I Heart HGTV

These days microwaves have more buttons than a TV show control room, so zapping a plate of leftovers becomes a serious challenge. Not to mention the aftermath of a splatter can create a sticky mess with a huge radius. The appliance can be a real time-saver though, and one that even pros use, so to keep it humming along, we went straight to the source. Here’s what your microwave would say if it could talk:

“Microwave-safe dishes are always a good idea”
Glass and ceramic dishes that aren’t microwave-safe absorb the machine’s energy instead of letting it pass through to the food, so they can crack or become too hot to touch.

“Close my door gently, please”
Slamming it could blow the internal fuse so the machine won’t turn on. Then you’d have to call a pro to replace the fuse. Bummer.

“Use that popcorn button!”
When you press a button designated for a certain food, such as popcorn or a frozen meal, you activate the machine’s humidity sensor. This adjusts an item’s cooking time based on the amount of steam it releases, leaving you with a perfectly done dish.

“I’m easy to clean. I promise”
If you’ve let spills sit too long, mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat and let boil for three minutes; keep the door closed for five minutes more. The steam makes gunk a cinch to wipe away, and the lemon zaps odors.

“Cover with plastic or a paper towel? It depends”
If you’re cooking something that you want to stay moist—like chicken or veggies—loosely shield the dish with microwave-safe plastic wrap. But use a paper towel for foods that should stay drier or crisp, like pizza or fries.

The microwave is made for more than Easy Mac. Even chefs nuke stuff!

• Asparagus “Sprinkle with water, salt, and a drizzle of olive oil, then heat on high for 30-second intervals.”—Geoffrey Zakarian, chef at New York City’s The Lambs Club

• Chocolate chips “Heat on low for a minute or two until melted, then use for chocolate-dipped strawberries.”—Ellie Krieger, author of Small Changes, Big Results

• Potatoes “I like to ‘power bake’ them whole for about six minutes on high.”—Alex Guarnaschelli, host of Food Network’s Alex’s Day Off

Some content originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of HGTV Magazine.

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No matter if you’re a first-time homeowner who is basically clueless or a seasoned mortage-holder who is, well, still clueless, there are things you can learn to do around the house without calling a repairman (or your parents).

Here begins your journey to becoming the Mr. or Mrs. Fix-It of your home. Check back routinely for more from our Homeowner Help series, and you’ll walk away with a set of skills everyone should have.

How to Switch Out a Showerhead

What to know: Bring your old showerhead to the hardware store to make sure your replacement will fit the arm that’s already in the shower.

1. Clamp an adjustable wrench around the nut at the base of your showerhead. Turn counterclockwise until you’ve loosened it, then unscrew it with your hands to remove it. With a damp rag, wipe away any residue around the pipe.

2. Wrap plumber’s tape—a thin, flexible white kind used on pipes—around the threads of the shower arm a couple of times. It’ll help create a tight seal and prevent leaks.

3. Put your new showerhead on the end of the shower arm, and tighten by turning its accompanying nut clockwise with your fingers. Then turn on the shower to check for leaks. If you see any, tighten the nut again until the dripping stops.

Originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of HGTV Magazine.
Illustration by Brown Bird Design

Jenna and Andrew Lombardi incorporated personal mementoes and family heritage into their wedding, serving Italian food in honor of Andrew’s heritage at their reception, and celebrating the couple’s love of nature and the outdoors in the farm setting. See more of their farm wedding outside of Athens, GA on HGTVGardens.com.

Want an up-close look inside this classic shingle Florida home?

Care for a tour?

Mary’s got the details on the Dreams Happen blog.

Spring is in the air, but here at HGTV.com, we’ve already got summer TV on the brain. Can you believe it’s almost time for another set of up-and-coming designers to compete for a chance to win their own HGTV show?

This year, Design Star is now HGTV Star: New name, new designers and amazing new challenges with the same great prize. And of course, you’ll still get a weekly dose of host, mentor and original Design Star David Bromstad. Mark your calendar: It all starts June 9 at 8pm/7c. For now, here’s a sneak peek:

Check back here for more HGTV Star news and updates.

Readers rejoice—the May issue of HGTV Magazine is bigger than ever before! That means more how-tos, more budget decorating, more house tours, more landscaping ideas, more expert tips, and more design inspiration—whew, that’s a lot more stuff.

180 pages behind this cheery cover

The issue hits newsstands on April 9, but subscribers’ mailboxes are being stuffed today. Feeling a little left out? Sign up here to become a subscriber and be amongst the crowd who doesn’t have to wait (or even leave their home) to get the latest design, decorating, and DIY advice. For now, here’s a sneak peek inside the largest issue yet.

Find seven cool decoupage crafts like this pop art dresser! Mod Podge can still be cool—we swear. Love this pretty in pink sunroom? See how the homeowners brought new life into the room and the rest of the house after recovering from damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

To create this non-nursery mobile, the homeowner strung paper spheres together on fishing line. See this and a zillion other unique touches inside this family’s farmhouse.

Step inside the 2013 HGTV Smart Home (and enter to win it yourself beginning April 11) to find a programmable shower that remembers your favorite water temperature each time, and an auto-shut-off soaking tub—and that’s just the bathroom!

Yesterday I was all about a pool. I’m having second thoughts today, as I admire this Aspen ski estate:

For this I could learn to ski. Maybe.

It’s for sale! ($47.5 million, FYI) So are all the celebrity homes, amazing retreats, clever cottages and urban design shrines you’ll find on the fresh new FrontDoor.com. All the ogling, none of the closing costs.

I hope you’ll check it out and let us know what you think.

This pool.

Pool of My Dreams

There are lots of other cool features of the HGTV Smart Home, but I can’t mentally make it inside yet because I am stuck on this lap pool. You can program the jets and lights from your tablet. I would never be fully dry if I won the Smart Home (which I can’t. But you can. Sweeps starts soon!)

The editors at HGTV Magazine are bringing back Mod Podge in a big way. Take a look at the projects from our May issue, and read on for tips and tricks to make the most of your own ideas

• Any kind of paper is fine for decoupaging, but if you’re using computer printouts or photos, first spray them with a clear acrylic sealer (like Krylon Crystal Clear, $5.50, dickblick.com) to keep the ink from bleeding.

• You can find all types of Mod Podge: matte, glossy, sparkly, fabric, outdoor, even glow-in-the-dark. Crafter’s choice!

• Use a cheap bristle or sponge brush, since you’ll probably toss it when you’re done.

• For curvy items, like these drawer knobs, use thinner paper, such as paper cocktail napkins or a map, which will be easier to mold.

• After gluing on the paper, smooth out air bubbles with your fingers (for curvy items) or an old credit card (for flat surfaces).

• Once you Mod Podge the paper on your item, you can immediately add a layer of it on top. Let that layer dry before adding more topcoats. The more layers you brush on, the glossier it will look.

Originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of HGTV Magazine.

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