There was a time where a hand plane was an indispensable tool, used to smooth, shape, and straighten just about every piece of wood in a house. The typical carpenter lugged around a whole chestful of planes, each with its own special function. Today, power tools — routers, jointers, belt sanders, and power planers — do the same tasks much faster, relegating many old planes to the shelves of collectors. There aren't as many types as there once were, but the hand plane is far from extinct. When Would You Use a Hand Planer? Photo by Keller & Keller A…

In our endless quest for slow, meaningful design, we’re admiring Obakki, a Canadian homewares brand specializing in small batches of limited-edition products made by artisans all over the world. Obakki’s emphasis is on slowing down to make unique, made-to-last wares that honor local design traditions—by visiting makers around the globe, using only native materials, preserving time-honored means of making, and emphasising transparent and sustainable supply processes—and it shows in their beautiful, made-with-care products, from glassware to candles to rugs. This month we’re partnering with Obakki to give away two $250 gift cards to the online shop, just in time for…

Hanging a wreath made from anything but evergreens may make some people itch like a kid in an ugly Christmas sweater. 7 Fresh Holiday Greenery Decorations Plenty of natural materials can give a fresh and lively twist to traditional decorating schemes. Here, This Old House TV landscape contractor Roger Cook and landscape designer Jenn Nawada share their favorite ideas for sourcing holiday decor from nature. 1. Festive Holly Photo by Juliette Wade/Getty Images We can't forget this holiday-greenery staple. Roger suggests finding long branches that have lots of berries and will fit nicely in your display. Tuck sprigs into an…

If you’re entertaining during Thanksgiving, here’s a checklist to help you prepare so that you can enjoy and clean up afterwards with less stress. 7 Thanksgiving Prep Tips 1. Make Sure Your Dishwasher Is in Top Shape Photo courtesy of GE Take out the racks and scrub with mild detergent. Use a toothbrush to remove any gunk on the utensil holder. If you see exposed metal or nicks in the vinyl when cleaning your dishwasher, patch with a rubber coating like Plasti Dip ReRACK ($8.99 for a 1-oz. bottle; Ace Hardware). Remove the sprayer arm. Clean it using a cotton…

Above: One of our all-time favorite outdoor Thanksgivings, from Into the Wild With Le Marché St. George. On our radar this weekend: London’s Hand Sale is going virtual this year from today through next Saturday, November 28th. Follow along at @thehandsale on Instagram for finds from Remodelista favorite Kirsten Hecktermann and more. (Follow @kirstenhecktermann, too, for coupon codes and specials.) We’re curious to check out the new line of ethically made homewares from clothing company Kotn, with essentials for the kitchen and bed. Julie let us know about Design Series 8, the end result of a year-long project by potter and…