Posts

If you are a pet owner, you may love your beloved furry family member to pieces, but one of the annoyances that comes with owning a pet are accidents or messes left around the house, including hairballs and potty accidents on the carpet, couch, and other hard-to-clean surfaces. Learn more about how the Bissell Spotbot Pet saved our furniture. Performance: Automatic or manual mode The “Spotbot” name is a great description of how the Bissell Spotbot Pet works....

The eco-conscious cleaning supply company Blueland solves a problem with its products by reducing plastic bottle waste and using environmentally friendly ingredients. According to the startup, 90 percent of our drinking water contains toxic microplastics. And if humans continue their plastic-loving habits, the ocean could be filled with more plastic than fish by 2050, as noted in a 2016 report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and World Economic Forum. Countless horrifying scenes of polluted oceans and natural habitats have burned images into my mind, enough that I now avoid buying shrink-wrapped produce, cheap plastic toys, or toxic products that can eventually end up in our drinking water....

Sometimes, it’s very easy to see how a plant got its common name. While the canary creeper has yellow flowers that resemble a canary’s feathered wings, the real reason for its name is that the canary creeper vine is native to the Canary Islands. Best planted in spring after any chance of frost has passed, the vine will grow quickly and can add up to 10 to 12 feet in length in just one year....

Houseplants help purify the air, removing potentially harmful chemicals and pollutantsPotted plants increase the humidity level of the bedroom, soothing parched sinuses, skin, eyes, and throatsPlants release oxygen, improving the quality of your bedroom airCaring for plants has been shown to reduce stress and increase happinessTending to plants reduces healing time But wait—as if all of those benefits weren’t enough, many plants go above and beyond, adding striking color, shape, and pattern with foliage that goes way past basic green....

Structural Colors There are many ways to change the color of concrete, and one of the best is to add the color structurally—before the concrete is poured. When installing a new concrete floor, then there are a couple of options you have for adding the color directly into the structure of the material. Color hardeners and integral pigments can both be mixed into the concrete before it is placed. These allow you to achieve dramatic pattern effects on the surface of the material....

Concrete pavers are made with a dry concrete mix containing cement, sand, gravel, and pigments. During manufacture, the wet mix is poured into molds of various shapes and sizes, which are vibrated to compress the concrete before it is allowed to cure. The resulting pavers are capable of withstanding at least 8,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, compared to about 3,000 pounds per square inch of pressure with standard poured concrete....

Growing Conditions Light: Rebutia thrives in bright light and range of conditions. Many species can be grown in partial shade to full sun. However, as these are mountain species, they do not appreciate high temperatures, which should be avoided. Water: Throughout the growing season (spring and summer) let the potting soil almost completely dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly. In winter, cut back watering. Soil: A rich, fast-draining cactus mix is ideal....

But just because something isn’t easy doesn’t mean it isn’t entirely doable. In fact, pink and red can be incredibly chic and energetic complements to virtually any aesthetic, you just need to know how to apply ‘em. Whether you’re decorating for a V-Day party, a romantic night, or you simply want to add a pop of rich color to your design, the following ideas will show you exactly how to do it in style....

But using pine needles in the garden does not, in fact, appreciably lower the pH and acidify your soil. So you don’t have to worry about them having a negative impact on plants that don’t like acidic soil. The converse is also true: You can’t use pine needles to make the soil more acidic for plants that do like acidic soil. Let’s find out why, and, having dispelled the myth, learn the benefits of pine needles for the garden....

Plant experts have seen it time and again. What is hot today (monsteras, anyone?) could just easily be forgotten tomorrow. Sonya Harris is the founder and CEO of New Jersey’s The Bullock Garden Project Inc. and a Master Gardener. And she has noticed a definite plant pattern. “There are so many plants that cycle in and out for various reasons. I know so many people became houseplant & garden enthusiasts last year who are now not as keen, due to upkeep....

This door trim combination is super-easy to install. Downside: these trim pieces, though plentiful, still tend to be rather costly. How To Duplicate This Door Trim Idea Two rosette blocks.Two plinth blocks.Three fluted casings. You can purchase door packs from distributors such as the House of Fara. The third casing above the door will be shorter and will fit most door widths. This Colonial-style door trim is broad and flat with little embellishment and is mitered at the corners....

Apply Light Coats While it might be tempting to try to get as much paint as you can on the wall at once, using thinner coats will help your paint dry faster. Using multiple coats also looks better than having one really thick one because it tends to give a more uniform appearance. Remember, you don’t have to wait for your first coat to fully dry before adding a second layer if it’s needed....

Even though you may want to build any kind of fence anywhere, at any height, and at any position to the property line, chances are good that in your area you cannot do this. Laws are enacted to protect the visual texture of your area and to keep neighbors in a civil and neighborly mood with each other. Fence Building Laws and Your Home To keep peace, fence building laws have been important for many years....

When using feng shui to improve your qi (life force energy), it’s helpful to overlay the feng shui Bagua map over your entire home to determine where the bedrooms are. This can give you insight into the best bedroom location for the members of your household. The bedroom Bagua location also offers a perspective on how to decorate your bedroom with consideration to the overall energy of the home....

I make it a priority in my home to reduce plastic and landfill waste when I can, and I’m always on the hunt for good alternatives to household items that get a lot of use, like plastic snack bags and paper towels. For cleaning my kitchen countertops, tabletops, pots, and pans I’ve already swapped out paper towels for cloth sponges—but I end up tossing them out every few weeks (or even less) when they get smelly....

There are many different methods for pressing flowers and the four simple-to-follow ways below require simple supplies you likely already have at home. Keep reading to find out what the best flowers to press are, when is the right time to pick them, and how to correctly press them for the best results. Press Flowers Using a Book One of the simplest, most inexpensive yet also highly effective ways of pressing flowers is using one single item you most definitely already have in your home—a book!...

But if it’s time to pick out an entirely new entryway, there are plenty of front door ideas. The type of exterior door best for you depends on your house’s design and your personal preference. Here are popular front door styles and some of the best front door trends to consider, whether you’re into a rustic, farmhouse-inspired look or searching for something more modern. Types of Front Door Materials How do you choose a front door style?...

Here are seven garden shrubs with red berries. USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9, cold and heat tolerantBerries: Edible to birds, mildly toxic to humans, cats, dogsSun Exposure: Partial sun to full sunSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained slightly acidic soilMature Size: 3’ to 5’ tall and wide USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 5 (very cold hardy)Berries: EdibleSun Exposure: Morning sun, afternoon shadeSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained soil with added compostMature Size: 3’ to 5’ tall...