The plants that truly belong to the Geranium genus are much different specimens: perennial flowering plants that also go by the common names “true geraniums,” “hardy geraniums,” “cranesbill,” or “storksbill.” The latter two monikers are derived from the seed pods’ resemblance to the bills of those birds. Hardy geraniums are low-growing plants that spread via rhizomes. The foliage is often toothed and remains attractive year-round. The flowers float on top of the plant in shades of white, pink, magenta, purple, and blue....

Water shutoff valves can range from the main valve found near the water meter where water first enters your home to small, individual fixture shutoff valves that mark the transition from the branch water supply lines to the supply tubes that deliver water to faucets, toilets, and other appliances. Some of these valves are quite large while others are small. Valves generally operate in one of two ways: Either a solid internal part rotates to open or block the flow of water, or some kind of stem with a washer or seal squeezes down to seal the flow of water....

To further make gardens an extensions of the indoors, “Keep your living room style going from your interior to exterior,” notes Garrett Magee of the Manscapers, an exterior design and landscaping firm based in New York. “Instead of a coffee table why not do a coffee table with a lid that removes to reveal a fire table? Being outside with the comforts of inside is more important than ever right now....

Vintage and Vintage-Inspired Rugs As we enter a new year, we can expect to take a look back in time—at least when it comes to rugs—says Olivia Wahler from Hearth Home Interiors. “Nobody (including us!) has had enough of the vintage rug trend—we’re not sure if we ever will,” she says. “Using vintage or vintage-inspired rugs creates an instant sense of ‘home’ and nostalgia, and anchors a room in a way that is tough to match....

Monochromatic Kitchens Gil Walsh of Gil Walsh Interiors says that the all-white kitchen is on its way out. “With people spending more time in their homes, they are craving color, pattern, and texture,” she says. “Black appliances and hardware, either shiny or matte, will be making appearances in kitchens in 2023. Pair the black with a muted green, like Farrow & Ball’s ‘Breakfast Room Green’ for the cabinets, and display colorful dishware on open shelving....

If you’ve ever had boxelder bugs invade your home, you’ve probably sought information on their identification and control. Here are some of the typical questions pertaining to this common insect and how to control it. How Do I Identify a Boxelder Bug? At about a 1/2-inch long, boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) have narrow black bodies with red edge lines on their trunk and red lines on the edges of their wings....

1. New vs. used The first thing you need is the wood. Used pallets are often available for sale or sometimes free from a number of neighborhood sites, but maybe not when you are ready to start the project. What you might not know is that you can head over to your local home improvement store and pick up new pallet boards any time. If you are doing a big project and live near a sawmill, you might be able to buy in bulk and get a deal to boot....

Both wood and composite materials are available in a range of qualities, so cost or quality is not the only factor. It’s commonly known that composite materials require less maintenance, hence, their cost is usually higher. But they do require some maintenance, and other factors come into play as well. Let’s look at some of the issues involved in choosing the right deck material for your deck. Wood Decks Many people prefer real wood for their decks because of its natural, warm appearance....

A spider fitter is made up of three metal prongs, sometimes called arms, that come together in a circle, or washer, in the middle to attach to a harp on a lamp base. A harp is an upside-down u-shaped metal piece that is connected to the base and sits around and above the lightbulb. A lampshade that features a spider fitter is secured onto a harp using a finial that needs to be twisted until tight to keep the lampshade in place so it sits straight and doesn’t wobble....

Unfortunately, 14 of the vulture and condor species in the world, more than half of the total vulture bird species, are considered threatened or endangered, some of them with significant population losses in recent years. Because of a range of different threats, including poisoning, vehicle collisions, and electrocution, these vulture populations will continue to decline without urgent help. Learning more about these unique birds is the first step toward effective conservation, and the first thing to learn is the different types of vultures and their common and scientific names....

Compared to peel-and-stick and floating luxury vinyl, both of which are touted for their ease of installation, the “separate adhesive” type may sound daunting and difficult. In reality, glue-down vinyl flooring is not that hard to install, and it has some benefits when compared to each of the other two types. Self-Adhesive vs. Glue-Down Tiles Self-adhesive tiles are excellent in some instances, but there is a very good reason why they haven’t taken over the entire tile-laying industry:...

We’ve all stumbled around searching for a flashlight during a power outage only to discover that its batteries are dead. Thankfully, rechargeable flashlights solve that problem—but can they go the distance on a dark night? I tested the Anker Bolder LC40 Flashlight to see if its compact size, long battery life, and multiple settings would light up my life. Does it stand up to the competition or does it dim in comparison?...

These two structures should not be confused with a gazebo, which is always a freestanding open garden structure, typically with a hexagonal or octagonal shape (modern ones may be square or rectangular) and a roof. The difference between a freestanding arbor and a gazebo is basically the size. The point of an arbor is to act as a garden or landscaping accent, but a gazebo is a larger space fit for dining or other leisure activities....

What Concrete Screeding Is With concrete work, screeding is the action of flattening poured concrete into a smooth, flat layer prior to finishing the surface. Screeding is only the first step in finishing concrete, and it is not intended to produce a completely smooth final surface. Screeding fills in large gaps and removes high spots in the concrete material being installed. The final finish will be created by floating the concrete with one or more smooth-faced tools that are designed to draw up fine aggregate and cement to the surface of the slab....

Cheerful Raspberry Blush is perfect to use in small doses or to coat an entire wall—the choice is yours. Use some on your ceiling or paint one of your interior doors to really add a pop to any room. And along those lines, if you’ve started to witness people going a bit bold with their paint choices, you’re certainly not alone. “People are ready to bring color back into the home, taking a step outside their color comfort zones,” according to Andrea Magno, color marketing and development director at Benjamin Moore, which has an expansive collection of more than 3,500 paint colors....

If you offer hulled sunflower hearts or chips to avoid a buildup of discarded shells that will get buried under snowfall and can damage new grass in the spring. In addition to suet cakes, chop suet into chunks or shred it so more birds will sample it. Offer small pieces in dishes or tray feeders to give birds easier access. Peanut butter is a great feeding option as well and can be smeared on bark or offered in small dishes or open trays....

I live in a 2,500-square-foot two-story home with laminate faux wood flooring throughout our entire house (including in the hallways and on the stairs), except for three carpeted rooms. Our floors are easy to maintain. What makes it seem effortless is having a lightweight, user-friendly vacuum on hand. I’m partial to cordless stick vacuums for their convenience; however, I needed something with a bit more suction power that doesn’t need recharging after 20 minutes....

Each flower stem is smooth and has no foliage. Bright green semi-succulent leaves may appear while the plant is blooming, but these leaves can also appear later. Blood lily plants produce red berries in the fall. The blood lily needs a time of rest in order to bloom year after year. Once the flowers are spent, stop watering and allow the plant to die off and sit dormant for the winter....