The leafy, spreading foliage normally doesn’t grow much taller than 10 inches, but the flowering stalks that appear in early summer can shoot up much taller. Its small, white flower umbels aren’t particularly ornamental, and some people simply cut the flowering stalks back to prevent the ground cover from looking untidy. It readily self seeds and its rhizomatous roots mean that it can be an aggressive spreader and difficult to eradicate once established....

Imagine falling into bed to the softest sheets you’ve ever snuggled up under. When we tried the Boll & Branch Hemmed Sheet Set, that’s how we felt. And since the sheets are certified organic and fair trade, we were able to sleep with a clear conscience, knowing that these eco-friendly sheets were ethically made. There are a lot of factors to take into account when researching which new sheets to buy, including thread count, weave, price, and more....

In the increasingly crowded market for Turkish towels, Bosphorus Diamond Weave Turkish Towels are the thickest of the bunch, making them perfect for those who prefer a little heft to their towels. Though newly trendy in the U.S., Turkish towels, also called peshtemals or pestemals, foutas, and hammams, are artisan products that date back hundreds of years. Despite being thin, they’re known for their softness, absorption, and ability to dry quickly....

Do You Need to Prune Conifers You don’t need to prune any plant, and evergreens are no exception. Most conifers have a distinct shape that keeps them rather attractive with no pruning at all. Why You Might Want to Prune Conifers There are a few instances where trimming coniferous trees and shrubs might be worthwhile. As with any plant, pruning out diseased, broken, or dead branches is recommended. Disease in any branch can quickly spread throughout the tree or shrub and dead branches are open invitations for disease and pests to move in....

Unlike other areas of gardening, this type of gardening is not always based on hard scientific facts but on observations, the type of garden lore found in farmer’s almanacs. There is always an element of trial and error to see what works for you. However, understanding your garden as a system of biodiversity where plants are all connected and interdependent on each other helps you make better plant choices. Read on for a chart with recommended companion planting choices and other tips for popular garden crops....

If you’re packing a suitcase—especially if it’s for business or events like a wedding—something is bound to end up wrinkled. Fortunately, the Conair Travel Smart Garment Steamer and other steamer options are on the market to help keep your clothes looking crisp and wrinkle-free without taking up valuable space. This steamer is light, has dual voltage for international travel, and packs plenty of steam intensity, so we were confident when we took it on a trip to test it out....

Gardens are meant to be viewed and admired, but most home gardeners spend the bulk of their time performing gardening chores and maintenance and don’t stop to enjoy what they’ve created. Seating is an important aspect of any garden. Gardens are representative of the gardener’s vision and are as ever-changing as the weather, so there are no hard rules about using seating in a garden. Seating can be purely functional or as fanciful as the gardener’s imagination....

Creative Ways to Use Retired Washing Machines An old, top-loading washer is a treasure trove of parts. So before you have it hauled away, disassemble the machine and look at each component with a creative eye. An added plus is if you have a child who is curious and mechanical, a great deal can be learned about how a washer works by taking one apart. Within the old top-loader, you’ll find a stainless steel drum, assorted switches and solenoid valves, a motor, a water pump, lots of wires, nuts, bolts, screws, brackets, and at least three nice pieces of sheet metal....

— Amy Kartheiser

Like conventional quartz countertops, Dekton does not need to be sealed for stain-resistance. This puts it well ahead of other materials, including concrete, stone, wood, and quartzite, in terms of low-maintenance. Dekton is available in over 50 colors across 7 different collections. It also comes in a variety of thicknesses for various applications. The standard thickness for kitchen countertops is 2 cm. This means that if you were using the slab for a large island or a countertop and backsplash, you can line up the grain to hide seams and create continuous vein patterns....

In terms of designing a room, it’s easy to overlook creating a detailed lighting plan. But as Asher Kohring, senior buyer for Shades of Light, tells us: this is a key mistake. We recently connected to discuss what item she recommends for creating a foolproof lighting design, and how this common item is a must-have when it comes to installing light fixtures. What item made your work life easier this week/month/lately?...

Not sure where to begin? From super minimalist to maximalist, and everything in-between, we’ve rounded up some cheerful, creative ways to decorate your at-home workspace. (You’re not totally on your own when it comes to swapping your sad desk salad for a more creative lunch, either.)

Should You Seal the Tile or the Grout? It’s important to realize that there are two parts of a tile floor: the tile and the grout. Most of the floor is made up of the actual tiles but the grout is just as important. It’s the often overlooked material that holds the tiles in place. Grout needs to be sealed. It’s naturally porous and will stain easily. Most installers of tile floors do not seal them because grout has to cure first....

While the term container garden may spark thoughts of large planter boxes filled with a variety of plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, it actually includes any of this lively greenery living in pots or containers rather than being planted in the ground. Even a small tomato plant growing in a pot on your patio is considered a container garden—and regardless of their size, your container gardens need to remove excess water to keep the plants from drowning....

A curved mirror makes that telltale dorm dresser a lot more chic, too.

The scientific name for this tree is Cercis canadensis. It shares a spot in the Fabaceae (pea) family with other species like the Kentucky coffee tree, wattles (Acacia spp.), powder puff tree (Albizia julibrissin), and wisteria (Wisteria sinensis). Eastern redbud is the common name for the genus. It can be referred to as simply “redbud,” but there are other species that use this name. Some also call it Judas tree, though this name is more aptly applied to Cercis siliquastrum....

Here are key areas of your home that you should focus on when winterizing. Winterize the Heating System The heating system is perhaps the most critical element for a home in the winter. The following tasks will help you prepare it. Test run: No later than October, give your heating system a test run. Turn the thermostat to heat mode, and set it to 80°F. You should hear the furnace turn on, and warm air should begin to blow within a few minutes....

According to Etsy’s data report, duality is going to be a key theme for 2023. Several home trends play on this notion of duality and juxtaposition, showing that opposite trends can exist simultaneously, like statement marbles and “melting” objects, which are both trending for the upcoming year. We are recapping Etsy’s home trend predictions below, with input from Etsy trend expert, Dayna Isom Johnson. Read on for a first look at what home decor trends are going to rule 2023....