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Many buyers expect that the inspector will also provide estimates for repairs, but most simply won’t. As neutral parties that are meant to offer a professional opinion about building codes and safety compliance, inspectors aren’t to be confused with general contractors who make a living by fixing all the outdated or damaged items on the list. Because of possible conflicts of interest or just the fluctuations in labor costs, few inspectors will talk numbers....

1. Use Floral Preservatives Many store-bought bouquets come with a small packet of flower food to mix into the water. If you’re cutting tulips from your own garden, you can find larger containers or packs of flower food packets online or at garden centers. Follow the instructions on the packet and your blooms should last longer than flowers kept in plain water. Sometimes, you’ll hear that adding citrus soda or a spoonful of sugar will keep your flowers fresh, but none of them work quite as well as flower food....

Because the demand for sewing machines skyrocketed during the pandemic, CNN reported a sewing machine shortage last year. Luckily, we found a few that are back in stock, and we’re here to tell you exactly which one will fit best with your level of sewing experience. We chatted with Sonja Carmon, one of our go-to sewing experts at Better Homes & Gardens (she made this simple six-pocket bag and these DIY lavender eye masks), about the best ways for beginner sewers to get started and what to look for when buying a sewing machine for the first time....

1. Big, Bold Amaryllis Poinsettias are everywhere during the holidays, but judging from Instagram tags, amaryllises may be more popular. And no wonder! Amaryllises have spectacular blooms that can last for weeks with little care. They come in a few colors: white, red, coral, burgundy, pink, and bicolor. For example, ‘Apple Blossom’ has lime green throats, and white blooms brushed with watercolor pink. Red ‘Stargazer’ flowers have snowy-white stars on their petals....

1. Size Up the Growing Space The size of the planting area is critical when choosing a tree. To begin, what is the width of the space where you would like to plant your tree? Is the planting spot near a building, fence, or other large plants? If so, measure out how much room there is for a tree to fill without its growth being restricted. Next, take a look at the height potential for the location....

Maximize Your Mudroom A few wall storage solutions can easily turn your mudroom or entryway space into a hardworking family command center. Hang a large bulletin board on a wall near the door to store your calendar, artwork, and reminders in plain sight. Wall-mounted wire baskets with labels keep important papers at eye-level, while a clock helps family members stay on schedule. Put Small Walls to Work Small walls that might otherwise serve a minimal purpose are ideal spots for creating a family command center....

One of the best ways to order any of these drinks is to do it on the app so you could make your customizations and pick it up in-store or through the drive-thru. (If you do it this way, you’ll minimize contact.) If you decide to order in person, you should describe the drink by the recipe, instead of the name. Although some of these options are so popular, the barista will know what you’re talking about, but that isn’t necessarily the case for all of them....

With ideas for freestanding shelving units and creative wall-mounted storage, the following garage shelving ideas will help you organize your space. 1. Freestanding Shelves Freestanding shelving units are an excellent organizing tool to use for anything from holiday decor to cleaning supplies. They’re relatively inexpensive, available in a variety of sizes and finishes, and allow for customizable heights to fit your needs. Look for garage shelving made of heavy-duty metal with the option to add caster wheels for effortless rearranging....

It’s important to pay attention to the items you keep near your bed and how they could be affecting your sleep, says Dr. Eve Van Cauter, a sleep expert and chair of the scientific advisory board for Sleep Number. “Normal activities within daily routines are the ways in which we maintain the rhythm of our lives,” she says. “Anxiety levels rise when those routine activities are taken away.” To help create healthy routines, consider the items on your nightstand....

1. Designing for Comfort As the coronavirus pandemic compelled us to spend more time at home, creating a calming haven became paramount. In fact, 53% of consumers reported that the pandemic made them realize that keeping their homes comfortable should always be a priority. Now, as COVID-19 follows us into another year, nearly half of survey participants named designing with comfort in mind as the top bedroom design trend for 2022....

Chill Out Set a casual tone for your gathering by chilling the rosé in an unconventional container. Skip the fancy wine chiller and add a few bottles—and ice—to a pretty stoneware dutch oven. We love the pop of color this blue baking dish adds to the table. Since the outside of the dish will likely start to sweat (especially if your party is outside!), we recommend placing the container on a table runner or a folded kitchen towel to keep your table safe....

As you do your shopping, consider supporting some of these businesses that are owned and operated by AAPI ladies. Through Nguyen Coffee Supply, she aims to raise awareness about the often-overlooked Vietnamese coffee bean, as well as showcase the farmers who are harvesting your morning fuel. So—Agrawal decided she was going to make it herself. She started Brooklyn Delhi where she sells her achaar, as well as a unique line of condiments like curry ketchup, curry mustard, and mango chutney....

We’ve sifted through hundreds of sale items to curate a list of the best deals to shop right now, including a Lodge cast iron Dutch oven for 20% off and an Instant Pot pressure cooker for $36 less than usual. Plus, a 10-piece stainless steel cookware set for just $20 is almost unheard of, and this one is backed by over 500 five-star ratings. Below are our top eight picks....

Find the perfect dish to pair with baked beans with our best grilling recipes!

Fireplace built-ins can be recessed or flushed, symmetrical or asymmetrical, and feature various finishes based on your design vision. Increase your home’s storage potential with these nine tips for fireplace built-ins, including ideas for updating existing built-ins around a fireplace and solutions for building and installing new fireplace cabinets and shelves. Editor’s Note: Always keep safety at the top of your mind when designing and installing fireplace built-ins. Your local building codes and ordinances might specify materials and required dimensions to maintain noncombustibility....

A. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’) — 1 B. Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) — 1 C. Petunia ‘Carpet Lilac’ — 2 D. Verbena ‘Aztec Pink Magic’— 1 E. Wishbone flower (Torenia ‘Summer Wave Blue’) — 1 F. Salvia ‘Lady in Red’— 1 G. Petunia ‘Ramblin White’— 1 H. Petunia ‘Pink Daddy’ — 1 A. Petunia ‘Wave Pink’ — 1 A. Lobelia erinus — 3 B. Petunia ‘Blue Velvet’ — 1 C....

After taking down a wall, Storm installed a hardworking peninsula to separate the baking area from the prep and cook zone. Concentrating the storage in the peninsula and island allowed her to skip cabinets on the window wall in the cooking zone, which upped open floor space and made it easier for guests to circulate. Tile adds industrial European flair. The cement floor tile “feels vintage but is also really graphic and bold,” Storm says, and floor-to-ceiling subway tile is textural and reminds the homeowners of a Parisian bistro....

‘Allspice’ is a cross between Michelia figo and the related Michelia doltsopa. Plants grown in sun tend to be shorter and take on a multistemmed appearance, while those in shade are taller and often have a single leader. The narrow, glossy leaves of Michelia ‘Allspice’ make the perfect foil for white flowers that bear the scent of ripe bananas (hence the common name banana shrub). Flowers peak in spring and early summer but continue to open sporadically throughout summer....