But if we limit the scope of the discussion to urban and suburban areas, we find consensus on ten steps homeowners can take to improve this most visible section of their properties. Many strive for a balanced approach. You may wish to create a welcoming feeling here overall while erecting a small privacy screen to shelter a select pocket of the expanse from prying eyes. Don’t worry: Properly thought out, a privacy screen will enhance, rather than detract from curb appeal....

Find Your Go-To Places First things first: You’ll want to visit the various thrift stores in your area to determine which have inventory that best complements your decorating aesthetic. While chain thrift stores will of course offer a whole mix of items, some locally operated shops are more specialized—and depending on what they tend to carry, they may just not be worth your time. As Washington, DC-based designer Shannon Claire Smith noted, “If you’re super sleek and modern, you’re likely not going to find much in that barn thrift store with rustic baskets hanging out front....

Another great variety, especially if you are looking for ornamental value, is ‘Red Russian,’ which has a mild taste and pink-ribbed, bluish-gray foliage. Plant bean seeds after the soil has warmed. Pole beans should be planted about six inches apart; bush beans can be planted three to four inches apart. You will need to provide a trellis if you plan to grow pole beans, which will reach six feet tall or more....

Owl Identification Equipment The right equipment is essential for owl identification. While the tools necessary to see owls are part of every birder’s field gear, there are certain types of equipment that are more helpful when specifically trying to identify owls. Optics: Birding binoculars with a large aperture to permit the most light into the lens are the best choice for identifying owls. This will allow a bird’s details to be seen more clearly even in the dusky or twilight conditions when owls are most likely to be spotted....

What Is an Evergreen Tree? Evergreen trees are aptly named, as they stay green year-round and always have leaves. It is a misconception that these trees never lose their leaves, however. In fact, evergreens are constantly shedding and renewing leaves in a continual cycle, unlike deciduous trees that shed all their leaves at once and have bare, empty branches through a dry or cold season. In northern areas, evergreen trees and shrubs often have smaller, needle-like leaves that better conserve water and keep the plant protected from weather extremes such as bitterly cold winters....

Bean bag chairs are known for their comfort. Sitting in a comfy bean bag is a great way to relax after a hard day at school or work. They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles to accommodate any age. We tested out the Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair and examined its overall look, size, durability, ease of cleaning, comfort level, recommended age range, and price. Here’s what we found....

First, you should ensure your home has comfortable seating. It makes a huge difference if everyone is cozy and relaxed. And it doesn’t have to be just sofas and armchairs. You can create mini-spaces like a side table with some chairs. Also, try to provide enough seating for everyone in the home with some extra for guests. Then, take the time to arrange the furniture so that when you sit you’re facing others....

Landscape Designer: Billy Goodnick Where: Carpenteria, California, a small beachside community near Santa Barbara, California. Who: Jill and Jennifer Allen and their two dogs. First on the agenda was repairing and remodeling the plain, cottage-style house: basically working from the inside out. After years of tackling indoor renovations, the time finally arrived to address what was going on outdoors. “We had a messy pittosporum tree in the front and a 70-foot-tall Italian stone pine in the back that split and fell over during a storm some 10 years ago,” says JIll....

Forming in clumps, this herbaceous perennial produces a profusion of light purple-pink or white flowers at the top of its tall, erect stems during the late spring and summer. The glossy, deep green foliage offers interest through much of the year, and they provide a pleasing aroma, too. Even the seed pods that form after the blooming period is over offers ornamental interest. It’s these seed pods that are the inspiration behind the plant’s common names—it’s also sometimes referred to as Burning Bush....

In reality, a tight bathroom layout calls for rigorous planning. For example, a bathtub placed too close to a toilet or sink cabinet without adequate buffering can spell disaster for the small space. Creating bathroom floor plans can help you anticipate these problems and adjust your design prior to any remodeling work taking place. Here are 15 free bathroom floor plans to help inspire your next project. Dimensions Length: 96 inchesWidth: 72 inchesArea: 48 square feet...

If you’re looking for ways to lessen the burden of yard work, a leaf blower like the Greenworks Pro 80V can be a great tool to have at your disposal. Rather than raking and sweeping, using a power tool can shorten your working hours so you can spend more time enjoying your yard. Whether that means throwing a memorable party or taking it easy with a relaxing afternoon at home, well that’s entirely up to you....

Streptocarpus flowers can be found in red (a relatively recent addition), blue, purple, yellow, white and orange. They are typically borne on upright stems, hovering over the plant’s flat, textured leaves, and can be either a single flower per stalk or multiple flowers per stalk. Although these are relatively new plants and we’re still learning how to perfect their cultivation, societies have already sprung up to trade knowledge and plant material, much like the more organized societies that support African violets....

Cast iron pipes are heavier than any other pipes and normally used for water distribution systems or underground installation as the main pipe on drainage or sewer systems. The smallest size that normally is manufactured is 4-inch pipe, large enough to be used on residential applications, though no-hub piping is available in sizes ranging from 1 1/2 inches to 15 inches and bell and spigot piping is made in sizes between 2 and 15 inches....

Our number one pick is the Coop Home Goods Original Body Pillow, which is filled with CertiPUR-US certified shredded memory foam that you can adjust to your preferred plushness. Ahead, the best body pillows currently on the market. Thanks to the stretchy inner liner and interlocking dual-case system, it’s easy to add and remove fill fibers as needed. Though the fill requires special care—wash it in a separate delicates bag for best results—the outer shell is conveniently machine-washable....