Still, some homeowners may desire—or feel the need—for painting cedar siding. If you do, the coating system for red cedar siding with the longest expected service life is finished on all six sides with a stain-blocking primer and top coated with 100% exterior acrylic-latex paint. Factory-applied finishes of this type are available in most market areas where cedar siding is sold. But installed cedar siding that is painted on one to four sides can still provide excellent protection....

To offer one means for determining the proper tile for your application, the tile industry provides a PEI rating based on testing by the Porcelain Enamel Institute. Headquartered in Norcross, GA, the institute is “dedicated to advancing the common interests of porcelain enameling plants and suppliers of porcelain enameling materials and equipment.” The PEI categorization primarily defines the hardness and durability of the various ceramic products that are tested. It should be noted that the PEI rating involves testing of only the surface wear layer of a tile’s enamel glazing; it does not measure the fracture strength of the entire tile, nor does it offer any rating of the slip-resistance of the tile....

With the Pottery Barn 700-Thread-Count Sateen Sheet Set, you’re paying more for a high-quality product. Why is it so important to have solid cotton bedding? Ideally, you’re spending eight hours a day wrapped up in your sheets. Not only can they impact the quality of your sleep, they can also play a role in skin health. Artificial fibers like polyester don’t breathe as well as cotton sheets, so they won’t keep you as cool....

. Trailing varieties of the plant, such as ‘Blue Rain’ and ‘Huntington Carpet’, are especially good for indoor growing. How to Grow Rosemary Indoors Sunlight Even when grown outdoors, rosemary is best suited to full sunlight (at least six hours per day) and it is only moderately tolerant of shade. This can cause issues when the plant is grown (or moved) indoors, where it is difficult to achieve the right sunlight conditions, especially during the short winter months....

These solutions usually fall into three camps: If you incline to reach for a shade grass seed mix, keep in mind that slope, soil, tree species, and tree roots all play a significant role. Other groundcovers may be a better investment of time and money. That aside, three grass species stand out in studies of long-term shade performance. For northern climates, they are supina bluegrass (Poa supina) and creeping red fescue (Festuca Rubra )....

For some projects, it is obvious that one thing must happen before the other thing. Example: Insulation must be installed before the drywall. Yet what about other processes that seem like a close call? Refinishing or laying floors and interior painting are two home remodeling and building projects that usually happen around the same time. When scheduling, should you paint the walls before or after refinishing or laying the floors?...

Taking them off is a smart first move, but if someone’s home is set up for keeping shoes on it might be an uncomfortable mistake. The best first step is simply asking what they prefer, as it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially in homes where shoes-off is the norm. “There are any number of reasons why a host might establish a house rule of no shoes indoors,” explains etiquette expert Thomas P....

Small bathroom remodeling is often about smart fixture selection, storage solutions, light, colors, and styling. For example, it helps to think of alternatives to standard versions of vanities, tubs, and even toilets. There are many compact alternatives out there and they offer a custom look, too. Is it the window that does it? The eye-catching matrix of 48 glass blocks is a perfect way to allow light in while maintaining privacy....

Laundry rooms have large appliances, countertops, cabinets, and sometimes a sink. So they borrow much of their inspiration from kitchen layout planning, employing favorites such as the L-shaped, U-shaped, galley, and open plan floor plans. Not only does the laundry room footprint need to work within its given space, but it also needs to maximize the user’s efforts while reducing the overall workload. Typically called a galley or quarter-style laundry room, this layout fits in long, narrow areas found off the side of kitchens or in mudrooms....

A Sand by Any Other Name For all intents and purposes, horticultural sand is the same thing as sharp sand and is similar to builders sand and horticultural grit. These aren’t exactly the same things, and regional variations abound, but they all can be used for the same purpose: to improve drainage, particularly in clay-like soil. In a seedling or potting mix, gritty sand does more than promote drainage, improving the soil’s structure, providing tiny spaces for air and water to move around, and making it easier for roots to grow through the medium....

This isn’t the time to be creative or charming. In fact, sometimes the less said the better. Losing any family member to death is heartbreaking. Siblings have a special connection. So when one of them dies, the others often feel as though their world has been shaken to the core. It’s important to understand the depth of emotion people have when they lose their brother. At the Funeral When you go to the funeral of a friend’s brother, expect to see tears....

Telestrations sounds like some sort of dry engineering term, but it’s actually a hugely popular game that purports to leave its players crying with laughter. Created by The OP, or USAopoly, the Southern California company that got its start by coming up with creative riffs on Monopoly, this silly family-friendly game is named for the portmanteau of “telephone” and “illustration.” Like the old-school whispering game of Telephone, Telestrations works best in large groups and requires virtually no setup....

Our top pick is the EGO POWER+ 21" Self-Propelled Mower because it has an excellent run-time, is easy to maneuver, and charges rapidly. Here are the best electric lawn mowers. The EGO POWER+ 21" Self-Propelled Mower is our top pick because it is powerful, quiet, and simple to use. This battery-powered model has a self-propelled design that makes it easy to maneuver and can last for up to a full hour per charge, making it ideal for use on small and medium-sized yards....

Keeping in mind Debra’s advice that one hose doesn’t suit every situation, we tested dozens of garden hoses in the homes of product testers and at our outdoor testing Lab. Hoses were subjected to a slew of real-world tests to find the best options, based on criteria including maneuverability, weight, and durability. Our top pick, the Forever Steel Hose, is sturdy, doesn’t kink, and is easy to pull around the yard or garden....

When researching the best retailers, we considered factors such as installation and expertise, product offering, and return policy. Our favorite retailers include Carpet One, for its reputable brands and access to flooring specialists, and American Carpet Wholesalers, for its ongoing sales on reputable brands of carpet. See below for our top places to buy carpet for your home. On their site, which lists pricing, you can filter searches by price range, color, warranty, and material....

If your bedroom has a window, situating the peace lily nearby will increase the production of white flower-like spathes, which endure for weeks. If your room is somewhat dark and blooming seems unlikely, choose a peaceful lily variety like ‘Domino’ with its white variegated foliage to brighten up low-light environments. Thriving in all light situations, the trailing vines of English ivy look attractive in hanging baskets or draped over a side table....

Though finding the right mattress for you will depend on your sleep style and preferences, we’ve found that the best queen mattress for most people is the Saatva Classic Queen Mattress. It’s made to order, is available in three firmness options, and comes with free delivery and setup. Here are the best queen mattresses. What do buyers say? 2,300+ Saatva reviewers rated this product an average 4.9 out of 5....

Look for a sleeper sofa that fits your space, including when it is put away and when it is extended. It should also be comfortable with cushions that provide enough support and construction that will ensure your guests have a nice place to sleep for years to come. Here are the best sleeper sofas to provide extra accommodations even in a small space. If you are worried about the overall profile of a sleeper sofa, the Barrett is the solution....