When to Prune American hornbeam, and How Far Back You Can Cut
Prune American hornbeam in early summer, once the first flush of spring growth has hardened off and stopped stretching.
Foundations and Basements: Almost Everything Here Is Water
Foundation and basement problems, from cracks to musty smells, are almost always caused by water, and every fix starts with checking drainage outside before anything indoors, plus a radon test.
The Kitchen Work Triangle: 4 to 9 Feet Per Leg
NKBA guidelines set each work triangle leg at 4 to 9 feet and the total at 13 to 26 feet, a design recommendation rather than a code requirement.
Orange Jelly on Your Red Cedar: Cedar-Apple Rust
Those lumpy brown growths on eastern red cedar that swell into slimy orange tentacles after a spring rain are cedar-apple rust galls, caused by a fungus…
How High to Hang Upper Cabinets Above the Counter
NKBA sets the standard 18-inch cabinet gap, but a cooktop below changes the rule entirely under building code clearance requirements.
Why Blackout Curtains Still Leak Light
Blackout curtains fail at the perimeter, not the fabric, so panel overlap, rod height and return sides matter more than fabric weight.
Where to Put Under-Cabinet Lights So They Don’t Glare
IES RP-1 recommends placing under-cabinet lighting at the front edge of the cabinet so it lights the counter instead of glaring off a glossy backsplash.
When to Prune Holly, and How Far Back You Can Cut
Prune holly in late winter, while the plant is still dormant and before new growth starts.
What Size Bed Actually Fits Your Room?
Bed sizes only fit a room once you add mattress dimensions, walking clearance and the room’s minimum floor area together, not just floor space.
How Tall Should a Bedside Lamp Be?
The right bedside lamp height puts the shade at sitting eye level, not standing eye level, and the nightstand decides where that lands.