In general landscaping and gardening activities, the term broadleaf is often used to refer to shrubs and trees that have “typical” leaves, rather than those with leaves shaped like needles, etc. Note that “broadleaf” and “evergreen” aren’t necessarily opposites: There are many evergreen plants such as azaleas (Rhododendron), as well as mountain laurels (Kalmia latifolia), that are broadleaf shrubs, despite sharing the evergreen classification with needle-bearing shrubs such as yew (Taxus)....

But in general, there are some basics that you’ll likely find across the board if you hire a feng shui consultant to work on your home. How a Feng Shui Consultation Can Help There are some ideal times to have a feng shui consultation, such as when you’re starting something new and need a kickstart or support. Or perhaps you’re on a spiritual path and want to go deeper to integrate it into the environment around you....

How a Light Switch Works A wall switch is designed with a mechanism that controls the flow of “hot” electrical current through a circuit, allowing you to turn a light fixture or other device on and off by closing (ON) or opening (OFF) the continuous electrical pathway. Unlike other electrical devices, a wall switch is installed so it connects only to hot wires, not the neutral circuit wires. The exception to this is when a light switch integrates some kind of other features, such as a lighted toggle lever or a timer feature....

If you want to fully integrate living, entertaining, and working under one roof, building or restoring a barndominium just might be what you need. Because of the size and unique style of most barndominiums, they are especially well-suited to acreage or larger pieces of land, especially in unincorporated areas, or for farms, hobby wineries, or even just weekend ranches. How Much a Barndominium Costs Expect to pay from $100 to $130 per square foot to build a complete barndominium that’s fully outfitted and ready to move into....

According to the electrical code, each of these motorized gadgets needs a dedicated circuit just for their own use. Permanent heating appliances also have a fairly heavy electrical load, and most require their own dedicated circuits. Allowing these appliances to share a circuit with other devices can easily overload the circuit, since by nature they have a fairly heavy power draw, especially when they first startup. Older homes that have not had their wiring updated often have such appliances installed on circuits shared with other devices, and in these situations, it is quite common for circuit breakers to trip or fuses to blow....

How to Wash Damask Table Linens As with any fabric, the care depends upon the fiber content. Some damask fabric can be successfully washed while others (silk fibers) may need to be dry cleaned. If you are not certain of the fiber content or the item does not have a care label, consult a laundry professional at your local dry cleaning shop before attempting to wash damask at home. Most damask table linens are made of linen or cotton fibers and can be washed at home....

Choosing family room colors is simpler than most rooms in your home because it should be a color that you love. Though the family room is a common area in the home that is often used for guests, the main purpose of it is for family time. How to Choose a Color When the Kitchen is Adjacent Though it’s simple to choose a color you love for the family room, if it’s adjacent to the kitchen, you will have considerations in choosing the right color to flow between the rooms....

What a Monochromatic Scheme is Not In the world of interior decorating, monochromatic does not mean one color in one value used throughout a room. While the word monochromatic literally means one color, in decorating, it actually means that the color will be refined in a few ways to create a livable space. Neutral color schemes can also be monochromatic, with variations of a neutral color. Basic Color Terms You Should Know Color (or Hue): Color is the quality of an object or substance with respect to light reflected by the object....

The antidote is to plan to make sure there is enough of everything, starting with alcohol. But how do you know how much is enough? How do you estimate how much alcohol you need for your party? And is there a way to purchase enough without breaking the bank? What Determines How Much Alcohol You Need? There are several factors to consider when you estimate the amount of alcohol you’ll need for a party....

Signs of a Vacuum Leak When you notice that the dust cup or bag on the vacuum isn’t as full as it usually is after cleaning or that dirt seems to scatter instead of being suctioned away, your vacuum either has a leak or a clog. Leaks must be repaired or the leaky component replaced for the vacuum to operate properly. Clogs can usually be located, broken apart, and easily removed....

As tiny as they are, bed bugs are one of the most troublesome and difficult to control of all pests. According to a 2018 survey by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), 20 percent of Americans have encountered bed bugs in their home or hotel, or know someone who has, and 76 percent of pest control professionals consider bed bugs to be the most difficult pest to control. 6 Ways to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Bed bugs have developed a high resistance to the pyrethroid-based foggers and bug bombs that are often quite effective against other pests....