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“This rule isn’t an exact science, but it’s a good guideline when planning your color scheme,” designer Heather Kirk explained in an email. “By keeping your colors in this ratio, it keeps things from feeling off balanced or too chaotic.” Kirk shared her tips for those seeking to design a space using this guideline. “Start with the feeling you want to create in a space, how you use the space and the permanence of the materials,” she said....

The Rhizomes Make the Difference All bamboos spread via rhizomes, stem-like extensions that run horizontally underground and sprout roots below and new plant shoots above. Running bamboos are monopodial and have long rhizomes that are quick to spread horizontally. Clumping bamboos are sympodial and have shorter rhizomes that stay closer to their point of origin and do not spread so rapidly. While clumping bamboos tend to grow outward from a central plant, running types quickly extend across a lawn or garden and pop up where you may not want them....

The source of rusty water is often an inground home well but some municipal water systems also have high levels of iron due to old cast iron water system pipes that are corroding. Rusty/Red Water Evidence of rusty or red water problems is usually caused by two sources: Evidence of Rusty or Red Water Laundry Problems Yellow, red or brown stains on clothes Yellowing of white clothes, especially when chlorine bleach is used Clogged steam iron vents and sputtering rusty water stains when ironing....

They differ quite a bit from a design perspective, and understanding the specifics of cost and installation of a sauna vs. a steam room will help you figure out which option best suits your needs. Sauna vs. Steam Room: The Benefits Heat has been used for centuries to promote wellness in the body, and both saunas and steam rooms use heat to benefit the body in a myriad of ways....

There are lots of reasons to move into a tiny home, and one of the most popular is how eco-friendly they are. In fact, it’s the third most common reason people choose to live tiny, according to a research study done by Maria Saxton, a PhD candidate at Virginia Tech. In the same study, she found that the ecological footprint of people living in tiny homes was almost half of the average American’s footprint....

Reasons for Shutting Off the Gas The main shutoff valve controlling your home’s natural gas supply may come into play during major construction or renovation involving gas lines or when closing up or shuttering a home. In rare instances, you may need to shut off the gas supply in the event of a natural disaster. Once the valve is turned off, do not turn it back on by yourself. It must be turned on by a gas company technician....

However, there are both benefits and drawbacks to the use of this material, which vary depending on the environment where it is being installed. Understanding the pros and cons can help you decide if slate is right for the use and demands of a particular room. Slate Flooring Cost The initial cost to purchase natural slate flooring tiles can be quite high, especially when purchasing top-quality materials that are most likely to last for decades....

Professional Installation Professional solid hardwood floor installation can be worth the cost. Consider that installers work quickly and they understand the complexities when it comes to laying hardwood flooring. By contrast, you will likely be learning as you go, which could extend the time it takes to install the floor. Additionally, pros know how to minimize the costs of inferior boards and wastage (meaning the extra amount of flooring needed to take care of end runs in a row of flooring boards) which could translate into significant savings....

Sound Barrier Fences: Factors to Consider A fence intended to serve as a noise barrier or “sound barrier” will typically use thick tongue-and-groove boards to form an impervious barrier. These boards are nailed to heavy rails, which, in turn, are supported by heavy posts. The operative word for noise barriers is obviously “heavy.” That is because, as a rule of thumb, mass dampens sound best—so fencing meant to block road sounds needs to be heavier than most other fencing....

Like their garden-varieties counterparts, the houseplant varieties produce flowers with three petals, although they are not particularly showy in these species. The blooms can be white, purple, pink, and other similar colors—depending on species and variety—and appear regularly. When tended to indoors, spiderwort plants can be started and grown year-round (though they should be planted in early fall if grown outdoors). They will grow rapidly and can become invasive in their outdoor environment if left to their own devices....

Through in-store trials and reading through dozens of online reviews, finding just the right mattress can be a challenge. Fortunately, mattress toppers help to fill the gap to give consumers a good night’s sleep. The Superior Microfiber All Season Down Alternative Mattress Topper has received some attention among reviewers for softening up firm mattresses and reviving old ones. Over the course of several weeks, we tested this topper’s comfortability, temperature regulation, and ease of cleaning....

Sewer Drain Basics Homes with city sewer service have a single horizontal sewer drain pipe running underground from the house to the street. The drain pipe is usually 4 inches in diameter but can be as small as 3 inches. This main sewer drain pipe under the yard is connected to the main drain inside the house, which accepts the wastewater from the individual branch drains serving each plumbing fixture, including sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets, as well as the washing machine....

Our favorite, The Bed by Thuma, is Greenguard and CertiPUR-US certified, forms a sturdy base, and is available in six sizes. Here are the best beds in every category. Appropriately named “The Bed”—as in, the only bed you’ll ever need—this pick from Thuma has features to please just about everyone. It starts with a solid rubberwood frame that fits together like puzzle pieces. The result? A durable base that’s virtually noise-free and ridiculously simple to assemble (we’re talking, one person, no tools)....

Says Deane Biermeier, a former general contractor and member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board: “All of my caulk guns are light in terms of weight, and have varying thrust ratios from 10:1 to 20:1. The low weight helps to keep fatigue at a minimum. I use the low ratio gun for general use like filling gaps or sealing plumbing fixtures. The higher ratio gun, I use for thick adhesives or cold tubes of caulk....

We evaluated dozens of lamps, evaluating brightness, design, value, and added features. Our favorite, the Brightever Industrial Dimmable Desk Lamp, is small but effective and can also charge your smartphone. Here are the best desk lamps. When you’re working at home, an ideal desk lamp is bright enough to keep you focused and comes with features for greater efficiency. Our best overall pick, the Brightever Industrial Dimmable Desk Lamp, soars above the competition in those areas....

We researched the best karaoke machines for kids, considering the size, connectivity, and recommended age of each pick. Our favorite pick is the Singing Machine Bluetooth Karaoke Machine. With LED disco lights and easy Bluetooth connectivity to various devices, this option is perfect for parties. Here are the best kids’ karaoke machines. Coming from a top name in kids’ karaoke machines, the Singing Machine Bluetooth Karaoke System is pleasantly compact and lightweight....

Our top choice is the Hawkins New York Essential Waffle Dish Towel, which comes in several chic hues and boasts an ultra-soft honeycomb texture. But there are plenty of other towels we’ve checked out, too! Read on for our list of best dish towels, including tea towels, waffle dish cloths, and super-efficient microfiber! At 29 x 21.5 inches, these dish cloths are on the larger side. While they’re perfect for drying hands and dishes, they might be too big for certain uses, like wiping down your counters....

Whether in the kitchen, the garage, or a home office, a pegboard can keep your items tidy while also serving as a design moment. Melissa Gugni, a professional organizer in the San Francisco Bay Area, likens pegboards to the “little black dress” of organization because they can be dressed up or down, depending on your storage needs. “I’ve used them in grimy garages and stylish offices, kids rooms, and closets,” she explains....