Gem trees are inherently precious and valuable because they are made of precious materials like crystals. They are also shaped to resemble the jade plant, which can represent prosperity and good luck. Since natural crystals are so popular these days, many practitioners today like to use them as feng shui objects because of their energetic properties. If crystals resonate with you, they are beautiful tools that you can use in your home with feng shui intentions....

Shims, whether wood or plastic, are so valuable to home remodeling projects that you should always have a package of them on hand. What Shims Are A shim is a thin wedge made of wood or plastic, traditionally used for incrementally positioning and adjusting building elements before securing them in place. The most common construction use of shims is to wedge window or door units in place within their framing during installation....

While some of these hummingbirds are unique and distinctive, others are very similar and can only be told apart by one or two definitive clues, clues that may not always be easy to see. The hummingbird identification list below can help even novice birders narrow down the clues that separate each species, helping improve hummingbird identification skills so every birder feels more confident about the hummers they see. To use this list, compare the most noticeable characteristics of hummingbirds you see with the notes to help eliminate species from the identification possibilities....

Whether you’re aching to bring that laundry up from a dank, dark basement to the top floor or you simply can’t figure out where to put it at all, these lovely yet small laundry “closets” prove that even the smallest spaces can become a laundry room. The countertop makes a great place for folding and storing, and the door provides a little natural light to motivate you to finish that last load of laundry....

Even though we’re still officially in 2022, we can’t help but look at the endless possibilities Blank Canvas has to offer. So, we rounded up some of our favorite products in line with Behr’s pick for the must-have shade of 2023. These pieces are perfectly versatile, just like Blank Canvas—and they’re sure to be great additions to any home, neutral or colorful.

Fortunately for homeowners, renters, amateur decorators, and anyone else trying to turn their living space into a home that reflects their style, Studio 3B—the latest home decor line from Bed Bath & Beyond—bucks that trend. Sure, the new furnishings, wall art, bedding, dinnerware, and more from Studio 3B lean into mid-century modern decor vibes (the accent furniture is inspired in part by the Japandi design style) and use trending colorways, but the line isn’t trying to force a style on its shoppers—something anyone looking for versatile furniture options at reasonable prices can appreciate....

Latin Name This plant is classified as Pittosporum tobira. It belongs to the Pittosporaceae family. Common Names Some common names for this shrub include Japanese mockorange, Japanese cheesewood, Japanese pittosporum, tobira, and Japanese mock-orange. Preferred USDA Hardiness Zones This can be a part of your landscape if you live in Zones 8 through 10. As the common name suggests, this shrub is native to Japan, but also found in China and Korea....

The Kansas City metropolitan area is almost equally divided between the two states. While Bradley’s business is based in Kansas City, Missouri, he has clients in both states. “We design, build, and maintain.” This particular landscape project is in the Prairie Village subdivision on the Kansas side, on a cul-de-sac with a dozen or so other homes that are mostly designed in the “traditional” style. “I get my hands dirty,” he admits....

Durability Laminate on countertops can chip, peel, and flake. Never cut directly on the laminate. Hot irons may singe the laminate. Appearance Laminate countertops are available in a wide range of colors and finishes, from solids to faux stone. Premium, designer-grade laminate has sharper graphics. Pricing For the budget-sensitive laundry room remodel, laminate countertops are a wise choice. Laminate can be one of the least expensive countertop material. Longevity Laminate countertops have a limited lifespan, especially with hard use....

Since coffee grounds are wet after brewing the coffee, you may need to spread them on a baking sheet to dry before using them for some of these hacks. The one place you should never put coffee grounds is down the kitchen sink or garbage disposal. Soggy grounds are heavy and can clog a sink very quickly. Check out these 10 hacks for using coffee grounds instead. Once you have a nice, loamy pile of compost, add some earthworms for even quicker decomposition....

Once they’re established, lilacs don’t require much maintenance. They will typically only need watering during prolonged periods of drought, and they prefer annual fertilization. Pruning also is generally an annual task. Light Grow lilac bushes in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. Lilacs will tolerate some shade, but too little light can limit their bloom. They do not do well in full shade....

What Are Lumens? The lumen is a scientific measurement of how much light a source puts out. A higher lumen number makes for a brighter light bulb, and a lower lumen number results in a dimmer light bulb. What Are Watts? Watts are a measure of energy use, rather than the actual light level. The higher the wattage is of a light bulb, the more energy it consumes (and vice versa)....

Sectionals are a big deal in my household as we are a family that likes to put our feet up. With five kids from age 8 to 16, we also have a lot of bodies to accommodate. It is nice to recline on a sectional, but I also love that the right angle seating design promotes conversation, since people can more comfortably face each other while sitting on the sofa....

Red-burgundy fruit emerges in summer and fall as a mass of red seeds on a bumpy surface, expanding to small, rounded, bloated berries. While resembling miniature strawberries, fruits are very seedy and dry with little to no flavor. Similar in size to the flower from which they are borne, fruit measures less than one inch in length and width. Flowers are often confused with the Potentilla species, such as the Shrubby Cinquefoil, and fruits resemble the Fragaria species, which includes common garden strawberries....