A mattress is a purchase that will affect your sleep for seven to eight years (at the very least). While that alone makes purchasing a mattress important, they’re usually a substantial financial investment. I tested the Cocoon Chill Hybrid Mattress by Sealy, a bed-in-a-box option, to see if it lived up to its cooling and comfort promises. And its cooling bliss doesn’t disappoint. If you look at what you need from a mattress, support tops the list....
Here are some of the common problems with outlet receptacles and what to do about them. Worn-Out Slots Although receptacles have no moving parts, they do have metal contact points inside the body of the device, which are designed to firmly grip the hot, neutral, and grounding prongs on cord plugs. Over time, these contacts begin to wear and lose their gripping power. As the exposed contact points lose their ability to grip the plug, it creates greater electrical resistance and heat, which can cause problems in the wiring and may cause circuit breakers to trip....
Golden creeping Jenny is also called moneywort because the leaves are shaped like tiny coins. It is a member of the family Primulaceae and is hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 4–9. It is often confused with creeping Charlie, another invasive yard plant. Although the foliage is similar, creeping Charlie has small purple flowers rather than the yellow found in creeping Jenny. Creeping Jenny is often thought of as a nuisance in the yard because of how well it spreads....
What Has the Most Bang for Your Buck? If space is an issue, make a list of your favorite vegetables, then look through some seed catalogs and see what the average spacing is for these vegetables as well as whether you get one harvest or many. Corn is a space hog. You need several rows of corn to have enough to cross-pollinate each other and produce the actual ears of corn....
We spoke with designers to get the lowdown on the five pieces that truly can be left behind when you’re packing up your space—no feelings of guilt necessary. 1. Extra Art Pieces Your favorite artwork will always be a top priority and have a place to shine. Explains designer Pamela O’Brien of Pamela Hope Designs, “We always move all good art and favorite pieces to the new home and find the right space for them....
In their native habitat, Dixie wood ferns grow on the forest floor in shady, low-light conditions which makes them perfect for shade gardens or those tricky low-light areas of your garden where other plants just won’t grow. The lacy fronds of this delicate fern compliment other go-to shade classics such as the hosta. Add height and interest to your garden with the Dixie wood fern. In the spring, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture in the soil throughout the growing season and prevent weeds....
Because hummingbird nectar is clear, it is easy to assume it is always fresh and nutritious for birds, when in fact it can spoil just as easily as any other birdseed, suet, or other foods. So how can you tell if hummingbird nectar is bad and needs replacing? The Dangers of Bad Nectar Nectar is a simple mixture of sugar and water, but when it spoils, it becomes something different....
When I moved into my boyfriend’s house, my first thought was, “Where’s all the closet space?!” Okay, maybe that wasn’t my first thought, but it was pretty high up on the list. Other than a small closet in the master bedroom, I had no place for my ever-expanding wardrobe. So when I got a chance to try the Dotted Line Grid System, I was pretty stoked. Could it add some extra storage (and organization) where I needed it most, or would I still be wishing for traditional closet space?...
Horizontal vs. Vertical When laying out drywall, you need to decide which direction to layout the rectangular-shaped sheets: Vertical: That is, four feet across and eight feet tall so that it completely reaches from floor to ceiling.Horizontal: That is, eight feet across and four feet tall. Vertical placement is the classic way of laying out the drywall. But horizontal placement has its advantages, too. Some professional drywall installers deem horizontal placement to be a stronger form of installation....
If you want to start an argument with a group of drywall pros, just ask about drywall screw spacing. Everyone has their own opinion and each of these opinions might be, in its own way, correct. To muddy the waters even more, recommendations from drywall manufacturers and local building codes may run counter to the advice from people who handle drywall on a daily basis. However, in general, space screws a maximum of 16 apart on walls, 12 inches apart on ceilings, and at least 3/8 of an inch from the ends and edges of panels....
At one time, most kitchen appliances were plugged into ordinary general outlet circuits, but as kitchen appliances have become larger and larger over the years, it’s now standard—and required by building code—for each of these appliances to have a dedicated appliance circuit that serves nothing else. In addition, kitchens require small appliance circuits and at least one lighting circuit. Be aware that not all local building codes have the same requirements....
The playlists reach across a wide variety of genres, artists, and songs, but we want to hear from you, too! We’ll be making new playlists each month and adding songs to our most popular playlists. Send us an email and let us know what tunes you’d like to hear, and what songs our paint colors remind you of. Follow us on Spotify or simply click on the links below to listen along with us over here at The Spruce....
How It Works Oil-based stains completely soak into the wood’s cellular structure. With the cells filled, water cannot penetrate. It just beads up on the surface. Oil-based stains, as well as oil-based paints, cure slowly as the oil hardens. Application Oil-based stains are more difficult to apply than water-based stains. Though since you are working outside, some of the downsides associated with indoor use are mitigated, namely the odor. Use a natural bristle brush, synthetic filament brush, or pad applicator....
With so many styles, colors, and concepts to work with, it can be hard to know where to start. Looking into our zodiac signs can give us a direction to work with that will meet our aesthetic preferences and represent our personalities well. Take a look at your zodiac sign below to see which trend you should incorporate into your decor scheme for the season.
A less labor-intensive approach is to give your herb garden the bones of a formal layout and then fill it with exuberant herb plants that can be allowed to mature, fill in and spread without constant supervision. Choosing Plants for an Herb Garden When selecting plants for a formal herb garden, consider the growth habits and mature sizes of the plants. Place low creepers, like thyme and chamomile, on opposite path edges to complement each other....
Due to its ease and simplicity, floating floor installation saves money and helps installation go a lot faster, making it a favorite method for DIYers. But a good floating floor installation requires a perfectly prepared subfloor, and in some instances, it can have a hollow feeling underfoot that is less pleasing than the solidity of nailed-down hardwood or bonded ceramic tile. Floating Floor Examples There are three types of flooring that are most commonly installed with floating floor methods:...
But when public safety and building codes are involved, your little bubble threatens to burst. Even when you work within the house envelope, you are beholden to your locality’s codes concerning electricity, plumbing, and building safety. When land or property surveys are involved, that bubble rips wide open. It becomes immediately apparent that you exist within a world of other people. While you always need a land survey for residential new construction, do you ever need to order one for any home remodeling projects?...
Check Your Inventory Check your inventory of bottles and determine what you really want to keep before you start packing. Liquor and wine bottles are heavy, and if you’re paying per pound to move them, consider what is worth moving and what isn’t. If you’re moving a long distance and don’t want to pay to move all your bottles, consider giving some away to friends and family; they make great gifts....
Wire Gauge and Ampacity In order to do any electrical wire installation, the proper wire size for the application is needed. But how do you know what size wire to use? A wire is sized by the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system. Your installation of conductors will depend on a few factors. The gauge of the wire, wire capacity, and what the wire will feed should all be considered. Electrical Wire Gauge, Ampacity, and Wattage Load Here are some great tips for determining the proper wire gauge, ampacity, and the maximum wattage allowed....
