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A full-service bathroom has as many as four services: toilet, sink, and one or two bathing facilities (shower, bathtub, shower/tub combo, or shower and tub). Thus, a half-bath has half as many of these services. Some people call it a powder room or guest bathroom, but as long as it has no bathing services, it is a half-bathroom. Half-bathrooms are a blessing in disguise. Because there are no bathing facilities to deal with, your remodel job is cut in half: no shower, no bathtub, no extensive counters, and the floor space is postage-stamp-sized....

While I am a human heart-eye emoji about farmhouse decor, I’ve noticed the rules can get a little murky if you’re not careful. So, naturally, I turned to the experts for their thoughts on what mistakes we are all prone to making when it comes to this style. Underestimating the Importance of the Kitchen This is true for most homes, but historically speaking, the kitchen is the true heart of the farmhouse....

8 Clever Ideas for Hanging Curtains Here are eight ideas to give you a place to start. As you begin searching around your home, you may well find more options that suit your personal style even better. Coat Hooks Metal coat hooks made of brass or another metal can be attached above your window to hold curtain panels. Attach curtain rings or fabric ties to the top of the curtains and loop them over the hooks....

Over-Scaled Chandeliers Chandeliers are already known for making a major impact in any space, but why not really add some visual interest to a room by going extra big? “We love the dramatic impact that an over-scaled, multi-tiered chandelier makes, especially in the work of lighting designer Lindsey Adelman,” Jason Bell, of Blackberry Farm Design, says. “The popularity of these huge pieces has really grown, even for use in smaller spaces, and we think that this trend will continue well past 2023....

Bedroom and Loft: A Breathable, Multipurpose Bed Unsurprisingly, the key furniture piece in a bedroom is the bed, and you want to choose one that’s comfortable and multi-functional. Custom or store-bought beds with built-in storage are ideal, said Whitney Leigh Morris, small space designer, author, consultant, and blogger behind Tiny Canal Cottage. She recommends looking for storage pieces that aren’t bulky, and instead utilize precious vertical and corner spaces when possible....

A fuse box has a series of threaded sockets into which the fuses are screwed in like light bulbs. Each circuit in the home is protected by a fuse, and each fuse must be the correct type and have an appropriate amperage rating for its circuit. Using the wrong type of fuse for a circuit can pose a serious fire hazard, so it’s important to identify the correct fuse for each circuit....

The classic cast-iron clawfoot tub still exists and can be purchased new. It has many advantages. But acrylic clawfoots have been giving cast-iron tubs a run for their money. Which is best for you? Traditional Cast-Iron Clawfoot Tubs In the late 1800s, American Standard produced the first clawfoot tub. It was made of heavy, sturdy cast iron, and covered in a hard enamel surface which made it easier to clean....

You typically won’t have any pruning to do on this plant, but you can remove leaves that have yellowed or otherwise discolored for aesthetic purposes. Simply cut them at their base with sterilized pruning shears. You also can remove plant offshoots that pop up from the soil to start new plants. Wait until these baby plants are at least 6 inches high before cutting them off from the main plant and planting them separately....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Corvus brachyrhynchosCommon Name: American Crow, Common Crow, CrowLifespan: 7-8 yearsSize: 18 inchesWeight: .7-1.4 poundsWingspan: 35-40 inchesConservation Status: Least concern American Crow Identification At first it might seem simple to identify the American crow as a large, all-black bird, but these birds look very similar to other corvids and grackles and it can be difficult to get a positive identification. Birders who are familiar with this widespread bird’s key field marks and other attributes will feel more confident about identifying crows....

Revive your kitchen by choosing a new shade of paint that will last, despite the tough demands of this busy space in your home. You’ll need to think about what type of paint is best for kitchens and which finish will last the longest in a room that has moisture, humidity, oils, and maybe even smoke from the occasional batch of burnt cookies. Oil Paint vs. Latex Paint The first place to start in your search for the best paint for kitchens is the question of whether to use oil paint or latex paint....

There are so many factors that go into finding the perfect vacuum for you. Even after hours of research and comparing prices at online and big-box retailers, you can still end up with one that doesn’t meet you or your home’s expectations. That’s why we took so much care in personally testing out the Bissell CleanView Bagless Vacuum—an inexpensive vacuum with thousands of stellar reviews. The model may be budget-friendly, but it comes with lots of features, like a TurboBrush tool, bagless canister, 25-foot power cord, and reusable filter....

Spotting or discoloration on leaves Wilting or decaying leaves and shoots Leaf drop Fuzzy grayish brown growth on flowers and foliage Flower buds that fail to open Rotting flower buds Damping off disease of seedlings Botrytis thrives in high humidity and cool weather, so gardeners will see signs of grey mold most often on sprin-blooming flowers. Flowers Affected by Botrytis In the outdoor flower garden, marigolds, impatiens, peonies and roses are the most likely plants to show signs of botrytis....

Another important consideration when choosing a location for a bur oak is that while the tree is tough, it does not tolerate salt spray well. For that reason, it should not be planted next to a road or driveway with winter maintenance. Light Bur oak prefers full sun with at least six hours of direct light. Soil The tree can adapt to many different soils, both in terms of texture and structure....

Candy Oh rose is a plant of many names: Zlemartincipar is the cultivar name, but you are more likely to encounter the plant under some combination of the following names: Oso Happy, Candy Oh! (the exclamation point is part of the name, but it is commonly dropped), and Vivid Red. Together, “Candy Oh!” and “Vivid Red” make up the trademark name of these fast-growing roses. The explanation of this trademark name comes courtesy of Tim Wood, product development manager at Spring Meadow Nursery and Proven Winners....

Cast-iron plants require very simple maintenance: watering when the soil dries out and fertilizing for part of the year. Most mistakes that occur with these plants involve overwatering (they dislike waterlogged soil) or placing them in direct sunlight. With cast-iron plants, a fairly hands-off approach is typically best. Light Keep cast-iron plants away from direct sunlight, which can bleach and burn the leaves. If you’re keeping one as a houseplant, a north-facing window is ideal....

Why Use Cellulose Sponges? Manufactured cellulose sponges are some of the most common cleaning sponges available. The tiny holes in cellulose sponges are meant to absorb and hold liquid while you use them. They can last through some reasonably tough cleaning jobs. A cellulose wipe is another version of a flatter cellulose sponge. You can use these rectangular flat sponges in place of paper towels or for dusting and polishing. They are reusable for up to six months when properly cared for and are biodegradable....

These perennial vines are fast growers and boast tubular, bright orange, yellow, or red flowers. The flowers are produced on spikes or racemes, making a long stem of showy blooms. As if these beautiful blooms weren’t enough, they also attract hummingbirds. The leaves are light green and have an oval shape with deep veins. Typically, these vines produce their beautiful blooms in mid-summer. If you live in areas with cold winters, they will continue to bloom until frost....

While climbers are often capable of climbing without human intervention, a little bolstering is usually helpful to guide them in a particular direction and give them optimal display value. Moreover, the exact way in which a vine climbs will have a lot to do with what kind of support you give it. Different Ways Climbers Climb Some climbing vines are twining types. These “twiners” wind around supports, creating a spiral as they ascend....