole family and entertain friends, you can easily create a one-of-a-kind outdoor retreat. And with everything located under one convenient roof at The Home Depot, you can easily pick up decor and accessories to complete the look.

Add in Tropical Accents

Add string lights and lanterns to enhance the mood with lighting and keep the fun going long after the sun goes down.

And don’t forget tropical pillows to make your outdoor space feel like a true oasis no matter where you live.

Let your new outdoor sanctuary become an extension of your interior by adding a stylish outdoor rug.

Try adding in flowers and tropical plants, like ferns and palms, to tie the look together.

All mix and match patio furniture options are available in-store and online at The Home Depot. Free delivery is available for over 8,000 patio items that can be shipped to your home or picked up in-store. Check out other Patio Ideas on The Home Depot Blog. Follow along on our 2018 Patio Style Challenge to get more outdoor living ideas. Find more inspiration for your patio on our Outdoor Living Pinterest board. 

The post Mix and Match Patio Furniture to Create Your Perfect Set appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2EjmUzk via great info

[m3t4ln3rd]

Knocked Loose & Terror announce co-headlining European/UK tour

Knocked Loose and Terror will hit the road next February on a co-headlining trek of Europe and the UK. Tickets will be available beginning tomorrow at KnockedLooseHC.com. 2/03 Koln, DE – Essigfabrik2/04 Saarbrucken, DE – Garage2/05 Dordrecht, NL – Bibelot2/06 Paris, FR – Gibus2/07 London, UK – Electric Ballroom2/08 Cardiff, UK – Y Plas2/09 Sheffield, UK – Corporation2/10 Glasgow, UK – Queen…

[tporns-com]

via New Videos added daily top quality

[sherlocked-avenger]

Guide to a Complete Garage Makeover

The garage is often the most cluttered part of any house. Jane Ko of Taste of Koko was tired of having miscellaneous items pile up in her garage. After taking the time to clean and create an organized storage system, Jane brought her garage makeover dreams to life.

Check out these five simple steps that will help you transform your garage into the space that’s perfect for you.

Guide to a Complete Garage Makeover

Ever since I moved into my home in 2013, the garage immediately became the spot where miscellaneous items would go but never came back out. The garage became an eyesore every time I pulled in to park my car. Talk about embarrassing when my neighbors would walk by and peek in.

When the new year started, my goal to tackle the garage and have my first home project to be a garage makeover came to life. Purge, clean, and organize. I’m so excited to partner with The Home Depot on this garage makeover transformation!

Materials

BEHR Premium Plus Ultra Paint – Buzz In

BEHR White Flat Ceiling Interior Paint

Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage Hang Rail

Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage 1-Bike Vertical Bike Hook

Husky stack tote

Rubbermaid Laminate Storage Shelves in Black with Upright and Extension Kit

Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage Rail Accessory Starter Kit (7-Piece)

Prepac White Space-Saving Shoe Storage Cabinet

HDX storage tote in peacock

HDX storage tote in grey

Husky Shelf Steel Unit

HDX storage tote in candy apple

Sterilite Latching storage box

Before the Makeover

Here’s what my garage looked like beforehand. Piles and piles of products, boxes of product, old appliances, old furniture. It was a miracle that I could find anything.

Step 1: Purge & Clean

First, I went through everything and started throwing away broken or unusable items, and straight up trash. I took anything in good shape to the local donation center.

Step 2: Plan & Sketch

Making a blueprint of the garage was super helpful. I was able to visualize the space and make sure new shelving would fit. By measuring your walls and ceilings, you can then estimate how much paint you’ll need to buy too!

Step 3: Paint

The home builders didn’t bother painting the garage when I bought the home. I’ve always hated those white stripes. I knew I wanted to paint the garage with a pop of color, so I went to The Home Depot to pick up paint samples. Yellow stuck out to me—when was the last time you saw a yellow garage? I picked BEHR Paint in Buzz In for the walls and BEHR ceiling paint in white.

Make sure to use a primer. Otherwise, you’ll have to do several coats of paint.

Step 4: Installation

The Rubbermaid FastTrack system was my top choice because of the easy installation and customization.

I installed the Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage 84 in. Hang Rail. Then, I mounted the bikes on the wall with the Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage 1-Bike Vertical Bike Hook.

After cleaning up the space, I installed two Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage 84 in. Hang Rails. Then, I added the Rubbermaid 4-Shelf 48 in. x 16 in. Laminate Storage Shelves and Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage Rail Accessory Starter Kit to hang up items like the tennis rackets and pool floaty! Miscellaneous items are stored in the Husky stack totes.

Step 5: Organize

The shoe situation was a mess. I love the Prepac White Space-Saving Shoe Storage Cabinet that holds 35 pairs of shoes!

Then, I sorted everything into different storage bins and then labeled them.

Final Reveal

And that’s how I transformed my garage from this…

Finally, to this! I’m so happy with the garage makeover—all the mess and clutter: gone. Now, every time I come home and open up the garage it’s like a giant burst of happiness from the yellow!

Complete the garage makeover of your dreams with the help of The Home Depot. Find more Storage and Organization ideas at The Home Depot Blog.

The post Guide to a Complete Garage Makeover appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2DLUsBL via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

Kitchen Hardware Refresh

Kitchen Hardware Refresh

Updating your cabinet hardware can give your kitchen a complete refresh.

Oftentimes, cabinet knobs and pulls are the last thing you think about when styling your home decor.  Replacing your kitchen hardware is an easy way to freshen up the look of your kitchen and can be completed easily and inexpensively.

We asked three talented lifestyle bloggers to show how replacing old cabinet hardware can spruce up a kitchen. Here’s a quick round up of their projects, along with links to their blog posts and the products they used.

Classic Brass Cabinet Hardware

Chloe Mackintosh, of Boxwood Avenue, aimed for her kitchen hardware to be something brass, antique, and classic.  Chloe selected these pulls and knobs from the Martha Stewart Living Rustic collection, because she loved the antique finish and classic design. Check out her full blog post here and get tips on how to install your own kitchen hardware.

Classic Black Square Pulls

Avid DIYer, Corey Decker recently gave her kitchen a full remodel. The last thing missing was adding the finishing touches to her cabinets. Her vision for a bright and airy kitchen called for a pop of black accents, and that’s exactly what she found by choosing these Liberty Classic Square Pulls. Take a look at her full project and how she went about installing her new hardware on her blog Sawdust 2 Stitches.

Farmhouse Style Knobs and Pulls

Destiny Alfonso of Just Destiny Mag, wanted her kitchen cabinet hardware refresh to have a slight rustic feel, but still feel somewhat traditional and bright. She ended up choosing two different finishes from the Martha Stewart Living line to achieve a contrast look, bronze with copper highlights and polished nickel pulls. Head over to her full blog post to get her inspiration and step-by-step guide to achieve this look.

Complete your kitchen hardware refresh with the help of The Home Depot. For more inspiration and ideas, read more Kitchen Ideas and Inspiration posts on The Home Depot Blog.

The post Kitchen Hardware Refresh appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2Frnnf1 via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

Create a Custom Statement Wall

We all know statement walls can transform any room. Mandi Gubler, of Vintage Revivals, shares her tips for mixing wallpaper, wood and paint to create a one-of-a-kind design. Keep reading to learn more about this unique custom statement wall!

Create a Custom Statement Wall

I’m a huge fan of statement walls, they’re kind of my love language (if I love you, you get a statement wall…Oprah style.) When you’re embracing the statement wall, paint is usually the go-to medium, it’s easy to use, you can always cover it up if your results fall short of your glorious vision, and it’s inexpensive.

But guys, I’m about to change your mind a little, because wallpaper is here and its here to stay.

Find Your Inspiration

The inspiration behind my daughter’s room is Disney’s It’s a Small World (specifically the one at Disneyland cause I just can’t quit that white and gold exterior.) For four years I’ve been itching to do this room and I’m so happy to finally see the vision come to life!

For this statement wall, I used some paint, wood, and wallpaper to create the design. Mixing wallpaper with other materials and patterns is easy, you just need the right kind. I painted the buildings white and then filled some in with this gold speckled removable wallpaper.

I’m loving how reflective this wallpaper is!

HomeDepot.com has a huge wallpaper selection. It was really hard for me to narrow it down because I wanted to use all of them!

Ultimately I went with the Splatter pattern from Bobby Berk because it reminded me of the texture that is on the exterior from Disney’s It’s a Small World. I am so happy with how it turned out!

Here’s what you need to know about wallpaper on HomeDepot.com. First and most importantly the patterns that they have available are killer. They’re extremely on trend and have designers like Bobby Berk, Genevive Gorder, and a little lady by the name of Joanna Gaines. You may have heard of her.

Temporary wallpaper is the best of both worlds. You get the bold and statement-making patterns that can only come from wallpaper, and it’s extremely easy to remove, damage free, from your walls. It’s also great for novice wallpaper DIYers because it’s re-positionable.

Mixing Wallpaper Patterns

Mixing materials is just one way to use wallpaper, you can also mix different wallpaper patterns!

Here are my tips:

Unless you have a way to physically separate the wallpapers from each other, use natural space divisions as your guide. For example, use one type of paper on the walls in a bedroom and a second pattern in a closet. Or use one in your entryway and another in your living room, as long as the walls aren’t connected, you’re good!

Find papers that have a similar vibe. The peonies, splatter and thermoscad wallpaper patterns are all white and gold and will work together perfectly.

Wallpaper can be a little intimidating if you’ve never used it before. If you’re interested in dipping your toes in the water, try using it in smaller space like a half bath.

Don’t be afraid to go bold. One of the reasons that wallpaper is so magical is because it makes a massive statement. This is why using removable paper is so great because you’re not married to it forever! I love something bold like this Shatter geometric print. Or colorful like this mustard yellow geo print!

To get more info on Vintage Revivals room makeover and all of the furniture details (yes, they’re all from Home Depot!) check out Vintage Revivals here! Find more bedroom inspiration on The Home Depot Blog.

The post Create a Custom Statement Wall appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2n1ENYa via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

AJAC announces category winners for 2018 Canadian Car of the Year and 2018 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year

Seven vehicle manufacturers moved closer today to winning the ultimate accolades of 2018 Canadian Car of the Year and 2018 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year. Their wins in 14 different categories were announced during media day of the Montreal International Auto Show / Salon de l’Auto.

The big winners were Mazda and Jaguar Land Rover, with three wins each. Honda/Acura, Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles won two categories each.

Category winners were chosen by nearly 100 voting members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, who assessed the vehicles throughout the year by driving them and testing them in a variety of conditions. They were scored anonymously on many different factors, including performance, features, technology, design, fuel consumption and value for money, and the highest scorers in each category were declared the winners.

“Our voting policy was changed this year to make it more relevant for today’s car buyers,” said AJAC President Mark Richardson. “Our journalists are all experts in their automotive fields, and I’m very proud of their ability to help people decide on the best new vehicles to buy in 2018.”

All 14 category winners are now eligible to be considered for either Canadian Car of the Year or Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, which will be determined by a separate round of voting. The winners will be announced next month, on media day of the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto on Feb. 15.

Category winners announced today are:

BEST CITY CAR IN CANADA FOR 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf

BEST SMALL CAR IN CANADA FOR 2018 Mazda3

BEST LARGE CAR IN CANADA FOR 2018 Honda Accord

BEST SMALL PREMIUM CAR IN CANADA FOR 2018

Jaguar XE

  BEST LARGE PREMIUM CAR IN CANADA FOR 2018

Volvo S90 / V90

BEST SPORTS – PERFORMANCE CAR IN CANADA FOR 2018

Volkswagen Golf R

BEST PREMIUM SPORTS – PERFORMANCE CAR IN CANADA FOR 2018

Jaguar F-TYPE

BEST CONVERTIBLE IN CANADA FOR 2018 Mercedes-Benz SL

BEST SMALL UTILITY VEHICLE IN CANADA FOR 2018

Mazda CX-5

BEST LARGE UTILITY VEHICLE IN CANADA FOR 2018

Mazda CX-9

BEST SMALL PREMIUM UTILITY VEHICLE IN CANADA FOR 2018

Range Rover Velar

BEST LARGE PREMIUM UTILITY VEHICLE IN CANADA FOR 2018

Acura MDX

BEST MINIVAN IN CANADA FOR 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

BEST PICK-UP TRUCK IN CANADA FOR 2018 Ram 1500

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2EX3OuW via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

Creating a Cozy Kid’s Reading Nook

This cozy bedroom kid’sreading nook was created by Charlotte Smith of At Charlotte’s House.

Using supplies from The Home Depot, Charlotte built the perfect place for her kids to play games or read. Check out Charlotte’s full tutorial on creating the best reading nook for kids ever!

Creating a Cozy Reading Nook for Kids

The one thing that my kids like more than anything is a little nook in which they can curl up and play games or read. In the past this meant draping blankets over chairs and tables, but now they have their own permanent kid’s reading nook that’s handmade using supplies from The Home Depot!

Materials

(5) pine 1 x 3 boards, 8 ft.

(2) underlayment, 48 in. x 48 in.

(1) ¾ in. plywood, 4 ft. x 8 ft.

1 ¼ #8 Trim Head Screws (2 100-nail boxes)

Kreg pocket screw system

Jigsaw

Drill

Sander 43-in. piece of scrap wood (for compass)

Cut List

1 x 3 pine

(4) 42-in.

(4) 41 ¼-in.

(6) 12-in.

(3) 12 ½-in.

¾-in. plywood

(4) 4 in. arcs at 42-in. diameter

48 x 48 Birch Underlayment

(18) 4-inch strips

Our kid’s reading nook is 42 in. high, 42 in. deep and 48 in. wide. I used basic pine 1 x 3 boards, 1 sheet of ¾-in. plywood and 2 sheets of 48 x 48 underlayment.

Step 1: Cut the plywood “ribs”

In order to draw a perfect quarter circle, I made a quick compass using a scrap piece of 1 x 2. I drilled a small hole for a nail at one end and two larger holes for a pencil 38 in. down the board and 42 in. down the board. I lightly nailed the board in place, and then drew my arc with the pencil.

Using a jigsaw, I slowly cut out four arcs from my sheet of wood.

Step 2: Create right angle supports for each arc

Use pocket holes to screw one 41 ¼-in. board into the 42-in. board at a 90 degree angle. Use pocket holes to screw each end of this corner angle into the quarter circle plywood arc. Make sure that pocket holes are on the underside and backside of the corner angle.

Step 3: Cut underlayment into strips

Use a table saw or circular saw with a straight edge guide to cut the underlayment into 18 4-in. strips.

Lightly sand the edges of all your wood.

Step 4: Cut support braces

Cut 12-in. and 12 ½-in. support braces from 1 x 3s. Drill pocket holes into either end of each support piece.

Step 5: Assemble the nook

This nook is big enough that it needs to be assembled on site. I started by connecting two of the arcs with the 12-in. 1 x 3s.  Repeat with the remaining two arcs.

With everything lined up, I connected the two arc pieces with the three 12 ½-in. boards. I had to stagger these middle pieces slightly in order to screw into the pine boards and not the plywood arcs.

Step 6: Add the underlayment roof

Starting at the top corner, I lined up the first strip of underlayment with the edge. I used a 3/8-in. bit to predrill two holes along each plywood rib. I finished by screwing the board in place with the 1 ¼-in. trim head screws (these typically come with the necessary star bit). Repeat, working your way down the arc until the entire nook is covered with underlayment strips.

Step 7: Lights

I added two LED puck lights to the inside of the nook as well as a fun color-changing rope light. Because both are LED, I don’t worry about the lights heating up and, needless to say, the kids love the effect of the changing rainbow lights! I used copper tubing clips to hold the rope light in place.

Final Reveal

I chose underlayment because it had such a lovely wood grain and I wanted to leave it unfinished, but there’s no reason that the surface of this nook couldn’t be painted or stained as desired. The fox print hanging above it has the perfect colors to coordinate with both the wooden nook and the rest of the décor!

My kids all love to curl up in this nook and it’s been the first place they head each afternoon after school. They can easily sit inside the nook leaning up against the wall with feet outstretched. I layered shaggy rugs so the inside is soft and comfortable for them.

The addition of those neutral patterned curtains also adds to the cozy inviting feeling of the space. Lots of texture and pattern to help the sleek wooden form stand out!

Filled with throw pillows (also here, here and here), cozy blankets and their favorite books in a graphic new book bin, this little hideaway is perfect for the whole gang. I added a pair of poufs for some extra perches so everyone can get comfortable.

Create a DIY reading nook for kids with materials at The Home Depot. Find other ideas and inspiration for your children’s room and play spaces on The Home Depot Blog. Follow our Nursery Ideas board on Pinterest.

The post Creating a Cozy Kid’s Reading Nook appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2Bd2im2 via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

Master Bathroom Makeover

A master bath makeover may seem overwhelming—from choosing the tile to selecting the vanity there is a lot to consider. Fashion blogger Lauren Lefevre of Edit by Lauren chose to mix neutrals creating the perfect backdrop to make her colorful accessories pop!

Master Bath Makeover

When my husband and I purchased our house shortly after we were married over ten years ago, I was thrilled by our fairly spacious bathroom but loathed the dark tiling and cabinets. I dreamed of one day turning this space into a relaxing, light and bright bathroom!

This remodel was put off over the years due to babies, a temporary move to Texas and prioritizing other home projects…but this year, I was finally able to make this master bath makeover dream a reality!

I knew I wanted a light, bright and clean-looking space, but also wanted to be sure to choose practical materials that will withstand the daily life of a family of four, who often all congregate in the master bathroom!

Here’s how I selected some of the most important elements of the bathroom: the vanity and counters, floor tile and shower tile.

Choosing a Vanity

The first element I chose for our bathroom remodel was a new vanity. We had built-in-cabinets previously. I love the look of a free-standing vanity, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that The Home Depot had many gorgeous vanity options that were more cost-effective than replacing the old countertops and refinishing/painting the old cabinetry.

The Wyndham Collection Sheffield Double Vanity with Marble Vanity Top in Carrara was our top choice. I love the clean, modern lines of this piece, the square sinks and the white/gray marble.

The multiple drawers and storage are an added bonus! Most importantly, I let the marble set the tone for the tile selections for the rest of the bathroom, taking me in a white and gray color scheme.

Choosing Floor Tile

I always thought I would choose white floors when I remodeled my bathroom. But, when it came to down to selecting flooring, I started to rethink white!

Since our entire family use our master bathroom, I entertained other options. I am so glad I did! I decided on MARAZZI Montagna Dapple Gray floor tile to give the bathroom a warm and cozy feeling.

It’s also more forgiving and livable than all white! I had the tile laid in a herringbone pattern to give it some extra sophistication. This floor is my favorite part of the bathroom! I couldn’t be more thrilled with how the floor adds texture and variation to the entire space.

Choosing Shower Tile & Backsplash Tile

I’ve always loved the look of a classic white subway tile. Choosing the primary shower tile was an easy decision.

I selected a light gray grout to incorporate continuity with the gray flooring. Since I love mixing patterns and didn’t want the shower to be all linear, I selected a hexagon tile for the shower floor as well as for the back of the shower boxes.

I am so happy with the way it turned out, and how the shower coordinates with the rest of the bathroom.

I love my bathroom! It’s exceeded my expectations and it’s been so fun to see these different elements and textures all come together so beautifully! I love how this neutral palette lends itself to any and all color schemes for accessorizing.

Our bathroom is both pretty and practical, comfortable and classic, cozy and chic… and a room we will enjoy for years to come.

Find more Bath Ideas on The Home Depot Blog. Start your master bath makeover with help from The Home Depot. Follow our Bath Ideas board on Pinterest for more inspiration.

The post Master Bathroom Makeover appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2DGkd7s via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

Red Bull Global Rallycross 2018 Season Announced

Red Bull Global Rallycross has announced its 2018 calendar with four scheduled double headers and some new cities – including New Orleans, Louisiana. The final race has taken place in Long Beach, California the past several years; there will still be a race in Los Angeles in July, but in keeping with the “Global” part of the series, the final will be in Europe. The exact location has yet to be announced. Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be a race in Canada this season; the closest to the east of Canada will be in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In fact, that is the only East Coast race at all so far. There is a double header in June with no location indicated. The full calendar:

  Round 1: Louisville, KY (May 19-20) Rounds 2-3: To be announced (June 9-10)* Round 4: New Orleans, LA (June 23-24) Round 5: Los Angeles, CA (July 7-8) Rounds 6-7: Indianapolis, IN (August 11-12)* Rounds 8-9: Atlantic City, NJ (August 25-26)* Round 10: Seattle, WA (September 15-16) Rounds 11-12: Europe (October 27-28)* *indicates doubleheader

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2qsY1e3 via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

Ford F-Series: Variations on a theme

With a massive season of BBQ events, you could say that 2017 was the year of the truck around here, as we hitched the DCS Appliances event trailer to what seemed like dozens of trucks. Naturally, with so many varieties of F-Series models in Ford’s line-up, we had the opportunity to put several different versions to work.

As the top selling trucks on the Canadian market for more than half a century, the F-Series is the undeniable king of the road. The only question for many potential buyers is: Which F-Series is right for them?

  Our red F-150 tester begins an event journey loaded full of gear and towing the DCS Appliances event trailer.

  F-150

The F-150 is the top selling passenger vehicle on the continent. Not just the top selling truck, but the top selling vehicle. As consumers’ love affair with light trucks continues and the traditional car segment shrinks, Ford showrooms continue to churn out F-150s at an unbelievable rate.

Newly revamped for the 2018 model year, the F-150 is close to being the “nice car” that many auto scribes fear. A vehicle which does everything it is supposed to do, with no surprises. It gets decent fuel economy, works hard and keeps its occupants comfortable. Despite being new, driving the F-150 somehow feels like hanging out with an old friend, which goes a long way towards explaining its ongoing sales success.

The previous model Eco-boost 6-cylinder model suffered from poorer fuel economy than most buyers expected, when driven in the real world. The 2018 model has received a new 10-speed automatic transmission which allows the 2.7L V6 to consume about 11 L/100 Km (22 MPG) in combined city and highway driving. Our testing confirmed that this is a real world number, even when towing our small event trailer with the bed loaded with coolers. On the road, the transmission shifts so smoothly that it is barely noticeable.

A trio of power options are available, allowing buyers to choose the best towing capacity for their needs, right up to 13,200 pounds (5,988 kg) which surprisingly comes from the 3.5 V6 and not the 5.0 V8 as many would expect.

Creature comforts abound, from available seat massagers to audio & video options, all using the latest version of Sync, which has proven itself to be a user friendly infotainment hub. Like the folks at GMC and Chevy, Ford now offers a WiFi hotspot in its trucks.

Driver aids have become the modern battlefield as automakers work to protect unskilled and inattentive drivers from themselves and the pickup market is not immune. To that end, Ford has made a wide range of technology available in the new F-150, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Information System which works with trailers up to 33′ in length and lane keep assist. A 360 degree camera aids drivers while backing into a spot and is super helpful when connecting a trailer.

We haven’t tried it, but reports from some colleagues say that the available Pro Trailer Backup Assist system is a game changer for those who are not confident backing up with a trailer.

  The F-250 is a common sight on farms and construction sites.

F-250 Super Duty

Drive by pretty much any farm or construction site these days and you will see a line up of F-250 Super Duty trucks. For the old school truck fan, this is what we used to call a 3/4 ton truck. A big boy. That said, the days of the rough and tumble 3/4 ton beater are long gone. Today’s F-250 buyers can choose to option in all of the creature comforts and luxury items available on the F-150.

The big difference comes in the amount of work the vehicle is capable of. Depending on configuration, the F-250 Super Duty can tow up to  17,562 lbs. (7,983 kg.), half again as much as an F-150. Sitting a bit higher than the F-150 and having a stiffer ride than its smaller sibling, the F-250 also boasts a more imposing exterior look.

While it does ride higher that the F-150, it was not so much taller that we needed to resort to an extended drop hitch in order to haul the event trailer.

There was one negative that we discovered with the F-250 and surprisingly that was a towing feature. This model was equipped with dual pane mirrors, aimed at making it easier to back up a trailer. I’m sure it works fine with a large trailer, but with a small utility type trailer the convex portion of the mirror creates a weird situation when backing up, especially in the dark. The turning movement of the trailer can’t be seen until the trailer has “over” rotated. I guess what I mean is that every single time I backed the rig up, I could not keep it in a straight line and took multiple attempts to get the trailer where I wanted it.

F-350 Super Duty

This is where things get serious! After helping with the weekly press-car swap, my daughter was excited to report that she was at eye level with drivers of moving trucks while sitting stopped in traffic. In other words, the F-350 is a seriously large truck. Our tester was an F-350 Lariat, which is kind of a mid-range model. Full of most of the mod-cons mentioned above fitted to a vehicle with a cabin more spacious than some overseas hotel rooms.

This beast is powered by a 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel which generates 440 horsepower and an inconceivable 925 lb-ft of torque which is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. When configured correctly, the Super Duty can tow up to 21,000 LB!

The height was so great that we would have needed a 6″ drop hitch to tow the event trailer with this truck, so we used it for hauling refreshments instead. We filled the bed with 30 cases of water, 20 cases of pop and a cooler with close to 100 lbs of smoked pork ribs. Nowhere near the 3,461 kg payload rating, the extra 230 kg weren’t even minutely noticeable behind the wheel.

Height is not the only thing one notices about the drive experience. All of that capability means that the F-350 has seriously tough underpinnings and that means a ride that is beyond stiff. If you are spatially challenged in a parking lot, a vehicle of this size is not for you. If you do need a truck with heavy duty work credentials however, the F-350 may be right up your alley.

Ford F-150 Raptor

With all of this talk about work, it might be easy to forget about the fun side of Ford’s F-Series. Powered by a twin-turbo V-6 descended from the mighty Ford GT, the Raptor has the soul of a desert racer. It gets the fantastic fuel economy expected of a winning endurance racing legend in the making, while also boasting hoon-tastic off-road performance. You can read our full review of the Raptor here.

Loads of choices

It is pretty easy to see why the F-Series has an ongoing grip on consumers, as the model line-up really does offer pretty much something for everyone from families and weekend warriors to farmers, construction crews and those who need to tow the biggest loads around.

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2qq6caX via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

Stylish and Customizable Kitchen Makeover

Sarah Dorsey of Sarah M Dorsey Designs planned the kitchen makeover of her dreams with the help of The Home Depot and its kitchen designer services. Read on to find out how she got her dream kitchen.

Stylish Kitchen Makeover with Help from a Kitchen Designer

After years in several rentals, we’ve seen our share of bad kitchens. When it came time for a kitchen makeover in our first home, we knew exactly what we wanted—and more importantly—what we didn’t want!

One of the things that we loved most about our house when we purchased it three years ago was how open the main living space was, with the exception of the kitchen. We knew that it had potential. With a new space plan, brighter finishes, and improved cabinets and appliances, our kitchen went from cramped and dysfunctional to a room that flows with the rest of our house.

It was so easy working with The Home Depot kitchen designer to bring our exact vision to life! Come on inside to see how it came together!

Before

First, here’s a before. The space was dark and cramped for one person (let alone multiple people). Narrow walkways, an awkward corner sink that was hard to reach, a tiny island, angled tile transition and cramped corner cabinets made the space feel claustrophobic.

After meeting with the kitchen designer at The Home Depot, we were able to go over the issues with our space and find solutions with Kraftmaid cabinets.

Custom Flooring

Since we had hardwood everywhere in the main living space except in the kitchen, we wanted to remove the tile and run the hardwood into the kitchen for continuity and flow. We installed unfinished hardwood in the kitchen and then the floors were sanded and refinished.

In-Progress Cabinets

After planning and working through the plumbing, electrical and floors, WOW did it come together in just a few days after the cabinets were installed!

Kitchen Makeover Final Reveal

We also demoed the right corner wall to open the space up and accommodate a large center island. I love how open it feels now! The island is probably my favorite part of the space. We went from a tiny island that was essentially only large enough to accommodate the cooktop to a 6-ft. x 7-in. x 4-ft. x 4-in. countertop. Perfect for preparing food and for friends and family to gather before a meal.

We were able to get a custom cabinet look without the price by utilizing Kraftmaid cabinets in creative ways.

The floor to ceiling cabinets to the right of the refrigerator were created by stacking multiple cabinets to get just the right height. Adding a line of drawers breaks up the doors and adds storage for small flat items, like utensils. The simple flat moulding at the top provides room to get it perfect at the top.

Pro-tip: if you have uneven wood ceilings like we do, get a two-part moulding. It gives a little more flexibility to be adjusted as it’s installed.

Another way we utilized Kraftmaid cabinets was through the island. It’s composed of a 24-in. deep cabinet and a 12-in. deep cabinet with an end panel that matches the doors on each side to cover the seams of where the cabinets meet. Adding a 14-in. overhang and 3-in. square legs provides lots of storage and a place to eat!

One of my biggest complaints about our previous kitchen was the lack of smart storage. Having a place for everything prevents things from being piled on top of each other in cabinets and keeps clutter off of the countertop.

Cabinets

The large drawers to the right of the refrigerator have wooden dividers, which came installed from Kraftmaid. I used to have a deep drawer where utensils were tossed in. I donated extra utensils that were duplicates or not used. Now everything has a place and is easy to find!

The wood tiered drawer storage is perfect for small utensils. I love that it utilizes the entire height of the drawer by including two sections. The top slides back to reveal a second space below. Genius!

We also selected a spice drawer insert. I love that all the spices are within easy reach and easy to find. No more searching through cabinets trying to find the right spice!

Trash and recycling are also hidden within the cabinet, but within easy reach with a roll-out drawer.

Living in several rentals, we’ve used lots of different cabinets. These are by far the nicest cabinets that we’ve used. They are solid, with maple construction and dovetail joinery, have soft close drawers and doors, and a variety of accessories and options. We love them!

My number one must have in the space was large walkways. It makes working in the space much more functional. Multiple people (and two dogs!) can be in the space and not constantly bump into each other. If space allows, 42-in. wide is a good rule of thumb for walkways in kitchens.

Appliances

Throughout the space, we went with black stainless appliances from Samsung. I love the fresh take on stainless and how it contrasts with the bright white cabinets.

Countertops

For the countertops, we went with a marble look quartz, White Arabesque by Silestone. I love that we get the look of marble, but without the maintenance. It’s extremely durable, heat, stain, scratch, and impact resistant and never needs to be sealed!

The open shelving was a DIY—we used white oak that was cut to fit our space and hidden steel brackets. We’re able to keep it neat and tidy by eliminating dishes that we weren’t using and keeping everyday dishes within arms reach in stacks. I love the open feel and warmth that it adds to the space!

Lighting and Accessories

With our wood ceiling, we can’t easily use recessed lighting, so having a variety of lights was important. The large pendants light up the island, the sconces above the open shelving light the outer countertops. Under-shelf lighting creates a soft light that also lights the countertops.

And did I mention that all lighting, furniture and most of the accessories are available at The Home Depot! I’m obsessed with our space and how it came together. I used to dread being in our kitchen because it was dark and cramped. Now it’s my favorite room in the house!

Find out how a Home Depot’s kitchen designer can help with your kitchen makeover. Check out more kitchen makeover ideas on The Home Depot Blog.

The post Stylish and Customizable Kitchen Makeover appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2ECrwNw via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

How To Cut Holiday Letters with a Jigsaw

Rachel Metz of  Living to DIY is known for breaking down DIY projects into simple steps that are easy to follow. Learn how she creates wooden pallet letters to decorate her home this holiday!

Holiday DIY JOY Pallet Letters Tutorial

I have seen pallet letters before but wanted to give these my own personal twist. I never had a reason or word inspiration to execute such a project until the Holiday’s arrived! I decided to create a calligraphy-inspired pallet word that spelled out “joy”!  Before heading into this, keep in mind that you can do any font and word that suits your space.

Just follow this step-by-step tutorial to create a beautiful pallet word.

Tools

Ryobi Drill

Ryobi Jigsaw

Ryobi Random Orbit Sander

Ryobi Reciprocating Saw

Pencil/Marker

Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System

Kreg Pocket Hole Screw Starter Kit

Clamps

Materials

Tape Measure

Wooden pallet

80 grit sandpaper

120 grit sandpaper

Wood glue

Incandescent Rope Light Kit

Step 1: Breakdown your pallet

I started breaking down my pallet by clamping it down to my workshop table and using my Ryobi Reciprocating Saw to detach the pieces but feel free to use another method if you prefer.

Step 2: Measure

I lined up the pallet wood how I liked it onto my table. I then measured it to know how big I needed to make the word I wanted.

Step 3: Pick your font

You could freehand this next step, but if you have a specific font that you like and not the best handwriting  (like me!) then go ahead and create a document that is the size of your pallet and print it out on your computer.

Cut out and tape your word together if you aren’t free handing it.

Step 4: Flip It

Flip over your pallet pieces since we will be working on the back.

Then flip the print out over so it is mirrored then place it onto your pallet pieces.

I traced around it first in pencil because I knew I wanted to make it thicker when I cut it.

I went back and traced around the guideline even larger in sharpie so I had a nice defined line.

Step 5: Measure

I marked guidelines for my Kreg where the pallet pieces needed to attach.

I measured and adjusted my drill bit to the thickness of my wood.

I did the same for the base of the Kreg.

Step 6: Drilling holes

Clamp your wood securely and position your Kreg appropriately with your markings. It does not have to be right on since again these are just guidelines.

Drill your holes!

Step 8: Use Wood Glue and Pocket Hole Screws

Once all my holes where drilled, I lined up and added a bit of wood glue where the pieces met …which isn’t necessary but thought it would add a bit of security.

I placed them together while the glue was wet and screwed in the appropriate size pocket hole screws.

Step 9: Cutout your Letters

I clamped it down to my table once it was all put together. I ensured I had enough space to go in with my Ryobi Jigsaw.

Tip: for the insets, I used a thicker drill bit to create a starting point that allowed me to go in with my Jigsaw from there.

Step 10: Sanding

Once that was cut out, I flipped it over and went in with my Ryobi Orbit Sander.

Step 11: Light it up

To take this design to the next step I added some incandescent rope light to the back of my sign to give it a glow.

I bought extra clips and screwed them in the flow of my word on the backside.

I also love that I can remove this LED rope and utilize it for other projects if needed! I’m thinking…a DIY “neon” sign? Ah!

Style it accordingly to your space! This year our mantle was black, white and natural elements with emphasis on lighting. This DIY pallet word added the perfect glow. The options to personalize this project are endless. Happy DIY’ing!

The post How To Cut Holiday Letters with a Jigsaw appeared first on The Home Depot Blog.

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2D0NIPM via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

AJAC announces 2018 Canadian Car of the Year category finalists

For the third year in a row, the Automobile Journalists Association spent a couple of days at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Southern Ontario, to finalize testing for vehicles which are eligible for the Canadian Car of the Year awards.

For this year’s program, the format changed somewhat in order to allow Canada’s top journalists to test more vehicles. The experts were able to vote for vehicles they have driven all year long, while the event, known in the industry as Testfest, allowed them to get seat time in vehicles which might not have been available to them for testing in their home market.

The vehicles evaluated are then scored by the journalists to rank them in relation to other vehicles in their market segment in order to determine the top vehicle available to Canadian consumers.

Once the scores have been tabulated, the top three finalists in each category are announced. That list was released today.

And the finalists are:

Best City Car in Canada for 2018:

Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Nissan Micra

Volkswagen e-Golf

Best Small Car in Canada for 2018:

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid/PHEV

Mazda3

Best Large Car in Canada for 2018:

Honda Accord

Mazda6

Toyota Camry

Best Small Premium Car in Canada for 2018:

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Infiniti Q60

Jaguar XE

Best Large Premium Car in Canada for 2018:

Genesis G80

Lexus LC

Volvo S90 / V90

Best Sports – Performance Car in Canada for 2018:

Honda Civic Si

Honda Civic Type R

Volkswagen Golf R

Best Premium Sports – Performance Car in Canada for 2018:

Jaguar F-TYPE

Porsche 718

Porsche 911

Best Convertible in Canada for 2018:

Mazda MX-5

Mercedes-Benz SL

Porsche 718 Boxster

Best Small Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2018:

Honda CR-V

Mazda CX-5

Nissan Rogue

Best Large Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2018:

Chevrolet Traverse

Mazda CX-9

Toyota Highlander

Best Small Premium Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2018:

Porsche Macan

Range Rover Velar

Volvo XC60

Best Large Premium Utility Vehicle in Canada for 2018:

Acura MDX

Land Rover Discovery

Volvo XC90

Best Minivan in Canada for 2018:

Chrysler Pacifica

Honda Odyssey

Kia Sedona

Best Pick-up Truck in Canada for 2018:

Honda Ridgeline

Ram 1500

Toyota Tundra

Category winners will be announced at the Montreal Auto Show on January 18. The 2018 Canadian Car of the Year and 2018 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year will be chosen from those 14 winners and will be announced at the Canadian International AutoShow in downtown Toronto on February 15.

  Photo credit: Jordan Lenssen for AJAC

from garage2 http://ift.tt/2oEqAnX via great info

[sherlocked-avenger]

Turbo soul lives in the 2018 Volvo XC60

There have been many quirky vehicles in The Garage over the years, but one of the coolest remains the 1984 Volvo 240 Turbo wagon that we owned for a few years during the late Nineties. Officially, the longest of the turbo bricks was called a 245T. Our wagon was the exact spec that fans of the boxy speedster lusted after: A silver wagon with the correct Turbo blackout striping, Euro style grill with inset fog lights, GLT wheels and a manual transmission. It even had the dog gate which swung down from the ceiling to keep Fido in his place. Sadly, we didn’t have a Fido in those days but it was still neat to have it.

That wagon was perhaps the best family vehicle of all time. It could carry 5 adults in comfort. Fold down the rear seats and it would carry a 4×8 sheet of plywood. It looked cool as hell to those who knew and could keep pace with a Fox-body Mustang off the line. While it was a bit too big for an autocross course, the car was a joy to hustle down a winding country road, even when fully loaded.

Back in the day, Volvo used the slogan “Boxy but good” and their sporting varieties became know as Bricks and Turbo Bricks. They weren’t exactly sexy, unless you were turned on by straight lines. Fast forward three decades and our tester, an XC60 T6 R-Design couldn’t be more different. While there are straight accent lines here and there, sensual curves are the order of the day. Those curves do however push up towards muscular rear shoulders, in keeping with the brand’s heritage.

The interior of the old girl left much to be desired, as many of its surfaces were as square as the exterior. Nothing flashy or luxurious here, just black plastic and blue cloth seats in a style that only really excited a Volvo diehard. The interior of the XC60 on the other hand is nothing short of World class. Without seeming too modern, the combination of sensual curves and well chosen finish materials, the Volvo has a definite Scandinavian flair. The machined metal speaker covers are particularly striking.

Techie types will be astounded by the XC60’s incredibly user friendly infotainment system, which is centered around a 9″ centre stack touch display which operates with the fluidity of a smart phone or tablet. It gives users control over a wide range of audio and vehicle settings to tailor the vehicle experience to the individual driver.

The audio system in particular deserves a mention, as it stands out in a segment which is full of serious audio gear. The Volvo Canada media fleet guy enthusiastically pointed out that the Bowers & Wilkins system has different modes, including studio for normal music and concert hall for higher quality music. Most often, these systems seem, to my ears at least, to simply muck around with reverb settings to change the sound in the cabin. The system in the XC60 was painstakingly tuned to replicate the sound in the middle of the renowned Gothenburg Concert Hall, complete with displaying a picture of the place.

To test the system, I directed the system to play music from my bluetooth connected phone rather than the Sirius XM feed. I brought up my Google Play app and chose the Evanescence Fallen album, hit play and cranked the volume. The sound was nothing short of mind blowing. The drums or thunder or whatever the rumble is in Bring me to life, quite literally caused the vehicle to shudder. After that, a bit of vintage Pink Floyd confirmed that the XC60 offers one of the best sound systems on the market.

Back in 2014, I had the opportunity to spend a rather silly 22 hours in Gothenburg, Sweden, home to Volvo with the intention of going for a ride-a-long in the company’s first self driving car. Sadly, it was raining and the vehicle’s sensors could not “see” the markings on the road, which it used to stay in its own lane. Autonomous vehicle technology is moving forward in leaps and bounds and much of the tech that Volvo was working on three years ago is now included in the company’s Pilot Assist system.

Volvo’s tech sheets describe the system as “Semi Autonomous Drive System with Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Lane Keeping Aid”. Adaptive cruise is not a new concept and lane assist type of systems are becoming more common in the marketplace. Some of the systems offered by other manufacturers are clunky at best, disruptive at worst. Where Pilot Assist stands out is in its seamless, unobtrusive operation. Once could quite easily, gasp, look down at their phone, confident in the knowledge that the car is going to do what it is supposed to do.

You may think I have lost my mind with that statement, but that action is exactly what Volvo has had in mind with their development of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. During that visit, I sat down with Volvo’s Autonomous Driving Director, Marcus Rothoff, to discuss the reasoning behind autonomous cars. Volvo has set milestone after milestone for automotive safety over the past 50 decades, so imagine my surprise to hear Rothoff say that self-driving cars would create “possibilities to open up more time”, even going so far as to say that the technology would allow drivers to stay connected to the internet while they were on the road.

Don’t worry, I obeyed the rules of the road while driving the XC60.

All of this talk of inside technology might lead one to think that the spirit of the Turbo Brick has been lost to modern gadgetry, but nothing could be further from the truth. Beneath the hood of our tester was a 2.0L 4 cylinder that is boosted by both a turbo and a supercharger. Yes, you read that right. The combination generates an impressive 316 HP and 295 lb-ft and is fed to all four wheels through a slick shifting 8-speed automatic unit.

Wait…..what?

If you have ANY Volvo background, a T5 was a turbo 5-cylinder. At what point did some marketing committee decide that a 4-banger should bear the designation T-6? I know, I am crusty and old, but there is something very wrong there. Don’t get me wrong, I knew this was a four-pot Volvo, the way Uncle Olaf intended, the branding just seems off.

What is not wrong is the way the XC60 drives. Around town, with the drive mode in the default comfort position, the XC60 feels like the dreaded nice car. The comfort and technology take the lead. Move out into the country and switch the drive mode to sport however and the spirit of the Turbo Brick quickly makes itself known. Very quickly.

Honestly, during the first few days with the XC60, I was in full responsible Dad mode. The subtle R-Design logo on the rear hatch caught my eye and somehow reminded me that there was likely some fun lurking within this family machine. At the next light, I fully rolled into the throttle and was pleasantly surprised to find that the Swede is seriously quick. Quicker than many cars of the sporting variety.  Sub 6 second 0-60 quick. To put that into perspective, the sort-of legendary 1989 Mustang GT (rollin’ in my 5.0) reached that standard in 6.1. A lot has changed over the years, but a four cylinder Swedish family hauler can still haul ass.

While the XC60 R-Design might not be a track ready weapon like say, a Porsche Macan GTS, it is definitely a vehicle one can have one heck of a lot of fun in and maybe embarrass a few tuner kids along the way.

On a humorous note,  I learned that keeping the key fob in your pocket while washing the XC60 will cause the door lock system to spasm frequently, locking and unlocking the doors, flashing lights and wiggling the side mirrors like a curious puppy’s ears each time the brush or even water stream go near the door handles. Technology can be a weird and wonderful thing.

There was a time when Volvos were driven by science teachers, accountants and rally enthusiasts. In other words, Volvo was the car for the intelligent, the conservative and throw all caution to the wind performance fans. Today’s Volvo is a different animal. The XC60 T6 R-Design is one which still appeals to all three.

  from garage2 http://ift.tt/2oijbKH via great info