Which Came First: The Mold or the Scale? Mold and ants might be the effect rather than the cause of magnolia tree problems. The real causes often are magnolia scale bugs. These scale insects secrete a liquid called honeydew that invites sooty mold. And because this honeydew—true to its name—is a very sweet substance, ants like to feed on it. What Is Sooty Mold? The name sooty mold sounds repulsive and it has an appearance to match....

First of all, it doesn’t matter what kind of light bulb you’re dealing with. Incandescent, fluorescent (including CFLs), halogens, and LEDs all work the same way. The only slight difference is that some tubular lamps connect at both ends, but it doesn’t matter what kind of base it has: regular screw base, a GU10 bayonet base, or two bi-pin ends. If the lamp uses electricity to make light, it needs a complete circuit from the panel through the bulb to the neutral and back to the source....

Quick Steps for Laundry Pods These steps are for both front-loading and top-loading washing machines. How Many Laundry Detergent Pods Should I Use? As you know, single-dose laundry detergent pods cost more to use per load than liquid or powder detergent, so it is wise to use the correct number to save money. For a normal size load of laundry (around 12 pounds), one detergent pod is all you need. Laundry detergent pods are pre-measured, which makes it a bit easier and more convenient when doing laundry....

Consider Your Budget Weighing out the costs of a remodel is, undoubtedly, the most daunting task in the project. Therefore, it’s the one you should tackle first. A new kitchen can be a major expense, so first consider your budget when deciding how big you want to go. Enlist the help of a neighborhood realtor for advice on the added value your undertaking will add to your home. Study your favorite kitchen and remodeling magazines and websites for budgeting hints....

There’s no hard-and-fast way to emulate or translate the wabi-sabi philosophy into home decor but we spoke to a handful of experts who have mastered the art of wabi-sabi to get their best insights on how to adopt a more peaceful and authentic sense of being at home. From being more intentional about your home decor to romanticizing your everyday items and routine, here’s how to bring the art of wabi-sabi into your home....

“When choosing furniture or decor pieces that can transition from outdoors to indoors or vice versa, you really have to consider both form and function,” interior designer Louis Duncan-He explained in an email. “Pieces need to be able to withstand the elements and also be relatively adaptable.” Here, Duncan-He and other interior designers share their recommendations for items that do double duty. Pillows are another comforting accent to incorporate outdoors....

Why Furniture Placement Is Important in Feng Shui In feng shui, we look at how energy flows through a home. We make adjustments to ensure that qi, or life force energy, is flowing in a way that nurtures and supports the home’s inhabitants. Furniture placement is one of the factors that can impact the flow of qi. You have probably noticed that the layout of furniture in a room can impact how you feel, whether it is your own space or a space you’re visiting....

You may have never given much thought to needing an air purifier in your life. What you may have noticed, however, is how much dust there seems to be floating around your house. And if you have a pet, you know that even though you can’t see it, pet dander is all around you, too. Considering all of this, an air purifier just might be the home appliance you never knew you needed....

Design: Online vs. reality Based on photos alone, Lush Decor’s Boho Stripe 3-Piece Quilt Set looks to feature a bohemian patchwork print and vibrant tangerine and teal hues that really bring it to life. In-person, though, the quilt isn’t as impressive as its stock photos may lead you to believe. The colors and patchwork floral and geometric patterns feel a bit random, and not random in a good way. The black and white sections, in particular, are jarring given the rest of the quilt is predominantly bright solids and boho-chic prints....

Similarly, feng shui looks to the natural world for teachings and insights. Birds have been considered meaningful symbols in many cultures. Birds can fly, unlike humans, therefore they have been considered a connection to the heavens, the divine, as well as signals of the seasonal changes of the environment. Magpie Symbolism and Meaning in Feng Shui The magpie is a small, intelligent, and chatty bird that is usually black and white in color, sometimes with blue and green as well....

A clump-forming perennial that doesn’t have dense foliage, the Mexican hat plant is typically grown in groups and is ideal for meadow, cottage, and wildflower gardens. They have an upright growth habit and grow up to 3 feet in height. Ratibida columnifera is an excellent choice for planting at the back of borders in sunny gardens. Mexican hat plants are used for xeriscape landscaping because of their impressive drought tolerance....

The mid-century design movement, which kicked off in the 1940s and wrapped up in the early 1960s, celebrates the marriage of form and function with minimal and often modestly designed residential architecture and home decor. It also was the period that ushered in the era of home enjoyment, which endures to this day. For the first time, average homeowners started personalizing their living spaces both inside and outside, to reflect their taste and lifestyle....