Q: I have several healthy clivia in pots in my living room. They used to have beautiful big blooms on tall stalks. The last few years they've had virtually no stalk and only stunted little flower heads buried deep in the crown of leaves. What am I doing wrong? A: Clivia lilies, also known as Kaffir lilies, are native to South Africa where the name Kaffir is a perjorative. The genus Clivia was named after ... [full story]

What better way to welcome your guests and keep the family happy as well than through beautiful, elegant and original front doors? Two students recently saw their dream designs come to fruition through the JELD-WEN Student Door Design Contest ... and they are beauts. Taking top honors were Nathan Williams of Virginia Tech and Anna McCorvey of Howard University. Each won $5,000 scholarships and a trip to the International Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla., where ... [full story]

Fungi hold water and dirt up against your roofing material causing your roofing material to rot. If left unchecked, moss can cause damage to the roof. Common methods of removing fungi are zinc strips, chemical and pressure washing. [full story]

Q: All my life I have wanted a tester bed. Now we've bought a house with low ceilings - just eight feet - in the bedrooms, too low for a four-poster, but I'm determined! Is there a way to achieve the look of a four-poster that doesn't look tacky? A: And how! Forget "tacky" and focus on the elegant bedroom we show here, where the "four-poster" is a clever illusion conjured by New York designer ... [full story]

Q: Enclosed is a photo of a matching washbowl and pitcher I purchased in an antiques shop in the early 1960s. On the bottom of each piece are the words "Eastern Flower - Wedgwood - Etruria - England." I thought the flowers against the deep orange background were unusual for Wedgwood and wonder if there is any value to my wash set. I would love any information you can give me. A: Josiah Wedgwood founded ... [full story]

Your home is your castle, whether you live in a tiny studio apartment in the city or a sprawling mansion in the suburbs. But is your castle really as safe and secure as you think?  Most people don’t realize the potential danger posed by electrical hazards hidden in the walls of their homes or lying unseen on their grounds. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 400 people are electrocuted in the United ... [full story]

Q: Yarrow is taking over my wildflower bed. The bed is quite large and contains many varieties of wildflowers. But just like last year, the yarrow is running rampant this spring. My attempts at controlling - digging and pulling roots - don't seem to be enough. Is there something I can do to at least control the spread? A: Another case of a good flower gone bad. Isn't that always the case? When we want ... [full story]

No time to stop and wait for your favorite latte on your way to work? No problem. Take it with you. The new Nespresso Lattissima combines elegance, ease and makes a great cup of joe. Joining together are Nestle Nespresso, the worldwide pioneer and market leader in single-serve coffee, and De'Longhi, a renowned electric household appliance company. Their mutual vision was to create a machine that would enable coffee lovers to easily prepare a latte ... [full story]

Concrete can be colored in a variety of ways. Three common methods include using staining, dyes, and integral pigments. [full story]

Q: What to do with our long narrow bathroom that serves two bedrooms upstairs, including the guest room? We want it to be a bit dressier than just a hall bath. We'd rather not switch out the fixtures, but would if it makes a big difference. A: It will if you choose "statement" plumbing, out-of-the-ordinary fixtures that will become a focal point to compensate for the bath's small size and awkward proportions. Think sculpture that's ... [full story]

Q: This is a close-up of my Disney rug. It is decorated with the images of Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Pluto dancing to music with a boat and the sea in the background. The rug measures 40 inches by 22 inches, not including the 2-inch fringe on the ends. It is in mint condition. There are no markings on the front or back to identify it as a Disney product. My grandfather acquired it ... [full story]

Q: For years I have loved bamboo but thought I could never grow it where I live in northern Illinois. However, a friend tells me I am wrong. He says several species of bamboo grow quite well this far north. I have never seen bamboo growing here. I would love to grow a species that is 10 feet or taller. I have an acre I could put it on. Can you tell me the names ... [full story]

If you've ever experienced a cold, clingy shower curtain putting a damper on your daily routine, take note. You get in the shower and the curtain blowing in on you is not only a nuisance, it's just plain irritating. Well that's where Patrick Raymond, a former advertising executive, and his ShowerBow come in. Raymond was standing in the shower one day with the curtain creeping in on him and began thinking of a way to ... [full story]