Art consultant Liz Lidgett is used to putting holes in walls. With a passion for guiding others on which art to purchase and where to put it, Lidgett knows no room is complete without a few pieces. Often, this requires some hardware, but if you’re a renter (or even just fickle about where your gallery hangs), patching up old holes can be a slight nightmare. Fortunately, Lidgett has you covered....
Traditionally, the second-anniversary gift is cotton. This versatile material represents both comfort and strength. Like threads of cotton woven together, so too will your marriage become more interconnected in time. Modern gift lists mark the second anniversary with china or porcelain, which is both delicate and resilient. China reminds young couples to acknowledge the strength and frailty of their relationship. For the second year of your marriage, we suggest gifts that are thoughtful, romantic and practical....
Growing vegetables from seeds may not be practical for long-season plants in regions with short growing seasons. That’s why, when it comes to long-season plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, most gardeners purchase seedlings or established potted plants from the nursery—or start their seeds indoors weeks before planting time. How to Choose Between Seeds and Transplants The choice between direct seeding and transplanting seedlings comes down to a few basic questions: Answers to these three questions will determine how you plant your vegetable garden....
Cleaning dirt and grime outside requires more than a broom and some elbow grease. You need the strength of a tool like the Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer behind your cleaning. Not all pressure washers are built alike—some are powered by gas, while others use electricity. We tested this electrical power washer to see how it handled our outdoor cleaning tasks. Setup: Some assembly required The Sun Joe arrives partially assembled, so set aside some time to put it together....
Despite the popularity of goose down comforters, feathers have their downsides (pun intended). Compared to synthetic fill, down is expensive, requires dry cleaning, and you can forget about it if you have allergies. There are a range of down alternative comforters on the market, but finding one with all the virtues of the real deal isn’t easy. We tested Superior’s Down Alternative All-Season Comforter to see if a synthetic polyester fill could really deliver the same cozy, comfortable night of sleep as down, at a much lower price point....
Housing You will need a beehive, either a Langstroth hive made up of boxes and frames, or a top-bar beehive. For a Langstroth hive, the most common type used by beginning beekeepers, you may purchase a hive kit or individual components which include boxes, frames, and foundation. There are several options from which to choose. Deep boxes, for housing the bees, and supers, for collecting excess honey, are usually constructed with wood and may come assembled or in parts that the beekeeper puts together....
As soon as you hear about the death, start thinking about what to say, but don’t let much time pass before you express your sympathy. Call or send a message as soon as possible, but be brief. Be intentional, show sympathy, and offer a listening ear. Sometimes it’s best to say a few words and then stop talking to listen to the survivor. Remember that this is a very emotional time for the family members....
To be extra safe, Keith Cushner, sleep product expert at SleepFoundation.org, advises shoppers to look for futons made from memory foam. “Memory foam is a strong choice for futons to add the extra support that the smaller frames may not be able to provide,” he says. With this in mind, we researched standout models in various materials and thicknesses. Our number one pick is the Chestnut Futon Mattress from Wolf by Serta, which boasts eight inches of supportive plushness and a breathable design....
“In its natural color, jute is a beautiful neutral choice,” says designer Annie Kersey of Purple Cherry Architects. “The material is very easy to layer, so jute rugs are often used as a base to a layered rug concept.” We interviewed three designers for buying tips, then researched standout options for every space, decor taste, and budget. Our favorite is Lulu & Georgia’s Harriet Rug, a handwoven, artisanal-quality piece with a laid-back yet sophisticated aesthetic....
Because of the size, it’s important to keep in mind how your new sectional sofa will work in the available space—and how this may affect the furniture you choose to put around it. “Sectionals will be the largest pieces of furniture in a room,” says Devin Shaffer, Lead Designer at Decorilla. “[I]t’s important to anchor the seating area, perhaps with a rug, to provide fluidity for guests and various walkways to other parts of the home....
We researched the best stuffed animals on the market, considering the size, quality, and recommended age of each. The ultimate top choice will vary depending on your recipient, but we love the TOMY Pokemon XY Pikachu Plush because of the franchise’s longtime popularity, plus the super soft quality and easy portability for taking on the go. Here are the stuffed animals that will quickly become new favorites. Whether your child is just getting into the franchise or a happens to be a teen looking for a Pokemon piece for their bedroom, this plush works for various ages and will grow with your child....
Below, find our recommended hangers for every closet and clothing type. The slim profile means you can fit more hangers (and more clothes) into your closet without making it look cramped. The black color is chic, although some reviewers reported a little black fuzz sticking to their clothes. If black isn’t your color, there are 11 other colors to choose from. And these hangers are sturdy: According to the manufacturer, each one will hold up to 10 pounds, so you can use them for both dainty slip dresses and winter coats....
But what’s the difference between a smooth-top range (also referred to as a smooth-top stove) and a smooth-top cooktop? Teri Simone, a specialist in kitchen design and the Head of Design and Marketing for Nieu Cabinet Doors, provides some clarification: “A range means a cooktop and oven built-in to the same unit, that slides into an opening in your cabinetry. A cooktop is simply that: Your stove-top surface lives separately from an oven....
We researched the best dinnerware sets for every holiday, considering the material, ease of cleaning, and replaceability of each one. Our top pick, the Lenox Holiday 12-Piece Plate & Mug Set features a timeless and classic design. It is made of porcelain and dishwasher safe. Below, our picks for the best holiday dinnerware sets. The set feels high-quality, while still at a reasonable price compared to competitors’ picks. We love that replacing misplaced pieces is a breeze with Lenox because the plates and mugs are also available to buy individually....
We evaluated paint roller covers based on their durability, smoothness of application, and versatility. Our top choice, the Purdy White Dove Woven Paint Roller Cover, lays down a smooth, perfect coat of paint. Here are the top roller covers in a range of categories most likely to interest the DIY painter. There’s a reason even professional painters love this woven Dralon polyester paint roller cover: It lays down a smooth coat of paint over just about any reasonably smooth surface without leaving behind lint, streaks, thin spots, or blotches, and it won’t splatter or splash paint while you work....
We conducted hours of research to round up the best placemats, evaluating each model on design, material, durability, and wash type. Our best overall pick is the West Elm Cotton Canvas Placemats (Set of 2), which features a quality weave construction, simple yet eye-catching design, and is machine washable for easy cleanup. Here are the best placemats to suit every tablescape. This set of two placemats is available in four elegant colors, so they’re almost guaranteed to work with your kitchen or dining room color scheme....
In addition, while shopping for a vacuum during this October Prime Day sale, keep in mind that there are different styles of vacs to choose from—such as robot vacuums, cordless stick, upright, and canister—that all offer unique functions and are designed to perform best on specific types of flooring. Always consider your household’s lifestyle and what type of flooring you have. If you have children, pets, or heavy foot traffic, for example, you may want a product that comes with specialty attachments or that’s lightweight for easy, everyday cleaning....
Our favorite is “Gray Malin: The Essential Collection by Gray Malin,” which features whimsical photography of people, animals, and the most vibrant destinations around the world. Read on for our other top picks. If you’ve yet to discover Gray Malin, let us be the first to introduce you. Malin is an incredible photographer with a knack for whimsical imagery using animals and people in scenic locations around the world. Covering a decade of Malin’s work, this book features his most iconic photoshoots as well as stories about each locale and subject....
We researched the best traditional, modern, and personalized gifts, considering quality, customization options, and sentimentality. One of our favorite picks is the Artifact Uprising Walnut Desktop Photo Calendar because it can be customized with family photos for a daily reminder of your love and appreciation. Read on for the best gifts for the ninth anniversary. Then, select from several design customizations to make your calendar unique—you can choose among six font styles, opt for foil printing, and choose the starting month....
Here are the best gifts for teen boys. What to Look For in Gifts For Teen Boys Recommended Age Many teen boys like to exercise their minds, bodies, or both. The best gifts for this age group allow them to channel their energy and creativity into something fun and positive. A group outdoor game or indoor puzzle can both be great ways to connect while doing something together. Safety Teens and tech go together, which is why so many of the items on our list are the latest and greatest tech accessories that your teen boy is sure to love....
