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Choose the Right Shrub Pick the Perfect Bush for Your Soil, Zone and Yard

There are so many options available in bushes and shrubs to add beauty and value to your home, the choice can be a bit overwhelming, even for the experienced gardener. The best place to start is by learning what your USDA hardiness zone is. Each zone will tell you the average coolest temperature for the region where you live; the United States is divided int ... Read More »

Bedroom Lighting 101

What kind of lighting you need in your bedroom depends on what you're doing there at any given moment. While sleeping may be your No. 1 priority, there are times when you definitely say, "Let there be light." For those times, consider your activity. The bedroom is primarily a room of relaxation but that's not all you do. What you need to do is find a balance ... Read More »

Choose Bed Frames

You may not have thought much about your bed frame before. After all, mattresses and bed linens usually attract the most attention. Choosing the right bed frame is important, not only for a good night's sleep but also to enhance your bedroom's decor. The bed frame selection should not be an afterthought. When you choose bed frames, there are two main areas t ... Read More »

Give Yourself a Manly Man Makeover

Masculine decorating is about more than the stereotypical beer signs and animal heads. Much has been made lately of creating "man caves" for men to hide out in, drink beer and watch the game with friends. But what about creating interior spaces that are both manly and mature? It is possible to design a room or an entire home that reflects a masculine sensibi ... Read More »

Turn Your Balcony Into a Retreat

A crispy fern flanked by a flapping towel and a bike with two flat tires—sound like a balcony near you? As close as your own French doors, perhaps? If what you really want is a cozy place to barbecue, or an enchanted and enchanting retreat—no problem. With just the tiniest bit of attention and effort, you can transform even a swath of bleak and cheerless con ... Read More »

Feeding Your Lawn and Landscape Plants

Need to go green or need to get more growth? You can get either or both, depending on what nutrients you feed your lawn and plants. Here are the three major considerations in selecting a fertilizer: The analysis. This indicates the percentage (by weight) of the three major nutrients in a fertilizer: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The analysis is printed ... Read More »

Caring For Your Deck

Wood decks can be a center of relaxation and comfort for their owners. A place where they can while away the afternoon or weekend in peace. A place where they can set up deck chairs or a table and sip drinks as the day lazily passes, or munch on barbecue fresh from the grill. In order to provide years of necessary comfort, wood decks require you do a little ... Read More »

Refurbish Your Cabinets

Do you want a kitchen facelift but do not want to spend a fortune? If the answer is yes, you may want to consider refurbishing your cabinets. Cabinet refurbishment is one of the fastest and least expensive means of altering your kitchen's appearance. In addition to setting you back only a fraction of what you would spend on replacement cabinets, refinished c ... Read More »

Choose Bathroom Accessories

You can always count on your bathroom to get its fair share of foot traffic, especially if it is located in a central area of your home or if it is your only facility. Don't forget to spend time decorating this room as you would any other in your home. Choosing bathroom decor to enhance the look of the room and add your personal style is an important step in ... Read More »

Make Over Your Appliances

An old and drab refrigerator can make a whole kitchen look old and drab. Or maybe you've wanted to remodel your kitchen but simply can't afford to do it. Remodeling can be cost-prohibitive, especially if you buy new appliances. But believe it or not, for less than a few hundred dollars, you can repaint old appliances yourself and give your kitchen a brand ne ... Read More »