If there’s one thing we’ve learned about people who work in creative fields, it’s that everyone’s creative process is different—and people’s opinions vary wildly. When Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens and Baths told us that her entire design team of eight swears by this one specific notebook, we had to know more! What item made your work life easier this week/month/lately? Tanya Smith-Shiflett: My dotted grid notebook from Appointed, especially with the Mark’style Gel Pen....

We’ve reviewed the most common types of bathroom vanities and sinks available, including the following: Wall-mounted sink Pedestal sink Vessel sink and vanity Framed sink Drop-in sink Under-mount sink Cabinet-style vanity These sinks mount, as the name suggests, directly to the wall with no floor support. They attach to special hanger brackets fastened to the wall and to framing members or a wall reinforcement behind the sink. Plumbing waste and supply lines may either be exposed or concealed in a “shroud” or cover fastened to the underside of the sink....

Acrylic or fiberglass tubs and showers can severely crack or may develop large holes. Cast iron or enameled steel tubs can rust, chip, or crack. When your tub or shower does go bad, a full replacement is sometimes the best solution. But it is also the most expensive solution and one that might not fit your budget at the moment. If you’re not ready to replace a tub or shower, surface refinishing or reglazing is one option, but the results are often less than ideal, and the fix is a temporary one, at best....

Most surrounds are made of acrylic and fiberglass materials, which make them light and easy to install. One-piece tub surround units are available for new construction or major remodeling, but if you are removing an old tub surround with bathtub still in place, installing a new three-piece or five-piece surround is often the way to go. Buying Tips Tub surrounds are not one-size-fits-all. There are different sizes, colors, thicknesses, and installation requirements....

Benefits of Backyard Birds Wild birds are part of the local ecosystem, and attracting them to your yard means planning bird-friendly landscaping, adding fresh, clean water to the yard, and choosing the best bird feeders and birdhouses. If you do these things, you will discover benefits such as: Pest Control: Many birds eat a variety of insects, including aphids, mosquitoes, spiders, grubs, slugs, and other bugs that may not be welcome in a yard or garden....

It offers multi-seasonal interest. It has one feature that’s so breathtaking that it can get away with being a one-trick pony. It blooms at a time of year when many other shrubs have finished blooming, meaning it’s helpful for sequence-of-bloom planning and achieving more consistent color in the yard. To narrow down your plant-selection choices further, take into account factors such as favorite flower colors or leaf colors, maintenance needs, and a bush’s ability to attract wildlife to your property....

But deciding which species to purchase and hauling the green goods home can be time-consuming and messy. That’s where the growing faction of plant subscriptions comes in, with monthly and quarterly options designed to take the guesswork out of when to plant that floral arrangement by your front door or whether a snake plant is too advanced for your beginner gardening skills. There are some subscription box plans devoted to building confidence as a new plant owner, while others focus on low-light areas or non-toxic plants that are safe for homes with pets....

The Bostitch brand has been around for more than 100 years, and it has spent those years manufacturing fasteners such as nail guns, staplers, and glue guns. I tested one of the company’s core offerings, its 3-Tool Compressor Combo Kit, while rebuilding the deck on my Colorado home. Find out how this compressor helped me employ some new tools and if it helped me get the project done any faster or better....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Campylorhynchus brunneicapillusCommon Name: Cactus wrenLifespan: 7-10 yearsSize: 8-9 inchesWeight: 1.3-1.5 ouncesWingspan: 10-11 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Cactus Wren Identification Cactus wrens have a large head, long tail, and overall bulky build. These birds have a long, dark bill that can look somewhat paler on the underside. Like many wrens, the bill is slightly curved downward. Males and females are similar, with a dark brown crown that contrasts sharply with the long, thick, white eyebrow....

While there are no inherent benefits of growing pothos plants in water versus soil, many people enjoy growing pothos in water because they like to watch the roots grow and develop. You can also use pothos as semi-aquatic plants for fish tanks or other indoor water features. Growing pothos in water is not only fun but can be an interesting way to diversify your houseplant collection, and is great for those who have a hard time remembering to water their plants on a regular basis (no “watering” is required here!...

The quick answer is it depends on the type of vacuum. Learn which types of vacuums can safely be used to vacuum glass and other recommended methods to get rid of every tiny piece of glass. Many vacuums have powerheads with beater brushes to help loosen dirt embedded in carpet fibers. The beaters or rollers can cause the glass shards to scatter even further or the glass can become embedded in the roller....

Even if you’re not a fan of capers, these plants can make a wonderful addition to your garden. Best planted in the spring, caper bushes produce fragrant and ornamental white flowers with beautiful violet stamens. The flowers only last for a day, but if you let the bush spread freely, you’re likely to see flowers all through the summer. These plants grow slowly, reaching maturity in about two years and hitting optimal bud production the following year....

A good rule of thumb is to look for products made from natural, renewable materials as well as products with recycled content. Here is a brief list of sustainable building products for your home remodel, organized by category. Flooring Bamboo: Bamboo is not a wood, but a fast-growing grass that is harvested under cultivated conditions as a cash crop. Bamboo grows to harvestable maturity on only about five years, making it a very eco-friendly building material....

Coleus plants are native to Asia and Australia and boast a variety of pigmented leaves, in shades of green, pink, white, cream, yellow, maroon, and purple. The plant is often started from seed around a month and a half before the last frost. It will grow rather quickly, often reaching mature, robust size in six to nine months. Their unique appearance and ease of care make them a popular houseplant choice for both novice and experienced gardeners....