So it makes perfect sense that remodels are so often geared toward the kitchen. What about thinking of your kitchen in the long-term sense, in terms of investment and return? Will your kitchen remodel projects be a positive contribution to your home’s value or will they erode that value? Keep it timeless and traditional with an all-white kitchen color scheme. Or take the opposite tack and go chic with a black kitchen....
Whether you have kids, pets, or just messy adults living in your home, you’ll probably need a multi-surface cleaner like the Concentrated Cleaner and Degreaser from Krud Kutter. It’s a highly effective spray cleaner made to remove grease and dirt from various surfaces ranging from exteriors to carpet, fabrics, laminate, tile, wood, metal, plastic, and more. It’s safe to use on porous surfaces, and there’s no strong smell that lingers after use....
Since 2007, LifeSmart has specialized in infrared heaters for the home. The LifeSmart Infrared Quartz Fireplace Heater is a larger, fireplace-style heater that can warm large rooms and even entire small houses at a small initial purchase cost. We put the popular electric heater, with its furniture-like mantel design, to the test to see if it could successfully heat our Colorado home on chilly, late winter days. Setup: No setup, but challenging size The LifeSmart Infrared Quartz Fireplace Heater doesn’t require any setup....
Just Like a Hug Dear Home,It’s the little things in life. The moments that stop and make you smile. Every day when we are together, you make me feel loved. From the beautiful window treatments to the textured wall coverings and soothing color palette. I always want to head back to your welcoming arms. You inspire me both professionally and personally. In fact, it led me to trademark a tagline to share with my design clients: Let’s make your home feel like a hug®....
Almost every culture considers birds of flight to be symbols of good luck. They can remind us of the cycles of nature, teach us how to harmonize with our environment, and bring levity and joy to our lives. Learn all about the meaning of the swallow and how to incorporate this symbol of good fortune, growth, transition, and community harmony into your home and life. Swallow Symbolism and Meaning in Feng Shui Swallows are graceful migratory birds that are found in most parts of the world....
Here, we’ve rounded up ten beautiful examples of this architectural movement in America. Mission Revival is the result of the preservation movement and occurred alongside the American Arts and Crafts movement around the 1920s. The movement drew inspiration from Spanish architecture and adobe homes. When identifying a Mission-style home, some key characteristics include smooth stucco exteriors, overhanging eaves, a gabled tile roof, and arched entryways and windows. Some additional Mission Revival characteristics that are a little less common, but still used to identify this style of house, include large square pillars, decorative iron elements, and covered walkways or arcades....
Pack a mug, plate, knife, fork, and spoon for each member of the family. Mugs are better than glasses as they can be used for both hot and cold beverages. Wrap glasses and pack plates and utensils well to ensure they arrive at your new home safely. For cooking, pack one all-purpose pot that can be used to boil water or stir-fry vegetables. Only include this essential if your household goods are going to take longer than a few days to reach your new home....
The Best Mulch for Flowerbeds The best mulch is the one you are willing to maintain. Some gardeners swear by compost or manure for their enriching properties; others demand specialty mulches like cocoa bean hulls for their ornamental value. Experiment and invest in the one that suits your landscape and climate. Organic or Inorganic Mulch? In reference to mulch, organic doesn’t mean the absence of chemicals. Organic mulches are derived from living things, such as shredded bark, grass clippings, leaves, and even paper....
And it matters! Giving your plant optimal growing conditions is how you end up with new leaves, interesting fenestrations, and notable variegation. Not enough water and the soil is too dry for good growth (your leaves might even go limp). Too much water and the root rot takes over. Enter PlantStraws. Instead of me trying to guess when the soil needs more water so it can be evenly moist, Plant Straw lets my plants make that choice....
Rules for Outdoor Receptacles Many of the rules applying to outdoor receptacle outlets are aimed at reducing the likelihood of shock, which is a notable risk anytime a user is in direct contact with the earth. The principal rules for outdoor receptacles include: GFCI (ground-fault circuit-interrupter) protection is required for all outdoor receptacles. Specific exceptions may be made for snow-melting or deicing equipment, where the equipment is powered by an inaccessible outlet....
The New Zealand sedge is an evergreen perennial grass that has year-round appeal. This sedge variety is well-loved for its dramatic color palette, which shifts from olive green to a rich copper color in autumn, making it a dynamic plant to use in seasonal landscape designs. New Zealand sedge (Carex testacea) is also known as New Zealand hairy sedge, and orange sedge, referring to its vibrant seasonal color. Carex almost always refers to “sedge” plants....
If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer amount of “cozy” fall items available this season, look no further—our editors are here to help. From researching the comfiest slippers to putting fuzzy blankets to the test, they know how to prepare a home for fall and stay cozy while doing so. We also reached out to Lauren Robbins, Founder and Lead Designer of Lauren Robbins Interiors, to learn her trick for prepping any home’s decor for fall....
This scene is dominated by symmetry, which was probably suggested by the double doors. Each door has a Christmas wreath. The matching dwarf Alberta spruce trees simply continue the theme of symmetrical balance. The little things can often make a difference when designing a small decoration. That’s why an unusual creative touch can have a great impact in a window box. If you look at this window box closely you can see the four brownish objects....
Make Treasure Hunts More Fun The treasure hunt is especially fun with school-age kids who can read the clues themselves, though they may occasionally need help. With a lot of grandchildren on hand, the treasure hunt is likely to turn into a mad dash. With a single grandchild, it will be more leisurely. With multiple grandchildren, you’ll want to make them take turns reading the clues and be sure to provide enough “treasure” for each child at the end....
In addition, Benjamin Moore sponsors education and training for professionals through the construction industry’s premier online trainer, AEC Daily. You don’t have to be a professional needing to earn continuing education credits—anyone can learn about Color and Paint in Environments for the Aging, Color Foundations, Creating Healthy Environments with Advanced Paint Technology, and Origins of Color and Pigments—and every course is for free. Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury / Getty Images Palettes: Blend and mix complicated color palettes to create just the right shades for your painting and decorating projects....
We recently connected with Corbin to discuss her two current projects: a newly revamped Harlem townhouse and a work-in-progress Catskills cabin. Is interior design something you’ve also been into? Hannah Corbin: I never thought I would own a home in New York, maybe because I’m a millennial? I’ve always fixed my spaces to feel like home—even if it was a temporary apartment—because my living space is so important to me, having that place to come home to....
Brick patterns include basket weave (sometimes spelled as one word), herringbone, and running bond. The photos here provide examples. For a tutorial on construction, see this article on building brick patios. That tutorial instructs readers to start with a relatively easy hardscape project: building a patio without having to cut your pavers. Herringbone Pattern “Herringbone” is the name of a pattern, used, for example, in bricklaying. Herringbone stamped concrete patterns can mimic such brick designs....
