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Local Ordinances Many towns, municipalities, and even some neighborhoods have rules and regulations about outdoor clotheslines. To some, clotheslines are considered eyesores that lower property value. Other areas allow home clotheslines if they’re hidden from the street, but that doesn’t mean that no one will complain about seeing your underwear flapping in the breeze. Disobey these rules, and you could be looking at a costly fine from your homeowner’s association or city....

But what if updating your bedroom, and specifically the place you spend most of your time—your bed—didn’t have to come with a hefty price tag? From designing hacks and shopping tips to items you didn’t know you needed, here’s what the experts have to say about creating luxury on a budget. “I recommend opting for monochromatic tones with fewer colors or patterns, resulting in a more zen effect,” shares Anki Spets, founder of AREA Home, “There are plenty of beautiful shades of grey and beige that are perfect for this....

There are so many fantastic items that can sit on top of a desk or hide in its drawers. It’s easy for any work from home space to become a personal treasure trove. On my own desk, I have a balance of things that are functional and keep me (semi) organized and things that contribute to my WFH wellness and personal interests. Below are a handful of those items and a few reasons why you might even want them on your desk, too....

Overview Color Family: Neutrals and many warm tones Complementary Colors: Varies, depending on undertones Pairs Well With: Varies, but includes white and off-white trim and cabinetry, grays, and blues Mood: Coastal, breezy, and relaxed Where to Use: Walls, accent walls, floors, porches, front doors Here are our nine picks for the best Cape Cod-inspired paint colors. Determine how much paint you need with The Spruce’s Paint Calculator.

Here are nine of the best types of fruit to grow in your very own fruit garden, better known as an orchard. October is a great month to start a garden with blueberries since they are best planted in the spring or fall. If you wait until the fall, you may score good end-of-season sales on bushes, possibly as early as September. In cold winter climates, grow highbush blueberries, such as the ‘Bluecrop’ cultivar....

We considered dozens of pergola kits, evaluating each on ease of assembly, sturdiness, added features, and value. A great pergola will be able to stand up to wind and rain, while creating a new, dramatic space in your backyard for grilling, entertaining, or just relaxing. A pergola is a romantic space, whether you use for growing honeysuckle or dinner parties. Our best overall pick is the Backyard Discovery 12’ by 10’ Cedar Pergola which features a classic style, thoughtful design details, and extra-strength hardware for added sturdiness....

The best way to reduce the growth of mildew and more toxic molds is to decrease humidity by increasing air circulation. The bathroom vent should be run for at least 20 minutes after a steamy shower. Allow towels and shower curtains to dry completely and as quickly as possible after every use. Door knobs, light switches, and faucet handles can be covered with body soil, mold, yeast, and bacteria like E....

But wait until a frosty night breathes life into these cruciferous lovelies. Bright pink, frosty white, and moody purple tones appear on leaves that grow ever larger as the plants mature, giving hostas a run for their money when it comes to winsome foliage. Leaves are often deeply ruffled, giving each plant the effect of a single, giant frost-proof blossom. Best of all, ornamental cabbages and kales are a piece of cake for a first-time gardener to grow, requiring nothing more than a sunny site and a shovelful of compost to get them off to a healthy start....

We spoke with Bobby Berk, interior designer and star of Netflix’s Queer Eye, on how to properly use a rug to create a fab space. Measure Before You Buy “Generally speaking, a lot of people will go too small with their rug choice,” Berk said via email. “You don’t necessarily need to fill the entire room with a rug, but you will want to accommodate any furniture and make sure things work scale-wise....

Remember, just because a pesticide is organic doesn’t mean it does no harm. Always follow the label directions and keep in mind that more is not better, even with organic products. Keep a close eye on your garden and try to catch problems early. If you practice good integrated pest management, with a wide range of plants, good growing conditions, natural predators, like birds and beneficial insects and healthy soil, you should not need to reach for a spray very often....

And for every plant person, that collection of things could be totally different. Most plant caddies will house some planting supplies like a small watering can, trowel, moisture meter, and maybe some old nursery pots. But the beauty of the plant caddy is that they’re completely customizable. It makes caring for your indoor garden so much easier. Each day, when you have plants to water, you can easily grab what you need, without searching through cabinets and storage containers....

Both male and female birds can have a basal knob, though in some species the females do not have a basal knob. About the Basal Knob While the exact purpose of basal knobs is unknown, they may serve as an indicator of health or sexual maturity, particularly during the mating season when some knobs become larger or may take on different colors with breeding plumage. These knobs can also be a good field mark for proper species identification, and in some cases, may be considered diagnostic markings....

To identify a mature, breeding male American goldfinch look for… Photo – Breeding Male American Goldfinch © Jen Goellnitz Photo – Female American Goldfinch © colleen Photo – American Goldfinch in Winter © Putneypics The changes an American goldfinch goes through seasonally as its plumage varies can make even this common bird confusing to identify, but knowing its key field marks and understanding the changes it goes through can help you feel confident whenever these small birds are in your field of view....

Native to North America, this variety (Wisteria frutescens) can still reach up to 30 feet in height and width, showering any nearby structure in clusters of mesmerizing blue flowers. However, you may have to wait five or six years for the vine to mature and produce flowers. It has pinnate, shiny, dark leaves and pea-like flowers that hang in clusters about 5 to 6 inches long. After flowering, American wisteria creates smooth, bean-like seed pods....

Why Birds Get Angry Birds get angry for many reasons, all of which are linked to their survival. The degree of anger and what makes birds upset can vary by season and by what local resources the bird has available, but the most common reasons for angry birds include the following: Territory Invasion: Birds have different needs for territory and individual space, but when they feel their space invaded or disrupted, they can become very angry....

The foliage of Abies balsamea is comprised of blue-green, dense needles with silver-white bands underneath. This tree has an overall conical shape. They produce 2 to 4 inch long cones that stand straight up from the foliage. These start out a beautiful purple color and mature into a gray-brown tone. The seeds and buds are used as food by a wide variety of wildlife. However, these trees are considered mildly toxic to humans and pets....

Summer flowering bushes can revitalize any garden. Here are 17 shrubs that bloom in summer or last through the start of fall. USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9 (USDA)Flower Color Varieties: Pinkish redLight: Full sunSoil Needs: Well-drainingMature Size: 3-4 ft. tall and wideDeer Resistant: Yes USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 (USDA)Flower Color Varieties: Purple, pink, blue, white, yellowLight: Full sunSoil Needs: Well-drained soilMature Size: 4 to 12 feet tall; 3- to 8-foot spreadDeer Resistant: Yes...