A palette is one of the first things I notice when I walk into a home. It’s a fascinating subject because the wrong palette, or blend of colors, can really disrupt a living space, yet the ideal palette is different for everyone. On virtually every job, I am asked, “How do I figure out which […]
When you move into a home, you probably have a budget in mind for the mortgage, taxes, insurance and other costs associated with homeownership. When budgeting, remember the utilities. If you are moving from an apartment or even a smaller house into a larger home, expect the costs of your utilities to grow. The vital […]
Distance requirements for water heater setup are based on safety. As an example, the minimum distance in the ground is intended to prevent fires and explosions if a flammable material is spilled on the ground near the water heater. This condition applies to gasoline components, not electrical ones, because gasoline requires a flame along with […]
All trees go through a reproductive cycle leading to seed pods, fruit or nuts. The balls on the tops of palm trees are the consequence of a palm tree’s healthy reproductive cycle, or even its fruits. The vast majority of these fruits are edible, with coconuts and dates among the most commonly known. Depending on […]
Dwarf Granny Smith apples (Malus domestica “Granny Smith”), which develop in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, produce green, crisp and tart fruit perfect for baking and salads. Nearly all apples (Malus spp.) Need cross-pollinating to keep fruit. Even those that are labelled as self-fruitful set bigger, better fruit when cross-pollinated. […]
Silver-plated forks along with other silver flatware are vulnerable to tarnish, spotting and pitting if they are incorrectly treated and washed. Take extra care if you are washing silver-plated flatware in a microwave or you could wind up damaging it. Independent the Metals Never wash silver-plated flatware with stainless-steel flatware in precisely the same dishwasher […]
The struggle for gardening space in small yards has led to a surge of interest in vertical growing techniques, including the frequent practice of planting and growing tomatoes and cucumbers upside down. This space-saving technique also eliminates common pest problems found in garden soil and provides superior drainage, air flow and sunlight. Buckets and bags […]
Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) are popular with home growers for their thick skins, big seeds and distinct musky-flavored pulp. Hardy at U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10, the muscadine grape has been the first native grape variety to be cultivated in the United States. Although in the past the production of […]
Unsealed grout in an exposed area of this ground may absorb water and wick it into grout concealed under an installed cupboard. This can make an environment for mold and mildew underneath the cupboard. Sealing the grout on the entire floor, including the place in which the cupboard will be positioned, with a commercial grout […]
When shopping for a painting, size is almost as significant as the composition of this piece. A badly sized painting can either beat a room or permit the room to conquer the artwork, neither of which is aesthetically pleasing. For many, art is both a fire and an investment, and when it comes to the […]