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Light Virginia Bluebells are happy in partial to full shade. Welcomed by the morning sun, they will continue to flower but will require more water. These bell blooms enjoy some dappled sunlight beneath an old tree. Here, they make good companions for shade-loving Solomon’s Seal, hosta, and ferns, which offer an array of lush green foliage. Their blues contrast softly with pink lamium groundcover and astilbe. Water Native to the cool woodlands of Eastern North America, Virginia Bluebells crave regular watering....

When a stuffed animal won’t do for your toddler anymore, it may mean that your child requires something with a little more entertainment value. There are many options available for youngsters today, from books and board games to television-themed toys and playsets. We tested out the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2, which combines entertainment, education, and much more. Read on to see what we found. Design: Stylish look offering a variety of fun color options The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 is stylish, whether it’s for a toddler or a 10-year-old....

There are many tools that we use in feng shui to assess the flow of qi through a space. One way of understanding this energy flow is to look at the magnetic compass directions of certain aspects of a home. While not all schools of feng shui use the compass directions, some well-known schools such as the Classical and Compass schools do take this into account. Find Your House Facing Direction To find your house facing direction, you’ll need a compass....

A self-sufficient, autonomous building designed to utilize local and recycled materials, the Earthship is built to be as gentle and non-impactful on the planet as possible. These homes generate their own electricity, regulate temperature, and even provide water and food. Characteristics of an Earthship Earthships are extremely unique structures and there is no specific construction method. They are generally made of earth-packed tires, aluminum cans, glass bottles, cement, adobe, and stucco....

We might look at our current tabbed planner and wonder, what is bullet journaling anyway? The symbols, doodles, and activities might seem like a pointless waste of time if we don’t have the right background information and perspective. This guide will explain what bullet journaling is, what it isn’t, and provide some much-needed insight for those of us that want to get started but don’t know the first thing about it....

History of Georgian Architecture Georgian architecture was born under the reign of King Georges I-IV from 1714 to 1830 and was imported to the United States, notably New England, by English colonists. Georgian architects were inspired by the proportion and symmetry embraced by influential Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio (1508 to 1580), who had been influenced by the building styles of ancient Rome and Greece. Palladianism was a popular style in Britain between 1715 and 1760 that was a revival of Palladio’s ideas that came back in full force during the early Georgian period....

While modern cottage style doesn’t necessarily mean an actual cottage, it is a decor style that lends a certain feeling and has a few key elements. A welcoming, homey look reminiscent of decades past, modern cottage is a trend we’re certain to see more of in the years ahead. The History of Modern Cottage There is not a clear timeframe for the inception of the term “modern cottage,” but according to Google Trends, the phrase has risen in popularity since mid-2019....

The History of Modern Landscaping Modern landscaping didn’t arise out of one “school” of design but rather combines a number of influences and aesthetics. Mid-century design is surely an influence, particularly the geometric shapes and dramatic contrasts seen in prominent architects of the period like Frank Lloyd Wright. Brutalism is also an influence, particularly its use of building materials like concrete over natural stone. Concrete is less expensive than other traditional materials, giving it some desirability in urban planning for budget concerns....

But with all of the opportunity that shopping for furniture from afar brings, it also means that you need to be ultra-strategic before making a purchase, given that you most likely won’t be able to view a piece in person before buying and are placing an order from a shopkeeper who most likely doesn’t accept returns. So what are the key factors to keep in mind when using Insta as a tool to furnish your home with stunning vintage pieces?...

The Typical Chicken Diet Chickens rummage for earthworms, insects, and slugs of all kinds to eat. You may even see a rooster catch a mouse to feed his hens. However, most poultry also like to eat the tips and seeds of the following growing grasses and weeds: CloverBuckwheatKentucky bluegrassBroad-leaved weeds, such as dandelions What to Feed Chickens on the Farm Birds raised for meat and poultry kept for eggs require different diets....

As you shop for natural stone tiles, these are a number of general factors that you should consider. Absorption Rating The absorption rating refers to how porous a given material is. The more absorbent it is, the more susceptible the stone will be to stain. Absorbent stone can also be prone to cracking damage if it is subjected to freezing conditions. Natural stones vary greatly in their absorption rates, with sandstone being the most porous and granite the most impervious to water absorption....

Here are 10 white and silver plants that are suitable for a shade garden. USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8Flower Color Varieties: Pink, blue, whiteLight: Full, partialSoil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained, acidic to alkalineMature Size: 6–12 in. tall, 12–18 in. wideDeer Resistant: Yes USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7Flower Color Varieties: CreamLight: Full, partialSoil Needs: Loamy, moist but well-drained, acidic to alkalineMature Size: 4–6 ft. tall, 2–4 ft. wideDeer Resistant: Yes...

Radishes and turnips are among the easiest to grow, and potatoes and carrots are some of the hardest. Radishes grow fast, usually ready to harvest within 30 days. Turnips take about 60 days and require a lot more space than radishes. Potatoes and carrots are harder to grow because they are prone to pests, disease, and in-ground growth issues that are difficult to monitor and control. Here are some tips to get you growing root vegetables for your kitchen....

Start With a Plan, and Stick to it To stretch your decorating budget with paint, you’ll have to be organized before you shop. Impulse purchases are going to sink your budget quickly, and rarely work out when it comes to choosing paint for your home. If you love the thrill of impulse-buying, stick to impulse sampling instead. When you head to the paint counter, choose the color samples you think will be perfect for your space, but add one or two surprise picks to your list....

Fortunately, technology continues to improve as manufacturers tinker with noise control solutions. Your bathroom remodeling budget will be better spent on a high-quality showerhead or fancy bath towels. Look for a model with a slow-drop toilet seat that closes gradually, sparing your ears as well as tiny fingers. Some slow-close seats are also removable, which makes cleaning a snap. What feels fresh to you now will likely seem dated in five or ten years and could even make your home harder to sell....

While these lessons are intended for homeowners who do not in any way consider themselves experts in landscape design, this article assumes that you’ve at least dabbled in gardening a bit. If you’re not even at that level yet, a better place to begin would be my resource on how to start a garden from scratch, which will help you avoid basic mistakes such as placing sun-loving plants in shaded areas and trying to grow plants in soil that is too poor to support them....

With this in mind, we turned to some of our favorite designers to find out what common design mistakes they notice in people’s bedrooms and how to fix them. Designer Megan Molten agrees, noting that nightstands are a particular problem area. “I always see a pile of stuff on nightstands," she says. “We always try to source nightstands with adequate storage for our clients so they can keep them free and clear of clutter....

With this in mind, we turned to some of our favorite designers and interior experts to tell us what bedroom design trends they predict for the coming year. Gena Kirk, VP of corporate design at KB Home, agrees. “Adding a variety of lighting, from overhead lighting to pendant lighting over the nightstands, will allow you to easily adjust to how you are using the space," she says. “Now more than ever, it’s important that we have spaces of respite, like our bedrooms, that fit our unique needs to relax and retreat,” Kirk tells us....