When the thermometer hits the triple digits, most of us want to just spend the day hanging around. And most of us have probably not given much thought to which type of rope is the best for the backyard hammock.
Home and Garden
: I have these pale green, 1/2-inch transparent flying objects that remind me of moths. What are they and are they a threat to my small, young fruit trees?
Sometimes, all the logic in the world is still not enough. Perhaps it’s human nature, but we can be extremely resistant to change, even when the preponderance of evidence indicates otherwise.
Undermounted lighting and fancy molding are great ways to dress up a boring cabinet door. But unusual knobs, handles or drawer pulls are an even better way to infuse a room with personality and style.
DEAR DESIGNER: I have treasures from Spain I would like to display in my home. I live in the desert and I like Southwest style. Can these two styles be blended successfully? Is Southwest décor in style? — Randy
In the 1950s, America’s best-known folk-art woodcarver was Wilhelm Schimmel of Cumberland Valley, Pa. A carved eagle by this man was the dream of many a collector. His pieces, even then, went for thousands of dollars, and each was one of a kind.
The object of my desire was a red or gold garden seat. You know, those awesome ceramic or porcelain accessories that can be used as a seat or a side table, plant stand or anything your little heart yearns for. So, back to my quest. I went to a specific home store because I knew that its millions of items were mostly separated by color. How easy to shop.
Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, once said that “Necessity is the mother of invention.” But in the case of Mary Jo Bass, a mother’s necessity resulted in an invention.
: We have an upstairs bedroom that leads into a Jack-and-Jill bathroom. The entry into this bathroom has a swinging door that should have been a sliding pocket door. We would like to install a sliding door in its place. How difficult and/or feasible is this?
: I am a local producer of herbs, greens and other veggies in Boulder City. What types of garlic did best for you and where did you purchase them? My chefs want lettuce all summer and are quite upset with me because I am having trouble doing just that. Do you know of any lettuces that will tolerate the heat? I have explained to them that lettuce has a hard time germinating in the heat and if it does germinate, it quickly bolts to seed. Why can’t people understand the concept of eating by the season? Can we come and see the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners Orchard in Las Vegas some time?
Lighting often gets treated as an afterthought, even though it’s usually the most important component of a room’s design. Choosing the right kind of lighting for a specific space can be both challenging and costly. The possibilities are even more open-ended in all those new condos and apartments that come equipped with no permanent lighting, except in the kitchen and bathrooms. And when a builder does outfit a home with a few lighting fixtures, they may turn out to be poorly situated or ill suited to users’ needs and preferences.
With her bright blue eyes, ever-present smile, Georgia drawl and recipes that make you drool just by the list of the ingredients, Paula Deen has charmed the nation.
DEAR DEBBIE: We are renovating our main-floor powder room, and would like it to have the same modern character as the rest of the house. What do you think about vessel sinks? Will they go out of style quickly? — Danielle
DEAR GAIL: I read a lot about green and sustainable design, but how can I incorporate it into my home? I’m not able to remodel, but would like to do what I can. — Jamie T.