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 Guest Post: A Labor of Love - How to Make An Unconventional Living ...   

Are You Willing to Make Your Own Grass Greener?

By Alison Kerr
Been a Long Day Walking by David Masters What if you could live anywhere you like? Wouldn’t you choose somewhere with a job you love and great schools? Or maybe you’d want fabulous places to hike and explore nature – mountains, parks, and beaches. Or the best place to grow the flowers and vegetables you dream of. Making the Choice to Stay Put The reality is that many of us do have a huge amount of choice about where we live. And you know what they say, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” But what if by staying put and making your own grass greener you could help to save the planet and the very things you really care about? What if growing your own sense... More...

Dark, Light, Glass: Refined Contrast in Open Space Living

By Cristina Colli

Today, while I was browsing Skona Hem in search of new ideas for open plan interiors, I came across this stunning apartment, and I had to share it with you.

Luminous, airy and sophisticated, the design combines white, used for walls and ceiling, with coffee-coloured furniture, dark wooden floor,  and glass. Light bounces off the white walls, and the extensive use of glass helps maximise it, too.

Glass encases the minimalist, striking fireplace,  designed by architect Jenny Frigren; I like the idea of storing the wood logs in plain view, they add texture and interest to the scheme. Placed in the middle of the large rectangular room, the fireplace... More...

Mini-Trend: Chalkboard Shapes

By Lolalina

When a plain old rectangle just won’t do:

1. Bliss in a Teacup; 2. The Curiosity Shoppe; 3. MoMA Store; 4. & 5. Playing Grown Up; 6. Old New Again.

I am partial to the whale, but that silhouette is darling, too. What do you think? Would you hang a chalkboard shape or do you prefer the tried-and-true?

(images: linked to sources above)

 

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Channellock 4 ‘N 1 Wrench Set Review

By Ethan

By now, you’ve probably seen a few different “multifunction wrenches”- the ones that combine several popular socket sizes into one handy tool. Craftsman has the Dog Bone Wrench while Black & Decker has the Ready Wrench. Now, Channellock is on the scene with a new offering, the 4 ‘N 1 Wrench Set. They were kind enough to send us a pair and here’s what I thought. Pros & Cons of Multifunction Wrenches I like multifunction wrenches for a couple different reasons.

Compact: Small and compact; fits in a tool box, drawer or glove box. Multiple Sockets: I usually try a couple sockets before I find the right one. Multifunction wrenches enable me to grab one tool instead of five different sockets. As much as I like... More...

Why Self-Watering Containers Work

By Mike Lieberman

When I left for Costa Rica I purposely didn’t have anyone water or take care of my balcony garden. I wanted to test to see how well self-watering containers really worked. All of the reservoirs were filled up the day before I left and were unattended during my vacation. When I got back, nearly all of the reservoirs were empty, but the plants were doing well. The tomato plant set more fruit and had more blossoms, but some of the branches of the plant were dried up. The cucumber plants were blossoming. The carrot, mint and lettuce containers were also doing well.

This proves how easy and low maintenance growing your own food can be. My self-watering container garden went over two weeks during the Southern Cali summer without being watered and was still OK.

Though... More...

Minicabin JaraBacoa

By Michael Janzen

This Minicabin is located in Jarabacoa, a mountain region in the Dominican Republic. It was built by Luis Martinez for about $6,000 US. It’s designed and constructed to be disassembled and moved because the riverfront property it’s built on is owned by a friend. He intends to use it as a second home and it has a sleeping capacity for four adults and one or two kids. The main floor is 100 square feet, the loft is 36 square feet, and the front terrace is 63 square feet.

He chose to open up the longer wall of the house to integrate all the interior spaces because it makes it feel bigger. Due to the Caribbean’s hot climate a lot of air circulation is needed to cool down the house and the terrace is used more than the interior. In this particular location they experience... More...

Tiny Digs? 15 Tips to Supersize Your Small Space

By Cristina Colli

Do you live in a small house? I do, and I know very well the challenges small spaces bring. As an interior designer, I also know how clever design solutions can optimise space, and make a room appear larger than it actually is.

Today I want to share with you 15 simple, effective ways that can help you make the most of your living space.

1 – Less is more. Clutter and excess furniture will diminish the sense of space, so the first, obvious step to make a room look larger is to get rid of all the extra stuff congesting your space. Reduce your furniture and belongings to a few essential items that you absolutely... More...

Favorite Cooking Tools and Tips

By Drew Kime

The Huffington Post had a great little slideshow about culinary pros’ favorite tools and tricks. I’m totally with them on #4 — the huge roll of plastic wrap; # 7 — the microplane; and #10 — adding pasta water to the sauce. But I’ve got a few more favorite things.

Kitchenaid Stand Mixer

I don’t think I’ve found anything that I use it for that you can’t do by hand, or with a handheld mixer. But there are things that I won’t do by hand any more. Like rolling pasta ... More...

Solar Burrito’s Cabin – Update

By Michael Janzen

Solar Burrito’s off-the-grid cabin is coming along nicely. On their most recent visit they finished up the sheathing and sealed it up tight with house wrap. Originally they had a yurt in this same location but it caved in last winter under the weight of snow; so they bought a kit from Penny Pincher Barns and have been steadily building this little dream cabin. It’s located up on shared remote property on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State and you can follow along at the Solar Burrito Blog.

Solar Burrito’s Cabin – Update is a post from: Tiny House Design © 2010 Tiny House Design. All Rights Reserved. ... More...

Why You Want to Add a Birdfeeder to Your Garden

By Alison Kerr

New Bird Feeder by ahisgett

If you haven’t already got at least one bird feeder in your nature garden you’re going to want to add one. Here is why.

It’s Easy

Hanging a bird feeder in your garden is one of the easiest ways to get started with nature gardening.

You don’t need to know precisely which kind of birds live near you, and you don’t need to understand native plants and how to care for them (at least not yet).

It’s Pleasurable

Birds are such a joy to watch. I’ve heard so many stories of elderly folks who practically lived for the joy of watching little feathered visitors outside their window. Maybe you remember too The Birdman of Alcatraz?

Somehow birds... More...

Rustic Elegance in the Catskills

By Michael Janzen

One of my long-time readers, Eva, sent me a link to this incredible little cabin in the Catskills. At first glance it may look like a simple rustic cabin, but on closer inspection the level of fit and finish expose the truth that this is the cabin of gifted artisans. Kim and Jonny began this project four years ago and through careful frugal choices built it without borrowed money. With the help of friends and family they were able to finish it up this past spring.

Kim and Johnny also have a band called Family Band and just released their first album, and Kim runs a website called The Wild Unknown which features handmade items including Kim’s prints and calendars.

Thanks again Eva, excellent find!

Learn more about Kim and Jonny’s Cabin at Design Sponge.

 

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Project: Entryway + Home Office

By Lolalina

I am about to tackle an area of my home that has been sadly neglected until now: the entryway, which is actually the front section of my open living/dining area, and also must contain my home office. In the corner you can see my office setup as it is now:

This is right next to the front door and a big empty wall:

Between the desk area and the back of the sofa is a decent amount of floor space that could be used for…something:

I need storage + organization for my office and entryway-related gear, and I want a more cohesive style/color palette. Here is a partial list of things to buy/find/steal from other areas of my home:

Art Wall hooks instead of tall coat rack Shoe storage?? Area rug/s Mirror Pin board Filing cabinet Extra surface... More...

Before and After: Fireplace & Family Room Turned Fabulous

By Fred

This Before and After from Jenny @ Anything Pretty ran in the 2009 Before and After contest and was one of our finalists.  It’s one of the top transformations of a fireplace we’ve received. Jenny uses paint, accessories, and materials available at the big box stores. We hope you enjoy reading it again, or if you’re new here, for the first time.

This week’s Before and After is brought to you by Jenny @ Anything Pretty.  Jenny, Hubby, and Dad-in-law transform a so-so family room into an amazing, refreshing space.

For her submission, Jenny wins a $25 gift card to Amazon, Lowes, or Home Depot, and we’ll make a $35 donation to Habitat for Humanity in her honor.  Jenny’s also entered into our end of Summer contest for a $150 gift card to... More...

Effective Interior Design Choices Inspired by the Sea

By Cristina Colli

When I first saw pictures of the interiors designed by Studio Public – an interior design company based in the U.K. – I immediately thought of the sea: the calming blues of the water, the soft colour of the beach, vast spaces, seagulls swooping and gliding in the sky…  Studio Public’s clients asked for a tranquil retreat that echoed the beautiful seafront location of their holiday home, and these attractive rooms certainly fit the brief.

Shades of blue and turquoise, paired with soft greys and white accents, give a breezy, calm feeling to the sitting area; the pale timber chosen for  floor and furniture keeps the room airy and spacious. I love the band of wallpaper: it opens up the space, and... More...

Your Take on Disaster Essentials

By Ethan

Over the past month we’ve had several big thunderstorms- lots of rain, thunder, lightning and even some tornado watches. It got me thinking about disaster preparedness kits. After checking my shingles, I started looking around online. The average kit looks something like this:

Water Food Radio Flashlight Batteries First aid kit Local maps Cell phone etc.

For a complete list, there’s a government site called Ready America that includes a recommended emergency kit.

Your One Item

It also got me thinking about what else I’d like to have handy which quickly turned into me thinking about what one extra item I’d like to have with me. Jocie smartly suggested a book. I was thinking more along the lines of an iPod with a super-duper battery. But here’s... More...

10 Signs You May Have A High WASP Guest Room

By Lisa

Sign #1. You furnish your guest room in a patriotic color scheme. Especially when you live by the sea. Red, white, and blue are so nautical. Invest in matching bedding and some throw pillows as an inexpensive way to make everything look like it's there on purpose.

Sign #2. You purchase your guest room furniture from some place reputable, but you avoid family antiques and other treasures. Your guests would feel terrible if they broke something you care about. You would never want guests to feel badly. That's the whole point of hospitality.

Sign #3. You stock up on bathroom sundries. For some reason, everyone forgets razors and they are embarrassing to ask for. The disposable ones are perfect.

Sign #4. Your guest room has enough space for a guest kitchen.... More...

 

I Heart It: Walnut Eames Hang-It-All

By Lolalina

The new limited-edition walnut version of the Eames Hang-It-All has caught my eye:

But is it right for me? I think it would look so lovely on that big blank wall in my entryway. Want more rationalizations? It’s a classic. It will never go out of style. The walnut ties in nicely with my rich chocolate colored sofa. And it holds a surprising amount in a small space. Hm…

(image: DWR)

 

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New Wisk with Stain Spectrum Technology ~ Experiment

By Cupcake Lady

I’m back to share a little bit more about this great New Wisk with Stain Spectrum Technology. A couple weeks ago, I shared with you just how difficult it is to get Nick’s white baseball pants clean.

New Wisk laundry detergent is reinventing the way you’ll look at stains with a powerful new formula and a red-hot bottle.

The good folks at Wisk, challenged us to a little experiment. I grabbed Casey to help me, and we shot a video to show you just how great this laundry soap really is.

There are hundreds of different stains but most stains fall into three major groups:
 * Carbohydrates such as milk chocolate
 * Proteins such as grass
 * Oils such as peanut butter

The piece of fabric in the video was a grass stain, a protein stain,... More...

Tiling a Kitchen BackSplash

By Fred

I’ve been meaning to share a few good reads with you and just haven’t gotten around to it… So instead of waiting for the weekend (when we usually run round-ups), I’ve decided to go way outside the box and share a bunch of links with you mid-week. <gasp!>

Number 1: Headlining this round-up is a great tutorial for how to tile a kitchen backsplash from Todd over at Home Construction Improvement. Todd shares all the steps in great detail, demystifying this project. He also includes some short videos to walk you through the harder steps.

As you can see on the right, Todd’s kitchen already sported under cabinet lighting, a feature we’ll be installing in our kitchen remodel in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for our tutorial on that!

Number... More...

Sweetest Blooms Cupcake Decorating Kit Giveaway

By Cupcake Lady

Aren’t these darling? And they are super easy too! Check out my how-to video and see for yourself, just how easy and fun they are!

Besides the Cupcake Decorating Kit, Very Different Cakes also has beautiful flowers made with crystals, mongrams, butterflies and more!

Each kit includes mix and frosting, liners, sprinkles, jelly beans, lollipops and sugar daises!

HoosierHomemade was provided a Sweetest Blooms Cupcake Decorating Kit, the opinions are our own. Very Different Cakes are providing HoosierHomemade with a Cupcake Decorating Kit to giveaway to one lucky reader ... More...

Garden Tips: Saving Seeds and Starting a Seed Exchange

Photo by Capture Queen ©

By Trent Hamm

Several readers have written to me requesting information on saving seeds from their garden, which is an awesome frugal practice.

Fall is just starting to tiptoe into the picture here in Iowa, and for us that means that the gardening season is starting to wind up. This year was actually a very uneven year for us because of our baby arriving in late April, which made plantings and other garden prep a bit more challenging than before, so we had some vegetables go in very early and others go in too late.

The end result? We have some items that aren’t producing yet and other items that are already going to seed in our garden. It’s those “going to seed” items that I’m going to be focusing on today.

First of all, what I’m going to describe... More...

Decorating with Aqua Mason Jars

By Cupcake Lady

One of my favorite decorating tips, is to use Aqua Mason Jars. I have been pretty lucky to have found most of the ones I use, because they can be a little pricey, sometimes $3 or $4 each. During the Summer, my Father-in-law sold his farm and the family was lucky enough to choose what we wanted. I’ve shared my Chicken Feeder with you, and the little tricycle too. We also brought back quite a few jars, mostly the Aqua Mason Jars, but also some others.

I found this wire basket in the barn, at my Father-in-laws, and lots of different sizes of jars. On the windowsill in my Dining Room, I fill them with a candle…And on the table to hold ivy and grass from the yard…And even in our Bathroom, to hold Q-tips, Band-Aids... More...

Gardening Patience Brings Rewards

By Alison Kerr

There is no patience like that of a gardener, unless it’s the patience of a parent.

Both kids and gardens take a long time to truly bloom; there is really no substitute for the time and energy you need to invest to do the job properly.

You’ll Be Rewarded

While your garden, just like your kids, may never end up being precisely the way you first dream of as a new gardener, there will be plenty of rewards along the way.

Story of a Rain Garden

I first heard about rain gardens several years ago. And for the last 11 years I’ve dreamed of seeing a hummingbird in my garden. So, last fall I was out in the garden hauling on ropes and pulling down cedar trees to make space... More...

14′ x 20′ Interior Space Ideas

By Michael Janzen

One of my readers, Ana, found a 14′ by 20′ house shell for sale and posted a photo of it on the Tiny House Design Facebook page. She asked me if I had any ideas about how one might turn this size structure into a comfortable home for two people.

Below are some drawings I threw together to show what I was thinking. I started with a fairly normal sized bathroom (7′ by 5′) and a small kitchen. Because this could be a small home for two people, and everyone needs their space from time-to-time, a separate room seemed like a good addition, but with 280 square feet that’s tough to add.

My solution was to add a floor-to-ceiling cabinet that serves as a room divider. The back room could serve two functions this way, as a bedroom and den. It could also allow... More...

Decrease Your Spending on Dry Cleaning

By a Guest Contributor at Money Ning

 

Dry cleaning your clothes is an expensive proposition. For many business people, the need to have suits properly cleaned may seem non-negotiable as it relates directly to their professional appearance. However, with a little effort, you could be saving money and looking good. Read on…

Avoid buying clothes that need dry cleaning

While there are some items that are going to need dry cleaning no matter what, such as suits or wool coats, purchasing clothes you can wash at home is less expensive. Cotton dress shirts are easy to wash at home, and if you take them out of the dryer while still a bit damp and hang them, ironing is minimal.

There are also shirts that are of the non-wrinkle type. Buying those instead could literally save you... More...

 
      

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Hut 2.0 – Tiny House Raising with Friends

By Michael Janzen

A great way to build a tiny house is with friends – kind of like a mini-house raising. Ryo Chijiiwa did just that a couple of weekends ago at his property in a remote part of northern California. Ryo had already built a little hut but wanted something a bit more substantial so he came up with a simple post and beam design and invited friends to come camp out and help build. Hut 2.0 just 96 square feet but will have ample loft space and will be much more comfortable for Ryo’s extended stays.

For more about this project visit Laptop and a Rifle. Hut 2.0 – Tiny House Raising with Friends is a post from: Tiny House Design © 2010 Tiny House Design. All Rights Reserved. ... More...

Kichler Design Pro LED Under Cabinet Lighting

By Fred

We told you last week that coming up soon on our list of articles would be a tutorial for installing under cabinet lighting, a project we’ll be tackling next in our ongoing kitchen remodel. Coincidentally, as we were planning the project, Kichler Lighting reached out to us and asked if we’d like to try their new Design Pro LED Under Cabinet Lighting solution in the space. We jumped at the opportunity!

We like the idea of installing an LED-based under cabinet system for two reasons: (1) it uses less energy than incandescent or halogen alternatives; and, (2) the LED light bulbs last for 20,000 hours (or in practical terms, forever).

Kichler gave us access to Jeff Dross, their senior product manager for the Design Pro series and a veteran of the lighting industry.... More...

Back To School Printables

By Cindy Lou Hopper

Look at this fun round-up of free printables perfect for back to school. From lunch box notes to bookplates, these generous and talented bloggers have you covered!

Bird Crafts has a back to school set that includes a bookplate and cute circles that would also make darling cupcake picks and stickers.

Paper Glitter has adorable pencil circle tags that make great cupcake picks and stickers.

These awesome apple thank you cards from TomKat are bound to come in handy this year!

From one of my favorites, Eighteen 25,  the sweetest printable lunch box love notes!

Frog Princess Paperie also has some pretty and heartfelt printable lunch box notes!

Yet another set of adorable lunch notes! This one from Issa for Executive... More...

Change Up Your Organizational System

Photo by Ali Edwards ©

By Power of Slow

Organizational techniques are as myriad as the people who create them. Stephanie Schneider, a rising junior at Carnegie Mellon University, offers her insights into procrastination and the need to satiate our love of the ‘new’. Hear her tale on how she overcame her inner pig-dog (that’s innerer Schweinhund for you Germanophiles) on today’s Focus Fridays podcast.

If you like what you hear, don’t forget to right-click, save, then place your Power of Slow badge of honor anywhere in your social media universe. We appreciate you spreading the word that slow is faster and that fast is merely exhausting!

Filed under: multitasking, procrastination, productivity, Slow Living, technology, Work Tagged: business, Carnegie Mellon University,... More...

15 Sensual Practices For Growing And Using Tomatoes

By Lisa
1. Buy an organic seedling at your locally-owned nursery. You approve of capitalism, but prefer not to ravage the planet with the chemicals of agribusiness.
2. Plant said plant in your front yard. What? That's where the sun is, that's where the tomato plant is going, the neighbors will understand. And no, we don't think it's overly quirky.
3. Install simple drip irrigation. It's very nice to rough it, and grow food, and all, but we're not going to stand around with a watering can for days on end. Thank you very much. 4. Rebel against cages. Decide you are going to stake your tomato plant simply, with dignity. Drive a stake into the ground. Imagine you are done. Spend the next couple of months tying your plant to said stake with unsightly white twine, searching... More...

5 Tips to Designing a Successful Rain Garden

By Alison Kerr

My own rain garden is thriving, and the hummingbird has been back to visit.

Today I’m sharing with you top rain garden design tips from authors Helen Kraus & Anne Spafford who inspired me to get digging.

I hope they will inspire you to start planning your own rain garden.

Location

Location, location, location! Be sure to site the rain garden where it will catch the most rain.

Take time to study how water flows across your yard in a rain storm. The lowest point on your property is not ideal (unless the ground continues sloping down to your neighbor)—you want to capture the water before it gets to that spot. It is difficult to dig there and expect it to... More...

Saddle Valves to Connect Refrigerator Water Supply

By Ethan

A coworker mentioned that he was having a refrigerator delivered and his weekend project was connecting the water supply line. I told him to grab a saddle valve and turn his weekend project into an hour-long project. Saddle valves make it easy to tap into water supply lines. Here’s how to install one and a couple things to keep in mind.

Refrigerator Water Supply

Most modern refrigerators include a filtered water and ice dispenser. For that to work, the refrigerator often has a flexible, 1/4″ water supply line on the backside. The only question is how to attach it. Assuming copper pipe, you can solder a new junction but there’s an easier way.

Self-Tapping Saddle Valves
Just like the name implies, these valves look like... More...

A Call for Cottages

By Michael Janzen

You might recognize this tiny house; it’s the studio of Sandy Foster and has appeared on many places online since it was first featured in the New York Times. It’s an old hunting cabin that she renovated herself. It measures 9-feet by 14-feet and cost her just $3,000.

Sandy is writing a book about her studio and is looking for others who have built similar small cottages, preferably made from salvaged materials and decorated in a romantic style (shabby chic, French, farmhouse). If you’d like to share your tiny house story with Sandy, you can contact Sandy through her blog ... More...

Ladder Safety Considerations

By Ethan

Ladder safety guidelines and precautions are almost second-nature. You feel unstable standing on the very top of a ladder because it’s not a good idea. That doesn’t keep most people (myself included) from taking a few liberties when using a ladder. This post will walk you through some safety tips and regulations to keep in mind next time you’re using a ladder.

Ladder Duty Rating

Make sure you pick the appropriate ladder for the job. Duty rating describes the maximum safe load capacity of a ladder. The total weight of the climber, tools and materials must be less than the duty rating. There are five duty ratings set down by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Light duty Ladder type III 200lb working load Medium duty Ladder... More...

10 Home Maintenance Tips to Reduce Costs in the Long-Run

By Thursday Bram

A home costs a lot of money over the years, whether you rent an apartment or buy a house. But the costs go up by a lot if you find yourself having to do major repairs — the bill a plumber or an electrician can send may quickly translate into a heart attack.

But an ounce of prevention really can be worth a pound of cure, just like Ben Franklin said. Putting time and effort into maintenance means that even if there is a problem, you’ll see it coming. At the very least, it means you can save up for the repair work you know you’ll need to do. Here are 10 tips.

Get to know the lay of the land: Your yard and surrounding areas can have a major impact on the maintenance your home needs. If, for instance, you have plenty of trees... More...

How to Simplify When You Really Love Your Stuff

By Barrie Davenport

“It all depends on whether you have things, or they have you.” ~Robert A. Cook

Editor’s Note: This post originally ran as a guest post by Barrie Davenport on Zen Habits.

Simplicity. It is a lovely ancient spiritual tradition that has seen a recent resurgence in popularity.  As we try to make sense of our erratic economy and the accompanying financial anxiety, it is natural to leap to a less risky lifestyle extreme — stop spending, scale back, live lean.

If you are a regular reader of Zen Habits, you are probably intrigued by the idea of simplifying. In fact, you may have even given up many material things and actively live a very simple life. People who have adopted this level of  simplicity, especially in the land of consumerism, are incredibly... More...

Hybrid Cob/Earthship Workshop in October

By Michael Janzen

David Reed will be hosting an intensive 10-day cob/earthship workshop in Hempstead, Texas starting October 1, 2010. The workshop will show you everything you need to know about building your own cob home. Participants should plan on bringing their own accommodations (tents, RVs, trailer, tiny houses) for camping-out at this off the-grid community.  On the 6th of October the participants will take a break and visit The Blackwood Educational Land Institute, an ecosystem and living classroom for sustainable living.

Learn more about this workshop and others at New Jura Natural Building.

Hybrid Cob/Earthship Workshop in October is a post from: Tiny House Design © 2010 Tiny House Design. All Rights Reserved.

 

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Kenmore Elite Dishwasher Review | Model# 1394

By Ethan

Kenmore just recently released a new line of Elite appliances including the new 1394, stainless dishwasher with 360° PowerWash technology. This dishwasher is elegant, efficient and packed with all the features you’d expect from an industry leader. Read on for the full review and feature guide.

What Is 360° PowerWash?

360° PowerWash is an innovated approach that “blasts dishes from all angles”.

 

Kenmore Elite Dishwasher Review The highs: Ultra-quiet; excellent washing; energy-efficient; stainless-steel; adjustable rack; cycle-status display. The lows: Very sensitive control buttons. The verdict: This is an amazing dishwasher; highly recommend it!

 

Installation

Installing this dishwasher took... More...

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