Rose of Sharon has a natural upright vase shape with multiple branches and medium to dark green foliage. However, it is possible to prune this shrub to a single trunk to produce a tree form. Rose of Sharon can be planted in the spring or fall, and it has a moderate growth rate of one to two feet per year. Young plants will need regular watering and feeding to help them get started....

The Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop cleans and sanitizes sealed, hard floors. The Shark is a steam mop with three settings depending on the type of floor and level of dirtiness, allowing you to clean floors without the use of soap or bleach or any other cleaning agents. Should you ditch the mop and bucket for an all-in-one floor cleaner that’s easier to use but has a higher cost? We tried out the flat mop on our own floors to find out....

The Shark Rotator TruePet is specially designed for pet owners that struggle to keep fur and dander under control. It includes a motorized brush and pet multi-tool to target cat and dog fur that’s buried deep in carpets and stuck to upholstered furniture. With a sealed air system and a HEPA filter that traps 99.9 percent of dust and allergens, this is also a great vacuum for allergy sufferers. Since it’s one of the more expensive Shark models on the market, we put the Rotator TruePet through rigorous testing to see if it performs well enough to justify its steep price tag....

There’s almost nothing worse than hosting a sleepover and hearing the words, “We’re bored!” It’s difficult to entertain a group of children, given their different quirks and interests, and it’s even more difficult when the room full of children will be in your care overnight. We’re always looking for ways to liven up sleepovers and avoid that dreaded phrase, which is why we were interested in checking out Sleepover Party Game, a silly, interactive board game that encourages kids to play together by acting out silly challenges instead of zoning out in front of electronics....

There’s nothing quite like slipping in between the sheets at the end of a long day. But if those sheets are thin, scratchy, and full of pills, it kind of ruins the moment. That’s why we set out to find the best sheets sets to turn your bed into the safe haven that you deserve. When we saw the details of the Snowe Percale Sheet Set—Italian milled Egyptian cotton, 500 thread count, and generous sizing—we knew we had to try them on our bed to see if they could have us comfortably snoozing through the night....

Shiplap has exploded into the interior design world in recent years, partially thanks to its prevalence in Magnolia Home spaces (Joanna and Chip Gaines even have a shiplap wallpaper design and a shiplap-inspired paint collection). But there’s something you might not know: there are many different forms of not-quite-shiplap panelings, and some homeowners might not even realize that what they have on their walls isn’t the real deal. We spoke with Amanda Friemel, interior designer at Duet Design Group, about what characteristics define the paneling and how you can ID true shiplap from the knockoffs....

Depending on the cultivar, Spanish lavender can be found with pink, purple, or white flowers. These plants are adorned with small, gray-green leaves and grow in a compact rounded shape. Spanish lavender is more heat tolerant than other lavender species. This perennial is deer-resistant but also considered toxic to animals, so keep that in mind if your pets frequently spend time unsupervised in your garden. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most common form of lavender for garden cultivation, and also the type most often used in cooking and for decorative use, thanks to its heady aroma....

Maybe you have a block wall that needs outlets added to it. It could be a basement wall, garage wall, or even an under-counter outlet addition. You may use the metal type surface wire mold or the PVC type. Either, with its connection pieces, lengths of molding and boxes, make installing it easy. By adding additional lengths and boxes, you can add many outlets to any area in a room....

There are actually two types of Tarragon. The French one is more widely available and has a stronger flavor than the Russian variety. The French variety (subspecies Sativa) is the one our advice will be centered around. The plant has long, light green leaves and can grow to be a few feet high. Just one plant will generate a generous amount of leaves to pick. Tarragon is native to mild European regions....

Bugs are attracted to light, whether it’s outdoor lights on your house or the alluring light of an insect killer. If you dread being in your backyard because you loathe mosquito bites or swatting at flying pests, you may be considering an electric bug zapper. To see if Flowtron’s BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer could tackle a bevy of bugs, we tested this product for hours outside near a moderately wooded area....

With this guidance, we researched standout options fit for various decor styles. After narrowing down our final list, we were especially impressed with the durable design and pared-down versatility of Article’s Alna Drop-Leaf Table, thus naming it our top winner. Here are the best drop-leaf tables below. Measuring 51 x 34 inches in the expanded position, note that the Alna can seat up to four people. You’ll have to assemble it partially at home, but it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes....

“Polished appearance and affordable price tag. This couch is just under 79” long, and it comes in a black velvet-like microfiber finish.” Best Coffee Table: Mainstays Logan Coffee Table at Walmart “Made of engineered wood for a sturdy construction and comes in either an espresso or rustic oak finish.” Best Futon: DHP Emily Convertible Futon Sofa Couch at Walmart “71” long and it quickly and easily folds out into a twin bed if needed....

To help narrow your search, you should first consider your sleeping posture. “You simply need a roll behind the neck for support if you are a back sleeper,” says Robert Hayden, DC, chiropractor and spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association. “If you’re a side sleeper, your pillow should have enough vertical height to keep your head level so that you do not create stress points in the joints of the neck....

If you’re looking for more than just color inspiration, the Sherwin-Williams site also offers lots of DIY help and tutorials for your next home decorating project. Be sure to check out their ColorSnap app for your mobile phone or tablet, to take paint color matching on the road. Of course, if you happen to love turquoise or aqua, this site is a dream come true. You’ll find gorgeous room photos, products, and lots of color inspiration....

“A wall sconce can add more than just light to spaces,” says interior designer Ahmad AbouZanat of Project AZ. “It can be an opportunity for a design statement or an element that ties up materials and colors used throughout the home for consistency.” We researched top wall sconce options, evaluating design, price, installation, and adaptability to humid spaces and the outdoors. The juxtaposition of vintage and modern makes Birch Lane’s Keener Armed Sconce our favorite....

We tested and researched the best toys available from top brands, considering each option’s recommended age, longevity, and skills it’ll teach your little one. Our top picks include an adorable ride-on tricycle from Fisher-Price and a charming cottage from Step2 for hours of imaginative play. The setup is relatively simple except for a few of the parts, according to our tester. Still, the trike provides high entertainment value, especially since toddlers can ride it all by themselves....