Standard Sizes When purchasing a pre-made patterned rug, such as an Oriental or Persian rug, start by considering the standard sizes available. Usually, area rugs are available in the following “standard” sizes. (Keep in mind that they may vary by several inches either bigger or smaller.): 3 feet by 5 feet4 feet by 6 feet5 feet by 8 feet (Note: This has replaced the 6 feet by 9 feet size that was formerly standard....

But having mismatched nightstands isn’t always an accident of fate. While some people wouldn’t dream of having mismatched nightstands, for others, twin bedside tables feel too matchy-matchy, an outdated relic from the days of mass-produced matching furniture sets. Today, many leading interior designers and experienced home decorators choose to mix and match nightstands on purpose. Mismatched nightstands say we are a pair, and we look good together, but we are not twins....

In the beginning, the laser levels in use weren’t self-leveling, meaning the user had to manually adjust the tool’s position until the traditional bubble levels read level. Once the tool had been positioned, the laser line it cast could be considered perfectly level. Later, self-leveling lasers became a popular option, especially in interior construction. With this option, the user could place the laser, and a level line would instantly be created....

There are many benefits to using greensand in your garden and lawn. It can enhance soil structure, increase root growth, and is good for the overall health of plants, because it gives them more nutrients. Definition and Composition Also called “glauconite,” greensand is a material from the ocean floor that is mined to be used as a soil conditioner or fertilizer. It has a bluish-green color and is made of marine potash, silica, iron oxide, magnesia, lime, phosphoric acid, and about 30 other trace minerals....

What Are Predatory Wasps Many of these beneficial wasps lay their eggs within the eggs or inside the bodies of their hosts—they parasitize them, that’s why they are also called parasitic or parasitoid wasps. It is usually during their larval stage that these wasps do their job of biological pest control. They eat the eggs, larvae, and pupae of their hosts, which keeps populations down. The adult wasps mostly consume nectar, pollen, and honeydew and only occasionally prey on other insects....

Check plant tags or look online to learn each plant’s water requirements, and follow these tips to learn how to water your plants in a variety of conditions. 1. Water Thirsty Plants Immediately When a plant, even if it is well-established, looks wilted and under drought stress, water it right away. Always check the soil first, though: often plants look stressed and droopy because they’ve been overwatered. 2. Water When the Soil Is Dry For all other plants, water when the soil is dry....

The Difference With standard 3-slot grounded receptacles, the ground slots for both halves of the receptacle are electrically connected to the receptacle’s ground screw. The circuit wiring has a ground wire that connects to the ground screw to complete the ground safety connection for the receptacle. If the circuit feeding the receptacle includes metal raceway (conduit and electrical boxes), the receptacle also can be grounded to its box and the conduit via the two metal “yokes,” or mounting ears, that connect it to the box....

“As a heritage brand that’s been around for over a century and a half, J.R. Watkins has been in the homes of many for generations—and as we grow beyond our current assortment of apothecary remedies that protect, soothe, and solve, we value our community’s input into what we create next,” says Melissa Ayers, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation at J.R. Watkins. “Our community shared their desire for a complementary top-of-counter dish cleaner to pair with their J....

My childhood was defined, more than anything else, by playing cards, often into the wee hours of the night at a table that always had room for one more, with my Grandma Ethel at the helm. It’s fair to say that cards are in my blood, and as long as a deck of cards is involved, I’m in. So, when I came across the Jax Sequence game (essentially a board game melded with cards) several years back, I was more than excited to give it a try....

But many homeowners get so caught up in the excitement of creating a kitchen island that they end up with space problems. The kitchen island might be oversized, impeding kitchen traffic as well as visually overwhelming the room. Cooktops might be placed in the wrong spot, hoods and exhaust fans forgotten, and sink opportunities passed over, with outlets not located in the proper places. Learn how to create and space your kitchen island, along with all of its peripheral services....

But the term also has a broader application, which includes not only the above (I’ll call it “landscape maintenance proper” in order to make a clear distinction), but also something else: namely, installing new features. The argument for using the term in this broader sense is that, to keep a property looking its best over the years, it may make sense at times to tweak its makeup. If you’re seeking information on installing such features, you may wish to browse the following:...

Given the health concerns of consumers and updated government regulations, alternative paints have been coming into the market in recent years, offering high-quality, reasonably priced formulas with relatively low levels of VOCs. However, not all low-VOC or no-VOC paints are equally healthy for your indoor air. Understanding some basics of VOC standards can help you choose a paint that meets your own safety requirements. Green Seal Standard GS-11 for Low-Odor or Low-VOC Paint Voluntary standards for VOC content in alternative paint products have been established by Green Seal®, an independent non-profit organization that sets standards for environmentally responsible, or “green,” products....

There’s a reason you see this type of flashlight in spy thrillers and police shows—they’re convenient, durable, and helpful. This popular rechargeable option form Maglite, one of the most trusted flashlight brands, is certified by the National Tactical Officers Association and used by professionals around the world. To see if this heavy-duty, tactical flashlight lived up to its reputation, I tested it around my house and while rounding up sheep on my farm, evaluating all the important features from design to battery life....

Manure tea is exactly what it sounds like—manure steeped in water. Once it ​steeps, the resulting liquid is rich in nutrients and can easily be diluted and applied to your garden plants. What Kind of Manure to Use Horse, cow, poultry, or goat manure are all appropriate for making manure tea. You can also make a decent manure tea from rabbit droppings as well. Avoid manure from carnivores such as cats and dogs, as these contain harmful pathogens that could make you sick if they come into contact with your food....