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Putting It In the Wrong Light Let’s face it, the way that people describe lighting situations can be confusing. When you purchase a new plant it’ll probably say what type of light the plant thrives in. But what does bright indirect light really mean anyway? Some plants do well in bright light and low light, but very few tags will explain the difference that more light will make: a plant that can survive in low light, won’t necessarily thrive in it....

Why does this matter? Doors are one of the most important parts of your home to look at when it comes to feng shui. The front door, also called the mouth of qi, is particularly significant because it is the primary way that qi (energy) enters the home. Having a functional, unblocked, welcoming front door and entryway can help invite positive energy and opportunities for everyone who lives there. In general, doors represent a few different things in feng shui....

When things inside a thermostat go awry, your HVAC system as a whole can take a turn for the worse. However, pinpointing exactly what is causing your thermostat issues can sometimes be difficult. Here are a few common reasons thermostats fail and how you can remedy them. The Thermostat’s Power Source Is Failing You head over to your thermostat and notice the screen is dark. More than likely, this means there’s no power getting to it....

To make your home feel festive during your family gathering, decorating the Thanksgiving table is almost as valuable as the food you serve. Follow our Thanksgiving table decorating tips, from DIY ideas to budget-friendly store-bought ideas, that will elevate your Thanksgiving tablescape and are easy to execute so you can spend more time with your family and friends.

Nevertheless, when you bring a dog—or really, any animal—into your space, everything changes. Whether you’ve been a pet owner for years or are just starting to shack up with your pup, here are five home design tips based on your dog’s personality and temperament. What will help dogs with this temperament is knowing where their sleeping area is. Because this type of dog is generally relaxed and laid back, he will prefer having a space in your house to lay but won’t be married to it....

Feeling crafty? Why not give one of these simple, DIY gems a try? With the aid of some inexpensive frames, the children’s books you adored as a kid can be easily transformed into meaningful wall art for your little one. Choose a few beautifully illustrated, well-loved classics, or settle on a single title and use it as the basis of a theme. Framed Children’s Books from In My Blessed Nest Framed Flash Cards from The Farmer’s Nest These adorable, yarn-wrapped letters are as simple as they are beautiful....

The most beautiful and inviting interiors are designed when a decorator or homeowner takes creative risks and breaks a few decorating rules along the way. It is important to learn the rules before you break them so that you can make informed choices for your new space. Rule 1: Everything Must Match Everything really does not have to match. If you have been following interior design trends, this is less important than it has ever been....

We spoke to a few plant professionals to find out what they always notice about your plants immediately upon entering your space, and the responses were very interesting. 1. When Your Plants Are Overwatered If you have a lot of plants, you probably stick to a watering schedule… but you may be doing it wrong. “At Plant Proper, we like to recommend checking your plants on a schedule rather than watering on a schedule," says Matt Aulton, head grower at Plant Proper....

Cathie Hong, interior designer and founder of the namesake boutique interior design firm, has managed to master the idea of balancing colors with interiors that are minimal at heart. It’s true—the satisfaction of a sleek, minimal room can still be coupled with colors outside of gray, white, cream, and beige. “As a minimalist and one who gravitates toward the Japandi aesthetic of clean, neutral, minimalist interiors, I like to start with a base of warm whites, taupes, and soft oiled oaks in differing textures and materials,” she says....

These nine plants are Japanese icons that are perfect for a zen garden or lovers of Japanese culture. USDA growing zones: 3 to 8 depending on the varietyColor varieties: Red, pink, yellow, and white depending on the varietySun exposure: Partial to fullSoil needs: Well-drained, rich, acidic soil USDA growing zones: 5 to 8 (varies by type)Sun exposure: Full to partialSoil needs: Aerated, light, and rich USDA growing zones: 7 to 9 depending on the varietyColor varieties: White, pink, or red depending on the varietySun exposure: Light or dappled shadeSoil needs: Well-drained, rich, loamy soil...

What to Look For While a garage floor mat may look like a simple rug or gym mat, its material is actually much tougher than that of decorative or recreational mats. Some key features to look for when shopping for a garage floor mat include: Resistance to chemical and petroleum spills Slip-resistance to improve safety Cushioning to reduce fatigue on your feet and legs Textured or grooved construction to channel liquids and dirt Easy-to-clean materials Ability to withstand vehicle traffic Sufficient weight to resist sliding around Smoothness and strength to allow gliding around on a creeper if you do car repair...

If you want to get the modern farmhouse look, here’s what you need to know. What Is Modern Farmhouse Style? Modern farmhouse design evokes feelings of warmth and comfort. It’s traditional without being fussy, classic without being like a museum, and comfortable in a way that makes you want to put your feet up and stay a while. While classic farmhouse style evokes homesteads with plenty of vintage furnishings and traditional fabrics, modern farmhouse style is a bit less rustic and adds more contemporary touches, such as a neutral color scheme and smooth lines....

When it comes to adding art to your walls, things can get overwhelming quickly. While downloadable prints have become all the rage these days, what do you do once you’re ready to print it out? Megan Carty is here to save the day. As an abstract painter whose work has been featured everywhere from Anthropologie to Homegoods, she gave us the scoop on where she turns when she needs high-quality prints....

Blooming from mid-summer throughout fall, Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ is free flowering and can self-seed, in good growing conditions. It is known to be aggressive, but not invasive, however that depends on both growing conditions and hardiness zones. ‘Honorine Jobert’ has been grown for over a century. It was a sport of a pale pink Anemone x hybrida that was cultivated at the British Royal Horticultural Society’s Chiswick garden in 1884, but this occurred in France....

How to Grow Plants in Apartments While some plants are more hardy and forgiving to beginner gardeners than others, all plants have specific growing requirements that must be met. Here are some elements to consider as you’re choosing plants to grow in your apartment garden: Sunlight Most fruiting and flowering plants need a full day of sunshine. That means six to eight hours of direct sun daily. This can be hard to come by in an apartment—especially in a city where tall buildings can block the sun for at least part of the day....

People who grow Apricot Trees, however, are often dismayed to find out that most climates in North America do not support fruiting on the trees. Unless you live in an area where your temperatures are stable all year round, this will likely be the case. Apricot blooms are very susceptible to spring frosts. The good news is that the trees are stunning in their own right—you might just have to make peace with the fact that your apricots will have to continue to be store-bought....

The taller varieties of balloon flowers can become a bit floppy. You can stake them or plant them in clumps to let them support one another. Start with nursery plants or grow your balloon flowers from seed. Light You will get the most flowers if you plant balloon flowers in full sun (at least six hours of sunlight on most days). However, they will be fine in part shade and might actually prefer some shade from where the afternoon sun is especially hot....

Whether or not you actually want a kitchen of this size, the 10-by-10-foot kitchen floorplan has become a standard currency when discussing and comparing kitchen planning and remodeling strategies. It can be useful when planning your own kitchen remodel. Ten-by-Ten-Foot: Default Average Kitchen Size As it turns out, 10-by-10 feet (or measurements that total 100 square feet) is a fairly common dimension for kitchens—but only when you define a kitchen by the true food preparation space....