In mid-summer, fragrant and funnel-shaped lavender flowers bloom above the foliage. They make an excellent option for lightening up shaded gardens, as well as for planting in containers. The best time of year to plant it is in early spring or early fall after the summer heat. You can expect a magical color transformation in the summer months, when green pigment first becomes visible on the plant’s white leaves....

For lovers of Mexican cuisine though, there is a bright side to it. The mushroom-like growth on the corn is viewed as a delicacy called cuitlacoche and referred to as Mexican truffle. Symptoms of Corn Smut Any type of corn can be affected by corn smut, including field corn grown for animal fodder, popcorn, sweet corn, and maize for human consumption. Corn smut is an abnormal growth that can appear anywhere on the above-ground parts of the corn plant–leaves, stalk, husks, tassels, ears, and corn kernels–any time during the growing season....

Newer examples will have a Republic of Fritz Hansen label attached to the fabric. From 2006 through 2010, a red tag was used. Those made after 2010 will have a brown tag. Don’t see the label on a chair made prior to 2006? Look on the base. There may be a sticker on the cylinder that attaches the top to the base, with “Made in Denmark by Fritz Hansen” and also includes a four-digit date indicating when the chair was produced....

Feng shui and your house placement is all about understanding the way that qi (life force energy) comes to you. The flow of qi affects your ability to be safe, happy, healthy, and at ease. The better the feng shui of the location, the better your life goes. Unfortunately, there are definitely poor or “bad” feng shui locations for a house to avoid if at all possible. If moving is not an option, the best way to work with the exterior qi of the land is to hire a feng shui consultant....

Though installing a toggle bolt is simple, installing it well—so that it holds firmly for a long time—requires a little practice and some know-how. How to Choose Toggle Bolts When you want to attach a heavy item to the wall, you need a solid surface. If you’re lucky enough to have a wood stud behind the drywall, it’s just a matter of driving a screw or nail long enough to sink into the stud....

Fortunately, there are ways to cool a house without AC. Most methods are easy and inexpensive to implement, while a few long-term solutions require greater time and cost. Either way, with this guide you’ll find out how to keep your house cool and pull the plug on your air conditioner (or help you stay cool if you don’t have one). Change Ceiling Fan Rotation During winter, ceiling fan blades should rotate clockwise to better distribute trapped warm air near the ceiling....

Fortunately, Franklin was quick to comfort. With suggestions for pieces to buy and ways to make use of what we already own, we’re feeling far more prepared for the next unforeseen pop-by. These small tasks can be done in a matter of minutes and will make the space feel pulled together. Light a Candle The first trick to a seemingly guest-ready home? Creating an inviting smell. “First, light a fragrant candle,” Franklin says....

Keep a Running List in the Kitchen Where better to keep a running list of items you need from the store but in the kitchen? That way you’ll be able to jot down whatever you run out of right away before you forget about it. Employ family members to write down what they need or see missing. Keep the list on the counter, fridge, corkboard, or near your family command center....

Read on to see if ventless gas fireplaces are suitable for you—some states have regulations banning their use, and others have certain restrictions. This comprehensive guide will help you make the best decision regarding using ventless gas fireplaces in your home. Before Buying a New Ventless Gas Fireplace Although they have safeguards built into new ventless gas fireplaces, their safety is debated. A patchwork of regulations across the United States controls the legality of ventless fireplaces....

Why Clothes Shrink and Stretch Even if you carefully followed all the “rules” of how to do laundry, shrinking and stretching can still happen. A great deal of how clothes react during cleaning happens long before you even enter a store to purchase them. The type of fibers, weave, and manufacturing techniques will determine how well the clothes perform after wearing and washing. Every type of clothing fiber reacts differently. Natural fibers (wool, cotton, bamboo) have more stretch than most man-made fibers (polyester, acrylic, nylon)....

Cabinet refacing is sometimes done as part of a larger bathroom remodeling or kitchen remodeling project. Other times, a homeowner may decide that the cabinets are the only thing that they want to be rehabbed, yet they don’t want to spend the high cost of installing all-new cabinets. Painting the cabinets is one traditional way to improve the look of existing cabinets. While painting cabinets is less expensive than replacing or refacing cabinets, it can take more time than expected since the surfaces must be perfectly clean for the paint to adhere....