Paintings and sculptures in the Baroque style became integral aspects of buildings in Italy and throughout Western Europe. In effect, architects viewed structures like churches as large sculptures as opposed to a box with squared-off walls and traditional building forms. History Baroque architecture started in Italy. In general, Baroque architecture evolved in response to a tumultuous period that began in the 16th century. Those in power wanted to use architecture and art as a way to exhibit strength, wealth, and prominence....

Ranch-style homes have gone through periods of popularity over the last century, but have retained many of their original architectural elements. Read on to learn more about the history of ranch homes, their rise in popularity in America, and the building and design characteristics unique to ranches. The History of Ranch Architecture First popping up in the 1920s, ranch-style homes became extremely popular with post-war middle class families and remained popular from the 1940s through 1970s....

Over the many decades that electricity has been powering homes, these parallel wires have been bundled and separated in several different ways. The most common and efficient way of creating this separated-wire bundle for residential applications is with NM sheathed cable, such as the popular Romex brand. Romex is such a popular brand that is has become a somewhat generic term, often used to describe any and all brands of NM cable....

Below are the most common kitchen counter items and which category they fall into: Store on your countertopsMaybe store on your countertopsDon’t store on your countertops What to Store on Your Counter Your kitchen counter space should be reserved for items you use frequently. This is the space to store small appliances you use daily, as well as containers of kitchen staples (unless you store these in a pantry), and paper towels....

Your growing zone and the type of turfgrass that makes up your lawn determine when to reseed with good results. Summertime high temperatures and humidity, potential drought, and increased traffic all are damaging to turfgrasses. A number of diseases as well as insect activity cause unsightly brown and dead spots and open these areas up to encroaching weeds. To a lesser extent, freezing temperatures can damage and kill off grass that has not established a strong root system and this results in the same dead spots in the lawn....

Imagining your room’s intended paint color with an online paint visualizer is valuable and fun but a bit of the realism is lost. Paint colors on a screen look different from paint colors on a wall. Not to mention, rooms depicted on the online visualizers look nothing like those in your own home and uploading your room photos never seems to turn out well. Applying liquid paint samples or affixing paint swatches to your walls—in addition to using online visualizers—is the best way to ensure that a paint really will work for you....

Winter: The blades should turn clockwise to circulate warm air.Summer: The blades should turn counterclockwise to create a breeze effect by moving or circulating the air better during hot weather. Ceiling Fan Direction in the Summer To help produce a comfortable breeze or “wind chill” that cools the skin, blades should rotate in a reverse, or counterclockwise, motion. The air movement has the same comfortable effect as when you fan yourself with a magazine to get relief from hot, stifling air....

With World Market’s Bloom Shop, it’s so easy to add the sights and smells of spring to your home. From candles and scent diffusers, to decorative vases and faux florals, it’s your one-stop shop for giving your home a much-needed spring refresh.

Light This tropical plant appreciates several hours of bright, indirect sunlight. If you have a north- or east-facing window, position your zebrina directly in front of it to maximize the light it is receiving. If you have a west- or south-facing window, set the plant back from the window by a couple of feet to avoid any harsh direct sunbeams. You can also filter direct light with a sheer curtain or window film....

To help you sift through the best picks available, we did the legwork for you and have rounded up our all time favorites. Read on to view 10 fabulous wallet-friendly coffee tables that you’ll be able to add to your online shopping cart today. Whether your style is traditional, modern, midcentury, or something else entirely, we’re sure you’ll fall for at least one of the coffee tables below.

Most DIYers have at least one drill around the home for various tasks, like hanging a TV or running wires. You can find full drills that are designed specifically for making circular holes through or into different materials, but a combination drill/driver may be more beneficial for a DIYer. These combination tools can be used as a standard drill or put on a different setting when you are working with fasteners....

Bored of blah accents? Swap out (or refurbish) existing hardware for something a bit more statement-making. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to upgrade even the plainest of pieces (well that, and perhaps a fresh coat of paint). Consider sprucing up a snoozy nightstand with vintage crystal knobs or add polish to a humdrum dresser with luxe leather pulls. And these versatile accessories can just as easily bring a room together....

Built-in shelves that extend from floor to ceiling are a great way to add storage, interest, and visual space to a bedroom, but unfortunately, they aren’t an option for everyone. An easy alternative is investing in a tall headboard and hanging artwork or other decor above the bed, taking up the full extent of the space. Instead, choose a bed size that allows you to fit at least one or two nightstands large enough to hold their own beside the mattress, like the bedroom shown here....

Several garden plants fare well alongside these vigorous vines and make great companion plants for cucumbers. You’ll find it’s usually easiest to grow plants with similar care instructions, such as light, soil, water, and sun requirements. Some similar growing companions may include plants like tomatoes, zucchini, or squash. However, one thing to be careful of with similar-growing plants like cucumbers and tomatoes is they can sometimes fall prone to the same diseases, like mosaic virus or blight, which can spread easily if they’re near each other....

Here are 13 simple and cost-effective ways to stay warm.

Stain Resistance Soapstone is good for a kitchen counter for many reasons, but most important, it’s low-maintenance. Unlike other types of stone surfaces like granite or marble, soapstone does not need a sealer because it is nonporous, which makes it stain-resistant as well as naturally antimicrobial. Though quartz is antimicrobial, it’s not the best heat-resistant material, so if you tend to forget the trivet, soapstone may be your best bet....

Here are 15 of the best drought-tolerant plants. During the summer months, most aloe plants require watering roughly every other week unless you’ve had rainfall. And during the winter, the combination of cooler temperatures and rainfall usually provides enough water for them to survive without supplemental watering. If you have a potted aloe plant, allow the soil to completely dry out in between waterings. Aloe will begin to shrivel and rot if it’s sitting in soggy soil, so make sure to use a well-draining potting mix and a pot with adequate drainage holes....