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When we were looking at building our current home, the neighborhood’s one-story model drew us in with its long, wide entry hall that led to one enormous room that served as three in one. You could cook dinner while catching the game on the big TV on the other side of the room. Chill and binge some shows while still keeping an eye on the kids playing just down the way....

Between the Laser Beams To play this game, you’ll need an area where you can string some yarn, ribbon or tape in a web-like pattern. Once you have set up the laser beam obstacle course, place a valuable item on one side. Have the kids line up on the other side. One at a time, players must weave their way through without touching any of the “laser beams.” When a player reaches the other side, she must grab the valuable item and return through the course to the starting place....

Latin Name: Camellia japonicaYear Adopted: 1959/1999Preferred Hardiness Zones: Zones 7b-9b Related State Symbols: State Fruit: Blackberry (Rubus occidentalis) State Nut: Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) State Tree: Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) State Tree Fruit: Peach (Prunus persica) Latin Name: Myosotis alpestrisYear Adopted: 1917Preferred Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-8 Related State Symbol: State Tree: Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) Latin Name: Carnegia giganteaYear Adopted: 1931Preferred Hardiness Zones: Zones 9-10 Related State Symbol: State Tree: Palo verde (genus Parkinsonia)...

Strawberry begonias can be planted and cared for indoors during any time of the year and will grow rapidly, allowing you to enjoy their beautiful foliage quite quickly. With the right conditions, the plant may even bloom in the spring, but their flowers are rather inconsequential. Light Strawberry begonia plants prefer bright—but not direct—sunlight. Typically, an east- or west-facing window is perfect. Be careful of letting your plant get any direct rays of sunlight—they can burn the plant and put holes in its leaves....

The only negative experience I have had with this beautiful herb is with intense rainfall, the huge plant can flop apart with the weight of water soaked flowers. Fennel also makes a temporary screen against neighbors who are a bit too curious. Plant it thickly, and your lovely green screen will give you some much-needed privacy. Borage is delicious and fast growing. It fills out with lovely foliage, and then the flowers arrive....

As you would expect from plants native to these regions, they are known for being drought-tolerant and are popular additions in xeric landscaping. Dasylirion texanum, known by the common name Texas Sotol, is smaller than most other species in the genus, with the main plant usually growing to reach around three feet in height. The tall flower stalks that emerge from the foliage, however, can reach up to 15 feet....

Our favorite is the GE 5.0 cu. ft. Capacity Smart Front Load Steam Washer because it is powerful, has a unique ventilation system to eliminate odors, and has the ability to transform into a dryer for small loads. Whether you install a compact or high-capacity model in your house, you will need to get into a regular cleaning routine. Front-loaders can collect mildew and not-so-pleasant smells that can stick to your clothes....

“When buying a hanging chair, someone should first consider where it is going,” says Decorist designer Linzie Merchant. “You also want to consider the structure above where it will be hung.” Our number-one pick is the Bulexyard Egg Chair, a reasonably priced swing-like contraption with a resin frame and fade-resistant cushions. Scroll down for the best hanging chairs currently available. The weather-ready aluminum frame is wrapped in PE (polyethylene) resin, a waterproof and fade-resistant material....

Our favorite is the West Elm Cotton Canvas Pouf, a soft yet sturdy cube with a vintage look that makes a great extra seat or side table. Here are the best poufs for every budget and style. This pouf was crafted with the indoors in mind, so keep it in your living room rather than the backyard. You can choose between soft white or a deep midnight blue, and you can purchase individually or as a set of two—or, just stock up on both....

Our top pick for a gas range is the LG LSGL6335F 6.3 cu. ft. Slide-in Gas Range, which offers smart features plus functions like convection baking and air frying, along with specialized burners, and a large oven capacity. Our favorite electric model is the Samsung NE63A6111SS 6.3 cu. ft. Freestanding Electric Range, which has a 5-burner cooktop and steam-cleaning option. The best induction range is the Frigidaire Gallery FGIH3047VF 5....

Our top pick, the Hudson Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy, is both chic and functional, and it’s the perfect size for storing supplies, books, backstock items, and more. Below, the best utility carts to organize your supplies. Available in both black and white, this cart delivers two convenient, neutral color options. We wish there were a few more shades available, but since black and white options blend with most rooms, we’ll overlook that limitation....

Common Types of Spiders Without Poisonous Bites Common House Spider Achaearanea tepidariorum, also known as the common house spider, is just what the name implies: incredibly common. Also known as the American house spider or the domestic spider, these arachnids are the most regularly seen spiders in all of North America, with sightings ranging from Southern Canada throughout the United States. If you have noticed dirty cobwebs in the corners of your walls, they very well could have been left by a common house spider....

“Boho style is leaning [towards] much more of a mixture of modern with boho-inspired pieces,” says Molly Cody, interior designer and founder of Cody Residential. “Macrame wall hangings and egg chairs, gone! Keeping the variety of textures boho encourages alongside clean, sleek pieces is the route to go moving forward.” It’s true, a white hue and an intricate, tough-to-clean fabric are risky in busy households. What to do if your eye has been on a boucle piece?...

We researched the top side-by-side refrigerators on the market, evaluating capacity, energy efficiency, door design, and overall value. Our best overall pick is the GE GSS25GSHSS, which comes with an ice and water dispenser and flexible shelving and storage solutions, and has a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish. Here are the best side-by-side refrigerators. The stainless steel finish promises to keep little fingerprints at bay, so your family can grab snacks throughout the day without leaving any evidence behind....

Our top pick, the TOTO BT500AR#01 Piedmont 1-Hole Center Bidet, has overflow protection, an easy-to-use deck-mounted faucet, and comes with the required mounting hardware. Here are the best bidets. The Toto BT500AR is a contemporary style of bidet that complements a variety of interior design styles you may want to use in your bathroom. Installation is fairly straightforward: plumbing is routed up through the floor and connects to the base of the bidet....

We researched dozens of outdoor ceiling fans, evaluating ease of installation, light and speed settings, durability, and value. Our best overall pick, the Hampton Bay Mena 54 in. Color Changing Integrated LED Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan, has remote-controlled functionality, a dimmable LED light, and screw-free magnetic installation. Here are the best outdoor ceiling fans. What do buyers say? 400+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. If easy installation coupled with elegance is your jam, the 54-inch Mena Fan from Hampton Bay should perk up your outdoor setting....

We researched and tested top alarm clocks, evaluating their design, ease of setup, audio and light quality, features, and overall value. Our best overall pick is the Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light for its many features that help you unwind and wake up peacefully. Here are the best alarm clocks on the market today. The Philips HF3520/60 SmartSleep Wake-up Light offers a relaxing way to wind down at night and wake up gently....

We spent hours researching the most popular grout removal tools, evaluating ease of use, effectiveness, and value. For quick and relatively easy grout removal, it’s hard to beat the Dremel MM500 1/8-inch grout blade attachment for the Multi-Max tool. Here are the best grout removal tools for your next project. Many DIYers and crafts-enthusiasts already have a Dremel Multi-Max, which is a small oscillating power tool designed to hold a wide variety of different types of attachments for cutting, grinding, sanding, and various other workshop needs....

Our top pick is the Whirlpool 15 in. 50 lb. Built-In Ice Maker, which can be built into cabinetry or left freestanding. It produces a whopping 50 pounds of ice per day. Here are the best home ice makers to add to your kitchen, pantry, or man cave. This 15-inch ice maker can produce up to 50 pounds of ice per day so whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or filling up multiple coolers, you won’t run out of ice....