Drama in the Kitchen Whatever style you love, any kitchen can use a little drama. Not the plate-throwing, foot-stamping, drama, but a detail or two that elevates your kitchen’s style. The most obvious way to add glamour and drama to your kitchen is with a light fixture. Choose lighting for your kitchen as you would jewelry for your wardrobe. The idea is to add a touch of sparkle to your kitchen while making sure that the space is lighted properly....
Select a Broody Breed The broody trait is something that hens either have or they don’t. If you are committed to raising chicks naturally, select a breed like Buff Orpingtons that have a high level of broodiness. Still, not every Buff Orpington will go broody, so you have to sit and wait until it’s time (no pun intended). And when that day comes, your broody hen will sit, all day, in the nesting box in a trance-like state—she’ll hiss, growl, and peck at you if you try to remove her....
We spoke with nine designers to get the skinny on their favorite recent purchases for their own spaces—and their answers ranged the gamut from practical bedroom lighting to a bathtub fit for a queen!
There are fixes for every budget and every taste and style to consider. Here are 10 before-and-after makeovers for living room spaces that were ready for a change. After: Crisp and Organized The star of this living room makeover is the ventless fireplace, providing a visual anchor to prevent the eye from wandering upward and away. Books on the fireplace’s built-in shelf are fitted with bright, solid-color dust jackets, encouraging the eye to focus on the fireplace area....
But decorating your home need not be a frustrating or time-consuming process. To avoid regrets over your next flat-packed furniture purchase from the Swedish giant, here are some tips for buying and assembling IKEA furniture. To anticipate when a given product might be above your skill level: To make the assembling process easier, IKEA has created how-to videos for eight of their best sellers, which includes the PAX wardrobe, MASKROS pendant lamp, and HEMNES desk....
Carson Kressley’s ‘Equestriana’ Collection The Roadshow appraisal experts joined the Get a Room With Carson and Thom co-host / former Queer Eye personality at his family horse farm in Pennsylvania to look over some of his family heirlooms. Kressley’s family had been there since the 1700s and collected lots of horse memorabilia over the years. Most notably was his horse-riding gear formerly owned by Jackie Kennedy. Kressley paid $400 for two halters and a horse blanket....
Unlike some home projects that universally require permits—such as electrical, plumbing, and structural—permitting for fence construction is rarely the same everywhere. In some places, no permit or notification is needed. Or if permitting is required, the permit might be as simple as a one-page application or online notice. In other places, you might need to supply sketches, plans, photographs, and fees along with the permit application. Fence Permit Requirements Are Local Fence permitting requirements are not universal....
1. They Require More Upkeep There’s a price to pay to maintain your shelves’ beauty. “Inevitably, when you leave items out in the open, they will collect dust and whatever else life decides to throw your way—dog hair is a consummate favorite in our home,” says designer Monique Wright of Monique Wright Interior Design. “This means more dusting, cleaning and general upkeep.” So if you’re a resistant cleaner, aren’t home often, or simply can’t imagine adding one more chore to your to-do list, you may wish to hold off on open shelving for the time being....
The apple scab fungus thrives in areas with lots of rain and high humidity, and during a warm, wet spring. Because there is no treatment for infected trees, early identification and prevention are crucial for its control. How to Identify Apple scab Trees can get infected with apple scab any time during the growing season. Depending on when a tree is infected, the symptoms are different. The first signs of apple scab occur on the underside of leaves: dull, olive-green round spots, often along the leaf veins and on the leaves closest to the buds....
What Is Cracked Corn? Cracked corn is exactly what it sounds like: corn kernels that have been dried and cracked into pieces that are easier for birds to eat than unbroken kernels. The size of grains can vary depending on what type of grinder is used to crack the corn, but coarse grinding is preferred for small backyard birds. While the dry corn can create a significant amount of dust, it will not grow or sprout and can be a good no-waste bird food for cleaner backyard bird feeding....
How to Liven up the Party With Topic Ideas Even with a comfortable group, it doesn’t hurt to introduce a new topic of conversation to liven up the party. That’s why many hosts find it helpful to choose a few topics of conversation to make it a bit easier for guests to chat it up. You, as host, can introduce a topic to the group once everyone has arrived at your party....
Money is the lifeblood of your home remodel. It’s there at the beginning in the form of a deposit, and it shows up again at the end, as a final payment. And all throughout the process, you’ll have more payments to make, plus a few you didn’t expect. From liquid assets to home equity and sweat equity—along with a few little-known sources of home improvement money—learn the best ways to finance your home remodel....
Why Birds Use Courtship Rituals The ultimate purpose of courtship is to attract a receptive mate, but there are several other purposes behind the courtship behavior of different bird species. The intricate moves of a mating dance and the charming songs used to woo partners can help distinguish species, so birds are sure to choose genetically compatible mates. Different courtship behaviors also reduce territorial aggression, letting two birds relax to form a pair bond....
Slow-growing and very long-lived, this tree can be found in the rocky, infertile, dry, slopey, desert landscapes around California where other plants don’t survive. These regions still have mild winters and the trees store up their moisture during this season. As the tree matures, the trunk becomes misshapen and forked, and the thin bark has a gray hue and shredding quality. The distinctive blue-gray foliage stands out in any garden....
Five Reasons Why Lightbulbs Burn Out Quickly No lightbulb lasts forever—not even the high-end LED bulbs that are sometimes touted as “decade” bulbs. But if your bulbs burn out suspiciously fast, look for one of these conditions as a likely cause. Bad Lightbulb Socket Fixture socket problems can lessen the service time of lightbulbs. The light fixture or lamp may have a loose electrical connection, loose contacts, or a damaged contact in the socket base itself....
