Benefits to Cabling a Tree A large tree such as a mature white oak (Quercus alba) or sugar maple (Acer saccharum) situated adjacent to your house has the potential to present a threat to your home. If a heavy branch from the tree looms over your house and there’s reason to doubt its stability, cabling is an alternative to having it removed altogether. Similarly, a heavy, unstable branch overhanging a sidewalk poses a threat to anyone walking under it....

Removing Hard Water Deposits From Faucets Kitchen and bathroom faucets can quickly accumulate hard water deposits anywhere that water tends to collect. This can make even a relatively new faucet look old and dingy because everyday cleaning doesn’t remove the buildup. Use vinegar to help loosen the hard water film and buildup before scrubbing. Note: Prevent scratching the faucet’s finish by using only a non-scratch sponge or pad along with plenty of water....

Clear Your Driveway One of the most basic tasks is cleaning and repairing the driveway. This includes raking any dry leaves and fixing cracks. Applying a coat of sealant to concrete is a nice way to keep dirt and oil from soaking into the surface. Remove unwanted toys, vehicles, and lawn equipment. Make sure you shovel the walkways and driveway. Many sellers want to picture themselves walking into “their” home; don’t give them an excuse to turn around and go view another!...

Ensure Your Space Isn’t Cramped Sure, the idea of a large mattress may seem nice and luxurious, but not if it will make your entire sleep space appear teeny tiny as a result. “I would trade a king for a full any day if it gave me more floor space,” notes Avery Cox of Avery Cox Design. You’ll thank yourself later when you have room for nightstands on either side!...

Rozit Arditi is a designer and the founder of Arditi Design. Mia Jung is the director of interiors at Ike Kligerman Barkley. Mark Lavender is the principal designer at M. Lavender Interiors. Kate Lester is a designer and the founder of Kate Lester Interiors. Tracy Morris is a designer and the founder of Tracy Morris Design. However, there is no one-size-fits-all use for a living area. “Personally, I knew our living room was meant for conversation and reading,” designer Tracy Morris says of her own space....

When it comes to decorating your kitchen counters specifically, there’s a delicate balance at play. You’ll want to ensure that your countertops are functional and aesthetically pleasing, but you certainly don’t want to incorporate anything that could make this valuable space appear too cluttered. So what are the basic principles to keep in mind when tackling your countertops? We spoke with interior designers who chime in below with the ins and outs of styling these surfaces....

Remove Clutter First things first, you’ll want to say goodbye to any clutter that is sitting out. “Immediately remove anything that does not have its perfect place,” instructs Danielle Moore of A Little Moore Clean. “Shoes, toys, clothes, and misc items will go into a bag.” Taking this type of action will have a major impact, Moore states. “Clutter is a telling sign of your internal state. Removing that clutter will immediately make your space feel open, cleaner, it appease the eye, looks put together and gives the impression your home is in order....

Fortunately, electrical outlets are simple, inexpensive devices. Regular (non-GFCI) outlets have no moving parts that can wear out. If they do fail, they can be easily replaced. GFCI outlets tend to have a higher failure rate. Again, GFCI outlets can be replaced on a one-for-one basis relatively easily. Most problems are simple to fix because they are localized either in the outlet or in the service panel (circuit breakers). If you imagine that the issue involves pulling down drywall to access electrical cables or crawling around attics, this often is not the case....

Reproduced by spores, this fern’s growing season starts in the spring, usually after the threat of frost has passed. They grow very quickly. The edible fiddlehead fern season is also short, only lasting a few weeks each year. Mature ostrich ferns produce an average of seven fronds. Pick new fronds in spring just as they are beginning to uncurl, often in May. When picking fiddleheads, make sure to choose no more than three (no more than half) per plant to allow enough foliage surface area for the plant to photosynthesize and thrive throughout the growing season....

Start growing these plants indoors in late winter and transplant them outdoors after the last frost date. Some varieties of joyweed make a great ground cover, while others can grow as tall as three feet. They can be kept inside, adding to the appeal of this tropical plant that acts as an annual in northern climates. Light These plants come from hot, sunny climates, so they thrive in a lot of light....

Stella d’Oro produces golden-yellow flowers with arching strap-like foliage that you often see planted en masse around office buildings and retail businesses, which is one reason it has now developed a reputation for being somewhat tired and overused. But when used selectively, Stella d’Oro still has a role in almost any garden design. Stella d’Oro is usually planted in the spring when all danger of frost has past, or in the fall a month or so before first frost....

Unless you have a huge yard that can accommodate a red oak, this tree should be left to landscapes that can accommodate the immense area needed to grow this tree. You may also want to consider future construction and site improvements when selecting a red oak. The species is going to outlive you and possibly your descendants. The question to ask yourself is, is this species the right tree? And will it be planted in the right place?...

Get to Know the Chocolate Daisy Also known as the chocolate flower, the green-eyed lyre leaf, or lyreleaf greeneyes, the chocolate daisy belongs to the genus Berlandiera lyrata and the family Asteraceae. Plants are reliably hardy in USDA growing zones 4-10, where they will average one to two feet in height. The foliage of the chocolate daisy is elongated and slightly lobed, with the grayish tint characteristic of many drought-tolerant plants....

Firebush also has a history of medicinal usage. Its leaves and stems have been known to treat skin rashes, fungal infections, and insect bites. In Mexico, fruits from the bush (small black berries) are used to make a fermented beverage. The firebush is soft-stemmed and has multiple trunks with smooth gray bark. Its leaves are typically light to dark green and covered with fine hairs. They’re arranged in whorls of three to five leaves, each of which can grow up to six inches long....