Light The sourwood spends most of its time in the understory of the forests, draped in the shade of huge canopy trees like oaks and maples. Because of this, it is adaptable to various light conditions which makes it incredible versatile as invaluable in ornamental horticulture. It will have a slight fall off in fall color and blossoms as a result of not receiving full sun but will still be stunning....
In fact, said confusion is partly responsible for the difficulty you may have in purchasing it. Establishments in your area that sell stone, landscape supplies, etc. may not sell a product that goes specifically by the name of “stone dust” but may carry a suitable product that is similar but that goes by a different name. So before discussing where to buy stone dust, let’s take a closer look at just what stone dust is because it is an important building material....
Though, before you make any purchases, we always recommend taking stock of what you have, and what your preferences and priorities tend to be when it comes to gift wrapping and organization. Do you need sturdy and reliable protection for delicate bows and handmade tags? Or, do you value easy access and plenty of space for dozens of wrapping paper rolls? Do you always lose tape and scissors and dream of having them in an easy-to-find and easy-to-reach spot?...
With buying tips from multiple designers in mind, we researched options of various sizes with functional features. Our top choice is Pottery Barn’s Pacific Desk, a durable, two-drawer workstation with a minimalist-modern aesthetic. Scroll down for the best home office desks. It has an oak wood veneer, and all sides are finished in a uniform color, allowing you to place it anywhere in your home office, even with the back exposed....
After copious research–considering the overall aesthetic, durability, and functionality–of makeup vanities, our editorial team found that the West Elm Mid-Century Vanity Desk Set is the best on the market. The modern design is sleek and sophisticated, never feeling fussy or throwing off the balance of your space. Not to mention the expert craftsmanship used to create this piece means it will last for years to come. Our editors love the large mirror, which sits at the perfect height for universal appeal....
Whether you love a glam look or want to create a calming oasis, there are several retailers that make it easy to find the perfect pieces to finish your space. From vintage to modern and everything in between, we researched the best places to buy home decor and evaluated them based on their affordability, delivery options, inventory size, aesthetics, and business practices. Our top picks include direct-to-consumer model Parachute, contemporary and stylish CB2, and Wayfair, which has a diverse range of products at a friendly price, Here, the best places to buy home decor....
Luckily, there are hundreds of LGBTQ+ businesses to support, ranging home decor and furniture to novelty shirts and accessories. Our favorites include a rainbow candle to commemorate the Stonewall riots from Gibson & Dehn, an abstract throw blanket from Minna, and a quirky ceramic hanging pot from Lockwood. Here, the best Pride gifts from LGBTQ-owned businesses.
With that in mind, we tested 30 robot vacuums in The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, to see how top picks performed in real life and selected our favorites based on each vacuum’s ease of setup, effectiveness, features, noise level, maneuverability, and overall value. We also sent our top picks to home testers to evaluate smart functionality and long-term performance. Our top choice, the ECOVACS DEEBOT N8+ Laser Mapping Vacuum and Robot Mop with Self-Empty, is simple to set up and incredibly effective at sucking up pet hair and debris, and it was able to smart map our testing area in a cinch....
And while you might think of recliners as a clunky eyesore, today, you’ll find a number of options that are sleek and contemporary. “There are a couple of pieces that are really good looking with contemporary lines,” says Jeanine Turner with Turner Design Firm, which specializes in organic, contemporary design. Our top pick, the Homall Recliner Chair, is a great value, works with modern and traditional decor, cleans with just a wipe, and reclines in multiple positions....
Coleman Cosby, a project manager and landscape design specialist at Yardzen, an online landscape and design company, recommends, “If you’ve been using a regular drill to drive screws, do yourself a favor and invest in an impact driver. These powerful tools save a lot of wear and tear on your hands and wrists and make it much faster to drive multiple screws. For most general purposes, a cordless impact driver with a ¼-inch chuck will work great....
We researched the best mulches available online, evaluating durability, composition type, and value. Our best overall pick, the Texas Native All-Natural Hardwood Mulch, is all-natural, provides excellent moisture retention, and has a rich color that won’t fade over time. Here are the best mulches. For those who prefer a more striking colorized option, Texas Native mulch does come in an EPA-approved, black-dyed option. Either option makes an attractive addition to your garden, yard, or landscaping....
We researched dozens of bathroom lighting options, ranking them on brightness, style, adjustability, sturdiness, and ease of installation. Our best overall pick is the Progress Lighting 3-Light Antique Bronze Bathroom Vanity Light, which offers a simple and versatile design, includes installation hardware, and comes in multiple finishes. Here are the best bathroom lighting fixtures. When shopping for a bathroom light fixture, you’ll want to consider the versatility of both its look and functionality....
“A majority of a house’s total energy use comes from appliances that maintain heating and cooling,” says Sarah Jameson, marketing director of Green Building Elements. “However, a programmable thermostat on a preset schedule for heating and cooling can help reduce the cost of your electricity bill while keeping your home at optimum temperature.” We researched dozens of thermostats and looked at compatibility with different HVAC systems, programming options, ease of installation and use, and extra features to find the best ones....
Use Your Space Look at the entrances to the room. Do you have doors? Do they open in or out? If they open in, you will need to allow room for those to open fully. Do you use the room as a pathway to another room? Is the room a destination room? In other words, is the room one that people go to or go through? If they go through, you need an easily navigable pathway from one room to another....
There are many different ways to work with feng shui concepts in your dining room. One of the simplest and most impactful ways you can start to do this is by bringing in certain colors with intention. As humans, most of us are very influenced by what we can see in our environments, and color has a strong effect on how we feel and the energy of a space. In feng shui, different colors are connected to different types of energy, elements, and the feng shui bagua map which looks at different areas of your life....
Whether you’re deciding between a wood stove versus a pellet stove, choosing a solo stove, or buying a gas stove, there are several ways to get a great deal. You may not always have a choice in the timing of this purchase, but some months, days of the month, and even days of the week are the best times to buy a stove. The Best Months to Purchase a Stove If you’re deciding when you should get a new stove, it’s best to plan your purchase before new models hit the sales floor each winter....
When researching the best tomato cages, we evaluated products for their shape, size, durability, materials, and assembly requirements. The Growneer Tomato Garden Cages are our top overall pick because of their adjustable height, versatile configuration, and helpful accessories. Here are the best tomato cages for your garden. The green color blends in seamlessly with the plants, creating a natural aesthetic in your garden. These cages are easy to assemble, with help from the included instruction pamphlet, and require no tools or assistance....
Comfortable sheets are important for a good night’s sleep. Mellanni Fine Linens states “sleeping well shouldn’t be a luxury” and seeks to fill the gap of providing quality bedding at affordable prices. We tested the Mellanni 100 percent Cotton Bed Sheet Set for durability, breathability, and comfort. Read on to see if they live up to the hype. Material: 100 percent cotton comfort Made with all-natural fibers, 100 percent cotton sheets are prized for being lightweight, breathable, and comfortable....
In addition to feeling nice to walk, sit and lay on, carpet provides shock absorption thanks to its flexibility and cushioning. This effect is increased dramatically if there is underpad beneath the carpet. So, not only is carpet more comfortable to the touch, but it is also easier on the body when standing or walking on it over a long period of time. Reducing heat loss means that carpet can help you save on the costs associated with heating a home, such as electricity or natural gas....
But sometimes you come across something new that actually works. This is why the so-called seashell method painting hack by TikToker and pro painter, @kdcares1, is all the rage right now. Here is everything you need to know about this painting hack, how and why to do it, and the ups and downsides, according to painting gurus and your resident DIYer. What Is the Seashell Painting Method? As the name suggests, the seashell painting trick is all about the placement of the brush and the shape of the bristles....
