Home Improvement

Photo courtesy of Hershey Gardens (Family Features) — From June to September, roses add a special flourish to yards, gardens and public parks throughout the U.S. But for many gardeners, tending roses may seem intimidating. With 23 years of experience, Jamie Shiffer, head gardener at Hershey Gardens in Hershey, Pa., knows a thing or two about cultivating a beautiful rose, in all of its varieties. Here are Shiffer's top five rose gardening tips for gardeners of all experience levels: Plant and fertilize … [Read more...] about Top Five Tips for Growing Beautiful Roses

Photo courtesy of Family Features Electric lawn care tools save you money compared to using gas-powered outdoor equipment. (Family Features) — Everyone wants a lush, green lawn, and while many homeowners use green solutions for their home, they may forget to extend those practices beyond the brick and mortar. But using sustainable practices can lead to a green lawn your family can enjoy all season long. According to the 2011 Environmental Lawn and Garden Survey from the National Gardening Association, 79 percent of U.S. … [Read more...] about Enjoy a green lawn all season long

Photo courtesy of Family Features Jason Cameron, licensed contractor and TV host, says that color plays an important role in boosting your home’s curb appeal. (Family Features) — When it’s time to sell your home, you want to do everything you can to make it enticing to potential buyers. One of the most important things you can do is boost your home’s curb appeal. The National Association of Realtors says that curb appeal sells 49 percent of all homes. To help you build curb appeal from the ground up, TruGreen and Jason … [Read more...] about Curb appeal from the ground up

Replace hardware If you'd love to renovate, but it's simply not in the budget for this year; make small updates now that you can incorporate into later construction projects. One small trick is to replace the hardware in highly trafficked areas, such as the kitchen or the bathroom. Replace cabinet handles or knobs and drawer pulls. While replacing hardware, make sure to give your door hinges and drawer tracks a good oiling to prevent squeaking. Give your car a tune-up When it comes to saving, learning how to maintain your … [Read more...] about Do-it-yourself home projects help you save

Photo courtesy of Getty Images Making your kitchen more user-friendly is a smart option. (Family Features) Parents are moving in with their adult children. College grads are coming home to Mom and Dad. Siblings are moving in with one another after a home foreclosure. Across America, the need for home design that supports multi-generational living is on the rise. In 2008, an estimated 49 million Americans, or 16.1 percent of the total U.S. population, lived in a family household that contained at least two adult … [Read more...] about Different spaces for different paces

Photo courtesy of Family Features Checking your smoke alarm is very important. (Family Features) Home fires may seem like the kind of event that happens to someone else, but the reality is, it could easily happen to you. Approximately every three hours a home fire death occurs somewhere in the nation, according to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Take action now to make sure your home is safer, and that your family knows what to do in case a fire does break out. And don’t stop there - share some … [Read more...] about Fire safety room by room

For more lighting tips and information about energy-efficient bulbs, visit www.SYLVANIA.com or www.youtube.com/sylvanialight. (Family Features) Ever wonder how designers make the rooms you see in magazines or on decorating shows look so good? It doesn’t always depend on paint colors or fabric choices. From fresh and airy, to intimate and cozy - and everything in between - lighting sets the tone of a room and should be an integral part of its design and layout. And you can make dramatic changes by doing something as easy as … [Read more...] about Need a quick room makeover? Try lighting