The Home Know-It-All

Creating a Kid-Safe Bath

We’ve been ranting and raving about universal design ever since we started this blog.  That’s because—as this post points out—universal design is good for each and every person that enters your home. It’s an investment, but it’ll keep your home beautiful, functional, and accessible for years to come. So why haven’t you made the changes?

If you think you’re too young to start integrating design-for-all concepts into your home, think again. These elements not only keep you safe as you grow older, but they also keep your children out of harm’s way. So it’s smart to begin incorporating these ideas into your home today.

Although it’s likely your entire home will need a universally designed facelift, try starting in the bathroom, where children are more likely to take nasty spills and the return on investment is high. Here are a few changes—some minor and some major—that’ll make your bathroom safe for your littlest ones.

• Store a step stool under the sink or in the linen closet to make it easy for your tyke to reach the faucet and other items stored on the countertop.
• Install handlebars and grab bars on the bathtub and shower wall. Bars should be installed on the shower wall so your child can grab them while seated, and bars on the bathtub ledge should be placed so they’re easy to grab without making it difficult to get out of the tub. Try this handle from KidSafe ($11.99), which makes it easy to reposition the device as needed. If buying a new bathtub is within your budget, look for one with build-in handlebars, ledges, or a transfer bench.
• Keep soggy towels off the floor and remove tripping hazards by placing hooks within your child’s grasp.
• Replace two-lever faucets with single-lever versions. Single-lever faucets are easier for children to use because they can control water temperature and strength with one hand.
• Place a basket close to the tub to house bath toys and collect clutter.
• Lower the thermostat setting on your water heater to at least 120-degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.
• Store blow dryers, electric razors, and other electric devices away from water sources and your child’s reach.
• Medicine and cleaning products should all be kept in a locked cabinet. Look for medicine cabinets with lock boxes, like Robern’s C Series
  
• Place a non-slip mat inside the tub.
  
• Keep your floors rug-free to thwart slipping and tripping.
  
• Mount a tilt mirror above your sink, so your munchkins can adjust it to their heights.

And this is just for the bathroom! There are a bevy of other updates you can make to improve the design of your entire home. If you’re looking to renovate the kitchen, be sure to check out this post. And don’t forget to brush up on the entire universal design movement on AARP’s site.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Community Cleanup Day

Who says spring cleaning has to focus exclusively on the indoors? With Earth Day less than a month away, now is the perfect time to round up family, friends, and coworkers, and take your cleaning skills outside. Whether you pick up litter or plant a community garden, Mother Nature will benefit from enhanced beautification efforts. Look for these kinds of community cleanup opportunities in your areas:

Free recycling. To safely dispose of spent appliances, electronics, compost, hazardous household waste, and other hard-to-recycle items, take advantage of complimentary garbage and recycling services offered in several communities this time of year. Some programs pick recyclables up from your curb; with others, you drop the items off at specified sites.

River/stream cleanup. Grab a trash bag and don your work gloves and grubbiest clothes to corral debris that’s collected in a nearby stream or river. Want to take part in an organized event? Check to see if the National River Cleanup, sponsored by American Rivers, has planned a cleanup in your area. Don’t see any? Here’s what you need to know to get one started in your neck of the woods.

Great American Cleanup. Take part in Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup, which is the nation’s largest community improvement program. The program takes place each year from March 1 through May 31 all across the country. Last year, participants collected 86 million pounds of litter and debris and cleaned 144,000 miles of roads, streets, and highways—talk about making a difference! To find a local affiliate, click here. Or start one yourself.

And don’t forget to check out all the Earth Day events in your area. After all, what’s a better way to honor this eco-friendly holiday than by picking up litter along your local trail or even planting a new tree in your yard? For more information, check out the Earth Day Take Home Kit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Pick the Right Fireplace

We’ve written a few posts on fireplace technology in the past. Remember this one on pellet stoves? This one on wood-burning fireplace maintenance? And this one on gas fireplace maintenance?

But wouldn’t you know it—fireplace technology has continued to evolve and improve. Just check out all of the innovative products featured at this year’s Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) Expo. New technologies—including recycled materials and zone heating—mean great things for the environment. And improved outdoor fireplaces mean your living space can extend even farther.

All this means it’s even easier to choose a fireplace that’s perfect for you, so if you’re in the market for a new hearth, peruse what the HPBA is raving about. Then ask yourself a few questions.

Do I only need to heat one room? If your family typically convenes in the living room, it makes no sense to equally heat the dining room and basement. A gas fireplace lets you heat only the space you’re in, saving you 20 to 40 percent on energy costs.

Do I have better access to a certain fuel? If you have an abundance of firewood, a wood-burning stove may be the way to go. But if propane is easier to get your hands on, you should probably go that route.

What makes the most sense for my climate? Homeowners that live in an area with frequent power outages due to high winds or accumulated ice should consider a fireplace that runs off zero electricity.

Would I use an outdoor space more frequently if it were heated? An outdoor hearth is ideal for nature-loving homeowners who like to spend time on the patio or porch. If the space was heated, you could venture outdoors sooner in the spring and stay out later in the fall.

For more questions to ask yourself, go here. And once you’ve got your choices narrowed down, read this article about buying a hearth product.

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Creating a Home Gym

Let’s face it: Squeezing fitness into your already-packed daily grind is challenging. Waking up two hours early to drive to the gym, work out, shower, and drive home—all before work? Personally, I’d rather hide out under the covers.

That’s where a home gym comes in handy. Carving out a space devoted to exercise is convenient, it allows you to work out on your own schedule, and you can customize it to your liking. If you’re devoted to regular physical activity, it might be less expensive than your gym membership. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. You with me? Here’s what you need to know about setting up your gym:

Select a space. Break out the tape measure. You can put a home gym almost anywhere, so long as you have adequate space for your equipment and ample room to move about comfortably. Most people convert unused spaces, such as a garage, basement, or spare bedroom, into gyms. To ensure your room has enough square footage to accommodate your equipment, check out this American Council on Exercise guide, which estimates how much room you’ll need for treadmills, rowing machines, and more.

You’ll also want to consider what type of flooring you have. Concrete-slab flooring can easily support heavy equipment. But if you’ve got hardwood planks, vinyl tile, carpet, or another flooring material covering this concrete slab, it’s a good idea to install rubber padding or a thick mat such as this one from American Fitness.net to protect your floors from constant movement, falling objects, and sweat.

Invest in equipment. How exactly you equip your home gym depends on your personal preferences, of course. Only invest in pieces that you’ll actually use. If, for example, you despise cycling, nix the stationary bike idea. Because as personal trainer Nick Irons so aptly puts it, “This will save you from having an expensive clothes hanger.”

Ideally, you’ll have two basic types of equipment, according to this Washingtonian article: something for cardio workouts, such as a treadmill, elliptical machine, or stationary bike, and something for strength-building activities, such as a weight-lifting station. CBS News outlines other possible workout essentials here.

Because exercise equipment is pricey—and a long-term investment—purchase good-quality, safe pieces. If others in your household will be using the home gym too, make sure the pieces accommodate their abilities and fitness goals. This requires you to do your homework. For example, see how Consumer Reports rates items. Visit sporting-good stores and specialty fitness retailers to examine all the options—and test the equipment out before you bring it home. For more specific tips and tricks on selecting the right equipment, read this Diabetic Living Online story.

Add extras. There’s more to a home gym than just fitness equipment, of course. Floor-length mirrors allow you to watch your form. Adding a sound system or TV (with a DVD player or VCR so you can watch fitness videos) banishes boredom, as does keeping a steady supply of magazines and other reading material nearby. For further stimulation, consider painting the walls an energizing color such as red or yellow. And if you want to rev up your workouts with new activities, follow the lead of this Taste of Home reader, who cut out examples of various exercises from her favorite magazines and glued them onto cardboard, which she attached to the walls.

Comfort is also important. Bring in a fan or simply open a window or two so cool breeze can circulate. Overhead, fluorescent lights keep temperatures down and provide necessary illumination. And consider purchasing a mini fridge to keep cold water in close proximity.

Work out for free. Lacking the space—and the budget—for a home gym? Don’t break a sweat worrying about it. I’m right there with you. After all, I’m not about to plunk an elliptical machine in the center of my dining nook (the only place it would fit). Rather, I’m investing in the basics—dumbbells, resistance bands, an exercise mat, even a stability ball. These versatile workout staples are inexpensive and easy to store—just stash ’em in a closet when you’re not using them.

And remember: Some of the best full-body workout moves—pushups, jumping jacks, sit-ups, and lunges—are free. Have stairs? Yes, climbing them regularly totally counts as exercise. And take advantage of an empty wall for wall sits. There are plenty of other ideas out there too, so get creative!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

And the winner is ...

Carolyn G!

Congratulations, Carolyn, on winning a brand-new Black & Decker Pivot Floor Vac in our first-ever giveaway! Carolyn’s comment was randomly selected as the winner thanks to the help of Random.org. Her favorite spring cleaning tool?

"A little lemon, baking soda and water will take off the soap scum from bathrooms and tiles. Plus the lemon gives it a nice smell, it's ‘green’ and inexpensive."

Great tip! And there are plenty more terrific spring cleaning ideas from the other wonderful readers who posted comments. Check them all out here.

Then be sure to check back often—we have another terrific Spring Cleaning giveaway scheduled soon.

The Home Know-It-All

Turn off the lights. Turn up the savings.

Want an easy, green project for your Wednesday afternoon? Replace your light switches with occupancy sensors! You’ll save big bucks on your energy bill and decrease the number of light bulbs headed to the landfill. Plus, you’ll never have to remember to turn off lights again. 

An occupancy sensor is a device that automatically turns the light on when you walk into a room and off when you walk out. They’re best suited for spaces used less often—like the garage, basement, or utility closet. And because they prevent you from accidentally leaving a light on for an extended period of time, many folks reduce the energy their lights consume by up to 90 percent. Typical reductions range from 35 to 45 percent, according to the California Energy Commission.

What does all this mean for you? A dramatic decrease in your energy bill. And if that’s not enough incentive for you to switch, installing occupancy sensors is as easy as pie. First, turn off the power and unscrew your current light switch from the wall. Then, detach the wires and reconnect them to your new sensor using wire nuts. Gently push the new switch into the wall box and attach it with mounting screws. Finally, screw in the outlet cover and switch the power back on.

For more in-depth instructions and description of how occupancy sensors work, read this article from Electronic Construction & Maintenance magazine. 

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Not-So-Mellow Yellow

Ready to color your house happy this year? Say hello to yellow. Seriously. This cheery hue is the new “It” decorating color, and for good reason. 

The Pantone Color Institute specifically chose Mimosa, a brilliant, saturated, nature-inspired shade, as their 2009 color of the year. Why? It’s warm, nurturing, and it offers the reassurance we need in challenging economic times.

Whether you opt for Mimosa or saffron, yellow is fresh and fun. Here’s what you need to know about decorating with this lively color.

One happy hue. Nothing lifts my spirits quite like a sun-drenched day following a string of gray rainy days. (Maybe that’s why one of my all-time favorite songs is “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles.) When used indoors, yellow has the same mood-boosting effect.
This optimistic hue is associated with happiness, energy, wisdom, and reawakening. It enhances memory and stimulates appetite. And it’s also a notoriously spontaneous color (especially if you opt for a punchy shade like lemon or canary), so if you crave stability, you limit yourself to a softer shade or switch to a calmer color all together. Try blue or green.

Bold or buttery? Depending on the shade you choose, yellow can energize, soothe, or both. A pale, creamy yellow, such as butter cream, gives off a calm, quiet vibe—which is why it’s used in nurseries and home offices, such as my fellow Home Know-It-All Julie’s workspace. But even though her office hue is toned down, it’s no less cheery or warm.

Sunnier, citrus-y hues such as Pantone’s Mimosa are more daring and eye-catching (which is why road signs and taxis are often bright yellow). When using a more intense shade, remember that less is more. Scatter a few yellow accents such as pillows, draperies, flowers, or vases around. Or take cues from my fellow Home Know-It-All Randall and paint an accent wall. Randall opted for a more vibrant shade in her bedroom, but by sticking to just one wall, she created a bright space that’s not a bit overdone.

With just the interior painted bold yellow, this bookcase is a similar example of bright done right. 
Need help picking the right shade? Check out the sunny swatches in this House Beautiful guide.

Soaking up the sun. Ready to welcome this cheery hue into your home? Before you head to the home improvement store to pick out paint, remember that most yellows look twice as bright when they’re actually on the wall (especially if they receive direct sunlight), says Colour Me Happy writer Maria Killam.

Also consider what colors you’re paring it with. For example, fiery reds and oranges intensify yellow. Cool hues and soft, creamy yellows have a harmonious effect together. And teaming yellow with neutrals lets it truly pop—something this attention-grabbing hue was meant to do. See how yellow plays with other colors and surfaces here.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Organize It: Pantry

A well-stocked pantry is like heaven to any foodie. It’s where you find all the treasures for whipping up a great last-minute meal: olive oil, legumes, rice, a random can of pineapple, dark chocolate (my favorite, of course), you name it.

At the same time, an unorganized pantry can be a nightmare for a cook, self-professed foodie or not.

Pantry is, of course, a loose term. I don’t have a specific cabinet or a separate closet that’s called the pantry in my kitchen. I do have plenty of cupboards filled with foodstuffs though. So whether you have a designated pantry or just a bunch of messy cupboards, these tips can help whip your main food storage area into shape in no time—so you can focus on cooking, rather than an avalanche of chip bags and macaroni boxes that inevitably tumble on you every time you reach for the sugar.

Take a hard look.
What is long past date and should be tossed? What has been sitting there so long there’s no way you’ll ever actually use it? Donate what you don’t need (boxed mashed potatoes? the sixth can of pinto beans when you don’t even like pinto beans?) and sort the rest into tidy piles by food type.

Clean.
Once you’ve removed everything from your shelves, give your storage area a good scrubbing. Odds are, dust, dirt, and random spills have made your shelves messy. Now’s the time to change that so you can start with a clean slate.

Get rid of excess packaging.
Once you’re finished cleaning, go back to that pile of food on the floor or table or wherever you put it. Remove items that are packaged unnecessarily from bulky boxes, bags, and the like so they aren’t hogging space. From now on, plan to do that right away when you come home with something you purchase in bulk.

Get the right containers.
I love the square and rectangular clear plastic containers with the snap-on lids that I use to store cereal and baking supplies. They keep things fresh, help me avoid unwanted spills, and make it easy to spot what I need at a glance. Plus, transferring things to reusable containers helps you stack and organize easily. See the magic the right containers can work over at Curbly. Another lovely idea: store your grains in glass jars—although then you probably won’t want to hide them away where no one can see them!

Consolidate.
Now that you have those containers in place, what can you combine? Those three boxes of almost-gone pasta can all be dumped into one container. (Will anyone really mind if they get a few shells in their rotini?)

Find the right organizers.
Basics like chip clips and baskets may be all you need to whip your pantry into shape. I use baskets all over the place in my kitchen—a big one for bread items, a smaller one to corral all my spices, another for tea bags and such. However, sometimes it’s worth it to invest in more serious organizational tools (particularly in a big pantry). Whether you have the cash to spend or simply want to dream, I love what’s available for pantry organization from Williams Sonoma. Of course, all you really need are the myriad organizational tools available from The Container Store. And I’m also impressed with the selection at places like Target.

Group like items.
If you have room, designate certain shelves for certain items. You might have a shelf for snacks, another for baking, one for beverages, one for breakfast. Which items get used the most? Place them at or near eye level. Or if you aren’t dealing with floor-to-ceiling shelves, at least group similar items in the same area. Then get even more specific. Within your area for breakfast, for instance, place all the boxes of cereal together, the oatmeal options next to one another, and so on. Easy easy easy.

Make sure you can see everything.
“Out of sight, out of mind” may be cliché, but it’s also true. Position pantry items so they are easily visible, otherwise you’ll forget all about them.

Label!

I don’t own a label maker but have often contemplated investing in one. If you have one (or have been thinking about buying one too), put it to good use by labeling your pantry shelves. That way, if certain members of the family forget where things go, they’ll have an easy-to-spot reminder.

Take inventory.
If you really want to get organized, you can’t beat this free, downloadable pantry inventory sheet from Organized Home. Once you download it, be sure to check out the article on pantry organizing on the site—it’s loaded with great info on building a functional pantry.

Learn more.
If you’re interesting in getting more great pointers on pantry organization, I have a few more links for you. Check out the great tips at About.com and from professional organizer Lea Schneider. While you’re at it, be sure to take a peek at a great real-life pantry reorganization from I’m an Organizing Junkie. It shows how easy it can be to get things in order, even if you don’t have the cash to spend on tons of nifty organizers.

Looking for more ways to get organized in the kitchen? Next stop: your recipes.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

P.S. Don’t forget there’s still time to win in our first-ever giveaway! All we ask in return? A great cleaning tip or two.

Bathroom Ventilation 101

My apartment complex is reaching 100 years old. Do you know what that means? Concrete walls, steam heat, and no bathroom fan.

While I can live with—and even enjoy—the first two features, the last one kind of irks me. In the top left corner of my bathroom, there’s a small vent—connected to all the other bathrooms above and below me, mind you—that’s supposed to suck moisture out, but it just doesn’t seem sufficient. Plus, it’s open to everyone else’s bathroom, so plenty of unappreciated odors and sounds loft up from below.

It’s not likely—or even possible—that my landlord will install a ventilation system in our bathrooms, but most homebuilders would recommend it. If you’re lucky enough to have control over your bathroom amenities, here are a few ventilation tips:

• Most bathrooms in modern homes NEED a ventilation system. Today’s homes are built to be airtight, so forgoing a bathroom fan will only leave you with stagnant air and foggy mirrors. Over time, that built-up moisture will cause mold, mildew, and even health problems.


• Before purchasing a fan, you must know your bathroom’s measurements. Ventilation systems are rated in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The basic standard for a bathroom ventilation fan is that it must be able to change the room air eight times in an hour. In a typical bathroom with eight-foot ceilings, this means you’ll need one CFM per one square foot of bathroom space. If your bathroom measures 100 square feet, you’ll need a fan rated 100 CFM.


• Bathroom fans are also rate in sones for their noise level. The lower the number, the quieter they sound. And trust me, in order to get the most from your fan and use it as often as necessary, you should pay for the quieter model. Anything above a two is likely too noisy for the typical bathroom.


• A bathroom fan doesn’t have to be an eyesore! This article from Apartment Therapy proves it.


• Ready to install a fan? This article from This Old House can show you how to do it yourself.

If you’re like me—stuck with no fan and no chance of installing one—you’re not completely out of luck. There are still precautions you can take to prevent mold and mildew and keep your bathroom smelling fresh.

Leave the door open while showering and open any nearby windows if possible. Place an oscillation fan in the doorway facing outward to suck that moisture out of the bathroom and through the rest of your home or apartment. And clean your bathroom regularly to tackle any mold or mildew before it gets out of hand.

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Check out our Black & Decker Pivot Floor Vac Giveaway!

There's still time to enter for a chance to win The Home Know-It-All's first-ever giveaway. Learn more here.

Green Your Toilet

If your toilet has been around since before 1995, it probably uses as much as 3.5 gallons of water per flush. And if it happens to be a pre-1980 model? You’re looking at 5 gallons headed down the pipes every time it’s used. That’s a lot of water, particularly since the National Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated that toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush—and some of today’s models use considerably less than that.

Although purchasing a low-flow toilet is probably the best way to reduce your toilet water use, you don’t have to fork over the cash for a new one to save. Lucky you, today’s Green Around the House Challenge shows you how to cut back on the water use, waste, and pollution that originates from this bathroom staple.

Look for leaks. Americans use 5.8 billion gallons of water to flush their toilets every day — and that doesn’t include how much water is wasted from leaky toilets. Although leaks often go unnoticed, figuring out whether your toilet leaks is pretty easy. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and avoid flushing. If color appears in the bowl within 15 to 30 minutes, it’s time to repair. (Common culprits: a faulty flapper or worn plunger ball.)

Displace water in the tank. This is an easy one. Simply rinse out a half-gallon juice jug, add a couple of inches or sand or pebbles to weigh the jug down, then fill the rest of the jug with water. Screw on the lid, flush the toilet, and place the jug in the tank. Displacing just that half-gallon of water with each flush can end up saving you more than 240 gallons of water per month. (I just added a jug to one of our toilets this weekend and so far no one has even noticed!)

If it’s yellow... Yes, I know. The rhyme “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down” causes many people to cringe. But it’s true! Not flushing when there are just liquids in the bowl saves gallons of water each day. (But if you don’t want to do it, I won’t tell.)

Use recycled toilet paper. Recycled toilet paper options are becoming increasingly available — and they do the job just as well as other types of TP. And swapping toilet paper brands is an easy change that yields big results: If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber toilet paper (500 sheets) with 100 percent recycled ones, we could save 423,900 trees, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). When shopping for TP, just be sure to verify the percentage of post-consumer waste (PCW) in the product. And, while you’re at it, make certain the toilet paper was processed chlorine-free (PCF), which means it wasn’t whitened with chlorine bleach (a nasty pollutant that ends up in water supplies). You can learn more about picking the right toilet paper from A Shopper’s Guide to Home Tissue Products by the NRDC.

Stop flushing prescriptions! If you’ve heard that flushing old prescription drugs down the toilet is the best way to dispose of them, think again. Recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency surveys have found trace levels of more than 100 different pharmaceutical drugs in water samples, including drinking-water sources. Those traces harm streams, the fish that live in them — and, in high doses, even human health.

Instead of tossing unused drugs, check with your local pharmacy to see if they have a take-back program. Or check for a hazardous-waste collection program in your area. And if you must use the trash? Follow the guidelines of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for proper disposal (available in this downloadable PDF).

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Win a Black & Decker Pivot Floor Vac!

Photos courtesy of Black & Decker

Yes, you read that right. You are witnessing history right here, folks. It’s the first-ever The Home Know-It-All Giveaway! (But not the last—promise.)

Just in time for spring cleaning, one lucky winner will be the proud owner of a brand-new 18 Volt Cordless High Performance Pivot Floor Vac from Black & Decker. As you learned right here yesterday, the Pivot Floor Vac makes cleaning under furniture and in hard-to-reach corners easy—whether you’re vacuuming on carpet, rugs, kitchen tile, or hardwood.

Wanna enter? Just leave a comment in this post that briefly describes your favorite spring-cleaning tool (scroll down to the end of the post and click the link that says “comments”). It might be as simple as “hot soapy water and a rag” or it might reveal a terrific product you swear by (and that other readers will want to try too). What you post is up to you, just as long as it involves cleaning!

This contest will end on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 9:00 AM Central time. One entry per person. You must be a resident of the Continental United States and use a valid email address (that you actually check!) to win. The winner of the Black & Decker Pivot Floor Vac will be selected at random and will be announced on the morning of March 25. If you have questions about this giveaway, please check out our Giveaway FAQ page. Still have questions? Email us.

Happy spring cleaning—and good luck!
The Home Know-It-All

Fancy Fishbowls

1984 Fishbowl. Photo courtesy Workshopped.com

You may not know this but we Home Know-It-Alls love animals, and by love, I mean we’re fairly obsessed. When I go to work each day, I enjoy the company of an office dog and fish. The fish’s name is Conrad, and he faithfully watches over my daily routines from the confines of his little bowl. Every once and awhile, I look over and wonder if he’s happy in there.

Although he has a nice plant and some shiny marbles to keep him company, perhaps he’d be more satisfied in one of these fancy fishbowls:

Photo courtesy of Roger Arquer

Roger Arquer Fishbowls
London-Based designer, Roger Arquer, presented 15 variations on the standard fishbowls for his 2006 collection. And they each play off a common fishbowl notion or present a solution to a different issue. For example, the fishbowl entitled Russian Dolls allows the fish to choose to remain in a smaller vessel and stay a smaller size or venture into the larger bowl and grow. Another fishbowl called Private Matters gives the fish a little privacy when he or she needs it. And my favorite option, Hanging From A String, features a bobber and a playful hook, giving light to what would normally be a dangerous situation.

Fishbowl Bookends.
Photo courtesy of
Wrappables.com

Fishbowl Bookends
Wrappables.com sells a set of two fishbowls that can be used as bookends. At $34.95, the duo is perfect for livening up a bookcase.

1984 Fishbowl
Named after George Orwell’s 1984, this homey fishbowl is designed to meet the needs of a non-human species. With solid white walls and three portholes, it secludes your fish without hiding it. The domed portholes even magnify the interior to give you an up-close view of your favorite fish.

Fantasy Bowl Aquarium
Although Conrad is just a tiny Betta, he’d have room to spread out in this 16-gallon, leak-proof, and shatterproof aquarium from Nature’s Ocean. It comes with either a desktop ring or pedestal, depending on where you want to locate your fishbowl. Plus, it comes with a built-in light to illuminate your finned friend.

USB Mini Aquarium
Just when you think you’ve seen all the fishbowls imaginable, they come up with something even more elaborate. Case in point: The Comfish USB Mini Aquarium. So what exactly does it do? Once you’ve plugged the attached USB port into your computer, you can control the oxygenation, climate, and lighting from your desk. And thanks to a camera within the fishbowl, you can even spy on your fish from around the corner.

Now, which one do you think Conrad would like?

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Smart Spring Cleaning Supplies

Whether you dread it or relish it, spring cleaning season is finally upon us. (And I have to admit, my not-so-tidy apartment is in need of some serious organization.) Kick off this year’s spring cleaning routine with these smart tools that’ll make the job go simpler and speedier (and maybe even a bit more fun):

ScumBuster XtremePower Scrubber. Photo courtesy of Black & Decker

Super scrubbing. Cut back on the time you spend cleaning the tub, shower tiles, and other bathroom surfaces by using the ScumBuster XtremePower Scrubber from Black & Decker ($39.99). Simply pour your cleaner of choice into the scrubber’s handle and get ready to blast away nasty grime. This motorized tool features 25¬–30 minutes of run time. Plus, its clever 3-in-1 extension handle lets you reach high surfaces, as well as those hard-to-reach corners and crevices.

Clean sweep. Say goodbye to icky dust bunnies once and for all. The OXO Under Duster ($24.99) allows you to sweep under beds, sofas, chairs, coffee tables, and other low items with ease, thanks to its wide 14” head and jointed, bending handle. This eco-friendly duster comes with a 14-inch microfiber head that’s removable and washable. And should you suddenly need to dust while you’re washing the duster head, you can simply use a disposable cleaning sheet in its place and proceed. The duster’s nonslip, cushy handle grip is just icing on the cake.

18 Volt Cordless High
Performance Pivot
Floor Vac. Photo courtesy
of Black & Decker

Versatile vacuum. For me, one of the most annoying things about vacuuming isn’t the process itself (truth be told, I enjoy vacuuming). Rather, the problem lies in lugging the vacuum out of my overly cramped coat closet and then reorganizing my closet’s contents to put the vacuum back in when I’m done. That’s where the 18 Volt Cordless High Performance Pivot Floor Vac from Black & Decker ($99.99) would come in handy. This lightweight, cordless vacuum cleans a variety of surfaces, including carpets, rugs, kitchen tile, and hardwood. When the canister is full, simply empty it over the trash can. And best of all (for me, anyway), it’s super-easy to store because it neatly folds in half.

Ready to rinse. Take your spring cleaning prowess outdoors—after all, your siding, deck, driveway, and alfresco furniture deserve a little TLC after a long winter. Pressure washers such as the 2550 PSI/ 2.3 GPM Gas Pressure Washer from Troy-Bilt ($299.00 at Lowe’s) thoroughly washes these outdoor items, so they look their best for spring and summer. If you use a gas-powered model like the Troy-Bilt one I mentioned above, make sure to wear the included safety goggles when operating it. And to prevent any mishaps, check the product’s manual or information packet to make sure it’s safe to pressure wash.

Geared up for spring cleaning yet? Here’s what you need to know to make a game plan. And here’s more info on spring cleaning outdoors.

Oh, and before I leave you to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: Are you a fan of the Black & Decker Pivot Floor Vac and ScumBuster Xtreme Power Scrubber? Stay tuned for exciting news regarding these products in the coming weeks

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Reader Tips and Tricks

We’re always rambling on about what we know about cleaning, organizing, decorating, gardening, home repair, and more at The Home Know-It-All. But we’d be remiss not to acknowledge that you, dear readers, are know-it-alls in your own right. That’s why today instead of hearing what I know, you’re going to get a dose of advice from your fellow readers.

Here’s a random collection of reader tips and tricks to get your week started out right:

• If a leaky sink originates from the plumbing beneath the sink or the faucet, you can likely tackle repairs depending on the severity of a problem. — JB Plumbing


• For compression bathroom faucets, if you find a water leak that is from the faucet handle you will need to make the packing nut tighter. The other option is that you will need to actually replace the packing part of the faucet. — Plumber Sydney
  [Know-It-All Note: Check out this post to figure out whether you should repair or replace bath fixtures.]


• I started using a Fur-Zoff to remove pet hair. It works great on all fabrics. It's a green product as well! It only costs $9.99 and lasts forever. — Kelly
  [Know-It-All Note: Learn more about pet hair removal here.]


• Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly, and inexpensively seal and insulate air leaks in your home:
  Attic Stairs. Add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.
  Whole-House Fans and AC Returns. Add a whole house fan cover. Installed from the attic side, the whole house fan cover is invisible. Cover the fan to reduce heating and air-conditioning loss, remove it when use of the fan is desired.
  Fireplaces. Add a fireplace draftstopper. A fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.
  Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts. Add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape. — Mark Tyrol
  [Know-It-All Note: Get more pointers for battling drafts here.]


• If you are serious about saving water, want a toilet that really works and is affordable, I would highly recommend a Caroma Dual Flush toilet. Caroma toilets offer a patented dual flush technology consisting of a 0.8 Gal flush for liquid waste and a 1.6 Gal flush for solids. All of Caroma’s toilets are on the list of WaterSense labeled HET’s and also qualify for several rebate programs. — Andrea Paulinelli
  [Know-It-All Note: Looking for more ways to save energy and water? Try these cool green tools.]


• I recommend shredding all direct mail credit card offers. An ID thief can easily submit the application and get a credit card in your name. — Morgan
  [Know-It-All Note: Find a personal paper shredder using our recommendations.]


• I had the same experience with CFLs not working in my suspended kitchen light fixture. Initially only the center CFL would work. I found that the problem was the screw-in bases of the CFLs are ever so slightly shorter than the incandescent bulbs. It just did not make sense that there was anything major wrong with the fixture or wiring. I tested the thesis by screwing in a plug adapter into to socket of the kitchen fixture and plugging in a small lamp with a CFL that I knew worked, and the bulb worked. So I added a small amount of solder to the base of the CFLs, put them in the fixture and all three bulbs worked. Another fix is to slightly pry up the center contact in the socket. —John
  [Know-It-All Note: Learn more about solving CFL problems in this post.]

Now, what ideas do you have? Any great home-related advice you want to share? Leave a comment here!

[Know-It-All Note: The Home Know-It-All does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any of the pointers or products listed here.]

Toolbox Essentials

I like to think of myself as a pretty handy lady. In fact, it’s a pretty strong point of pride for me. Can I hang that bookshelf? Of course! Can I put together that new desk? You betcha! 

It’s gotten so bad that when my folks gave me a cordless drill as a housewarming present—something most girls would scoff at—I was so thrilled I screamed. And you can bet that I’ve already put that drill to good use, hanging picture after picture with it. 

Having a well-stocked toolbox then, as you’ve probably guessed, is something I admire and aspire to. Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware’s Helpful Hardware Man, insists that no toolbox is complete without a screwdriver, hammer, tape measure, utility knife, and pliers. 

If you’re just starting to pack your toolbox, follow this checklist to make sure it’s full of the essentials and ready to tackle any do-it-yourself project you throw at it. 

Toolbox. This may seem obvious, but you can’t expect to keep your tools in good shape without a toolbox. A sturdy plastic one—like this one from Stanley Hand Tools ($11.85)—is probably sufficient. Look for a container with a removable tray. This will keep you from losing little tools and damaging them at the bottom of your toolbox. 

Hammer. If you’re just completing small tasks around your house such as hanging pictures, a 16-ounce claw hammer should suit you just fine. 

Screwdriver. Does it seem like no matter the project you tackle you can never find the right screwdriver? A complete toolbox must have a variety of screwdrivers to meet your needs, including a variety of Philips and flat heads. Try a multi-bit set to get the most bang for your buck. I like this Kobalt one from Lowe’s ($14.97). 

Tape measure. Any ol’ retractable tape measure should do. 

Level. As long as a level is, well, level, it should suffice, but if you need to hang pictures at an angle or any tricky location, I choose the Black & Decker Auto-Leveling Laser. Hold the device on the wall and instantly a red laser shoots out in a straight line. Swivel it to hang pictures on an angle or vertically. 

Utility knife. A retractable version is clearly the safest bet. This Husky Autoblade Utility Knife is especially safe, however, because it features a quick blade change feature. Simply hit the button and the old blade pops off. 

Pliers. A sturdy set of pliers is a must have. Purchase a wide variety, including needle-nose, tongue-and-groove, and hog nose, to be prepared. Or buy a complete set. 

Adjustable wrench. Choose an adjustable version to make sure it fits any bolt. 

That should be enough to get you started, but if there’s anything else you think you might need, check out this article from Popular Mechanics. Until Monday, The Home Know-It-All

Why Does This Plant Hate Me?

Houseplants fill a room with beauty and vitality—and they can perk you up on a “blah” day. But just as houseplants lift your spirits, they too need a little TLC—sometimes a lot of TLC. Just ask my coworker, Jim. For months, he wrestled with the lofty task of reviving an oversize, bedraggled fern that seemed to have outgrown its container. Jim faithfully removed dead foliage, fertilized it, and placed it in different locations to try to bring it back to life—and all efforts proved fruitless. But even though it seemed like its days were numbered, the unkempt plant refused to completely bite the dust. After pruning away at the plant and realizing there wasn’t much that wasn’t dead, Jim and his wife regretfully decided to discard it.

But that doesn’t mean you have to do the same. If you have sad, scraggly plants that need rescuing—and you’re not sure what else to do—try these ideas:

Water wisely.
There’s a fine line when it comes to watering houseplants—you don’t want to under-water them, of course, but you don’t want to over-water them, either. Dehydration caused by a lack of watering damages roots, but so does root rot, which is caused by too much moisture.

So how do you know when your plants really need a drink? Feel the soil. If the top layer feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water. And know that different plants have different hydration requirements—plants with very thin leaves need more frequent watering, for example. North Carolina State University discusses proper watering techniques here.

Monitor humidity. Winter’s cold, dry air takes a toll on humidity-loving houseplants. Luckily, there are ways to get around that. If you don’t already own a humidifier, it’s a worthwhile investment. Grouping plants together increases humidity, as does placing pots and containers over a tray of gravel or pebbles and water. (Just make sure that the bottom of the plant doesn’t touch the water in the tray—that can encourage root rot.)

Fertilize.
Fertilizer, which promotes growth, is another way to revitalize plants. But just like water, too much fertilizer can lead to a plant’s demise. Try a slow-release indoor fertilizer—one that’s meant for houseplants—and moisten soil before applying it. And make sure to only fertilize plants during active growth spurts—this is when they’ll best respond to the fertilizer. Learn more about fertilizing here.

Trim away. Break out the pruning shears. Perhaps the only thing standing between you and a healthy, attractive houseplant is low-growing or dead foliage—and its time to remove it. Here’s how.

Change locations. Perhaps your plant’s biggest problem lies in its locale—it might be getting too much or too little sun. Or perhaps it’s too close to vents or drafts, which robs the soil of any moisture. Case in point: I keep a spider plant on my windowsill, where it usually thrives. But around mid-December, I noticed that the foliage was droopy and the ends were turning brown. Curious, I stuck my finger into the soil and was surprised that it felt desert-dry. The constant flow of cold air had totally zapped it of moisture. After giving it a hearty drink, I then moved the plant to a spot on my desk where it could still receive sunlight without the cold air, and it perked right back up in a matter of days. Whew!

Repot.
Sometimes, switching up locations isn’t quite enough to revive a scraggly houseplant. Sometimes, you just need to repot it altogether, especially if the plant has outgrown its pot, or if roots have taken over the pot, whether they’re sprouting on the surface of the soil or they’re growing out of the bottom of the pot. Repotting is typically done in the spring or summer, during periods of active growth (so the plant’s roots better recover from the process). HGTV explains how to do repot plants here. If you don’t want to go through the entire process of repotting, simply remove an inch or so of soil and add a new layer of fresh mix.

Do your homework. It goes without saying that you should research the growth requirements and special needs of your houseplants before bringing them home. But if you’ve tried everything else—a different location, pruning, fertilizer—to no avail, it’s time to hit the books once again to figure out once and for all what’s ailing your plants. Try The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual, or the MiracleGro Guide to Growing Healthy Houseplants. Other ways to diagnose your plant’s problems? Talk to a gardener at your local nursery, consult one of the Better Homes & Gardens garden editors, or contact someone at your local county extension office.

Buy resilient houseplants. So you weren’t blessed with a green thumb. That doesn’t mean you can’t own—and nurture—houseplants. Just look for hardy, easy-going varieties that can stand up to a bit more wear and tear and neglect. Good options include Chinese evergreens, spider plants, snake plants, and philodendrons. Read about more forgiving houseplant varieties here.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Eco-Friendly Painting

You’ve heard it here before: Painting is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to spruce up your home. Nothing says hello spring (or winter or fall or any season for that matter) like a fresh coat of paint on the walls, on a favorite piece of furniture, or even on a canvas hung on the wall.

That’s why today’s Green Around the House Challenge is all about greening your painting routine.

The first and most important step to painting greener is to select low- or no-VOC paint. Lucky for you, I’ve written on that very topic before. So all you have to do to understand why it’s important to paint VOC-free (and where you can find paint sans VOCs) is read this post.

But what about the tools you use?

The greenest option is usually the reusable option. When it comes to protecting your floors and furniture, do you have any old sheets you aren’t using anymore? Throw them down as drop cloths. Or buy a heavy-duty canvas drop cloth, which can be used over and over again. If you’re looking for a temporary fix, check out Trimaco’s Eco Drop biodegradable paint tarps, which are available for $3 at many Lowe’s stores. Or try an all-purpose cotton drop sheet from Reaves, which is made from 90 percent post-consumer recycled content, is washable, and will decompose when you decide it’s time to toss it. Or to avoid having so many drips in the first place, consider purchasing a Drip Catcher.

Moving on to paint trays, you can’t beat a quality, reusable metal paint tray. New models that are coated with Teflon make cleanup even easier—and they’re a cinch to find at stores such as Ace Hardware. Another option: biodegradable disposable paint trays made from recycled pulp fiber from Bio Pulp Works, also available at Lowe’s.

When it comes to paint brushes or rollers, opt for quality, durable supplies that can be washed and reused. Or if disposable is a must, look for options made from recycled materials, such as the Worktools Whizz Green Brush with a renewable bamboo handle and the Whizz Green Roller made from recycled post-consumer waste. Then there’s the Envirobrush, which features disposable bristles that lock into a reusable (and recyclable!) plastic handle.

Once you have your supplies, hop on over to this post on painting basics to study up before you begin. And after the fact, check out our painting cleanup pointers to make life easier. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy your new color!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

My Apartment: Before and After

As I mentioned in a couple of other posts, I just moved to a new apartment—and I love it. It took a few coats of gray, yellow, and teal paint and a couple inexpensive decorating tweaks, but the space is exactly what I wanted: light, sun-filled, hip, and relaxing.

Want to see it? Below are before and after photos to give you a glimpse of all the work that went into making it my home. We’ll post a few projects and design ideas used in my apartment in later posts, so if you’re curious how it was accomplished, keep an eye out for those!

Living Room


Dining Room

Kitchen

Bedroom

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Fixing Winter Paver Damage

I’ll admit it—when I first read what my post for today was supposed to be about, I had to stop and think: What the heck are pavers again? And then I remembered a couple of books I read on them: The Family Handyman: Outdoor Project and The Home Depot’s Patios and Landscape Construction 1-2-3.

If you’re seriously interested in pavers—any piece of material used to build a patio or walkway but, typically, a small concrete or granite block—I recommend purchasing one the above books. They’re both packed with great information, easy-to-follow instructions—so easy that even I can follow them—and plenty of photos for you visual learners out there.

I’m by no means an expert of this subject matter, but I feel a little wiser after reading these books and doing a little research of my own. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Pavers are an ideal material for building a patio or walkway because they’re lightweight, durable, and require no tools. And if you live in a climate with dramatic temperature changes—ahem, Iowa!—pavers are better able to stand temperature abuse than a concrete slab because they can flex, rather than crack, under stress. Although they’re less susceptible to cracking, they can get a little beat up from snow, wind, ice, and rain. However, because they’re individual bricks, they’re easy smeazy to replace and repair.

Start by removing the pavers. You should be able to shimmy a cold chisel or screwdriver underneath and simply pop them out. After you remove all the damaged bricks, you’ll need to level the surface with sand. Spray a small amount of water over the sand and tamp it down with a tamper. (Don’t know what a tamper is? Don’t sweat it—I had to look it up too. It’s a tool used to level and aggregate soil or sand so it’ll resist further compression. You can usually buy one for around $20.00)

Continue to spread sand and tamp until the sand is ever so slightly above the bottom of the surrounding pavers. Now, drop your new pavers into place, starting at a corner and using a rubber mallet to secure them. (You may also want to use a level to keep everything even, and if you find a brick drops below level, you may need to add another layer of sand beneath it.)

Once you have all the new pavers in place, pour or sprinkle mason’s sand over the restored area. Then use a stiff-bristle brush to sweep the sand into cracks and spray the patio with water to firm everything up.

And that’s it! Pretty simple, huh?

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Organize It!: The Bookcase

My bookcase is pretty traditional looking. So you’d expect the books and magazines in it to be in perfect order, right?

Wrong. I wish I could claim an organized, attractive bookcase, but it’s quite the opposite. Because I’m running out of room for my reading materials, I’ve got books stacked vertically with even more books haphazardly piled horizontally on top of those. And there’s not an inch of space to spare, so decorative items are out of the picture (unless you count the lone vase of blue silk hydrangeas standing guard on top of the bookcase).

Needless to say, it’s time to reorganize. And you can bet that I’ll be taking cues from the bookcase in my fellow Home Know-It-All Julie’s home office (featured in the pictures). Are you with me? Here’s how to de-clutter and score a more stylish bookcase:

Sort, sort, sort. First, take an inventory of all your titles. Then organize your books into categories by genre such as reference, biographies, fiction, etc.

After that, if you prefer, sort your books by subject material, and then in alphabetical order by author. Now it’ll be much easier to locate your favorite reads.

If you’ve also got stacks of magazines accumulating, here’s how to whip them in shape in no time.

Shelve smartly. Admittedly, my current method of randomly stuffing books into the shelf is harmful and could cause warping. To prevent warping, shelve same-height books together. Stacking books vertically is the most space-efficient, but be sure to include some horizontal stacks for visual interest. Arranging large books horizontally at the bottom is especially effective because it grounds the bookcase (particularly if you have a tall unit) and protects their covers. If you’re able to adjust the height of each shelf, leave enough space to make re-shelving books easier.

Divide and conquer. If your books are falling off the shelves (and you’ve got enough space to spare), a new bookcase is a worthwhile investment. But if you’re like me, and space is a major issue, it’s time to get creative and determine where else you can display your reading materials. Luckily, it’s not that hard. Really. In my bedroom, for example, I’ve got a handy desk hutch with multiple cubbies. The two larger cubbies are now home to my grammar books and dictionaries. I’ve got a few smaller shelves next to my desk that I plan to convert into book nooks. And the cart in my kitchen happens to have an open shelf, so that’s where I stash my cookbooks. As for oversize books that I can’t cram into my bookcase? If they’re pretty, I display them on my coffee table.

Here’s another space-saving option: Purchase mix-and-match stackable cubes or customized storage units, which you can configure to fit in any room.

Dress it up. Who says your bookcase has to be limited to books? It doesn’t matter whether you have a bare-bones literary collection or your favorite titles are spilling off the shelves. Real Simple shows you how to create a stylish display with tips and tricks such as painting the interior of the unit a bold color. I especially like Julie’s approach to organization: Every other cube is filled with like-size books, and the others contain assorted decorative objects, such as a pretty plate and a vase. These strategically placed items add visual interest. For more design tips, visit the Brown Development blog.

Conceal clutter. Corral smaller objects—such as brochures and booklets and even random paperback—in attractive storage boxes or baskets. (Notice how Julie stores photos and other odds-and-ends in archival photo boxes?) Or create stylish shades that artfully conceal clutter. Try these basic canvas covers or cover your bookcase with coordinating curtains.

What strategies to do you use to organize your reading materials?

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Track Your Energy Use

This week’s Green Around the House Challenge is all about energy. And for good reason. The typical American family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy—and a good portion of that energy is needlessly wasted.

There are plenty of easy steps you can take to reduce your energy use today, including greening your water heater (last week’s challenge), replacing standard incandescent bulbs with CFLs, and
getting rid of phantom loads.

But one of the most important moves you can make is actually tracking how much energy your family uses. It’s the first step to making meaningful changes in energy consumption, which leads to less reliance on fossil fuels, yes, but also reduced energy bills (and more money in your bank account). And it’s effective: studies estimate that just knowing about your household’s energy consumption can lead to a 5 to 15 percent reduction in your energy bill. Hooray for awareness!

A number of gadgets make gauging your energy consumption easy. Some of my favorites include:

• Kill A Watt. To find out which small appliances consume the most energy, plug this device into a power outlet and then plug the appliance (or a small electronic item) into the Kill A Watt. An LCD display on the meter shows electricity consumption so you can calculate how much energy each item uses per day, week, month, or year. (Hint: You can save 50 percent on the purchase of a Kill A Watt if you buy it now at Amazon.com!)

• Power Cost Monitor. Track your home’s electricity use in real time with this easy-to-install digital monitor. An attachment placed on the face of your power meter reads the meter and sends info to a wireless display located inside your house. Once it’s set up, try making an easy energy-saving move, then see how it affects the data on the display. Learn more (and order one) here.

• The Energy Detective (TED). Yet another device for keeping an eye on your home’s energy use, TED can help you save 10 to 20 percent on your energy bill. Simply install a transmitter in your breaker box, plug the display unit into an electric outlet, and you’re ready to get readings on current energy consumption in kilowatts, current energy costs, energy consumed (and how much it costs) this billing cycle, historical data for the past 13 months, and more. The transmitter is so sensitive that you’ll see the jump in energy use simply by turning on a light or opening the refrigerator. Plus you can attach TED to your computer for real-time data logging, graphing, charting, and more using TED Footprints software.

• Google PowerMeter. You already knew you could search the Internet, check your e-mail, and more with Google. But did you know Google can help you monitor your energy use too? It’s true—almost. Google is working on the PowerMeter, which will receive information from utility smart meters and energy management devices to show you your electricity consumption in real-time (for free) right on your iGoogle homepage. It’s still in prototype mode, but guaranteed I’ll be trying it out the second it goes live.

• Home Energy Audit. Performing your own home energy audit (or, better yet, hiring a professional to do one) can give you clues about where exactly you’re losing energy around the house.

What other tools do you find useful for monitoring home energy use? Leave a comment here to share your ideas with your fellow The Home Know-It-All readers!

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Easy Being Green

Here at The Home Know-It-All, we’re all for going green and taking an eco-friendly approach toward life. But today, I’m focusing on a different form of going green—decorating with the color green, to be exact.

Whether you choose happy-go-lucky lime or earthy moss, green is a popular hue—and rightly so. Why, you ask? This nature-inspired hue is probably one of the only colors you can use all around your house (in differing shades, of course) and never tire of. And it’s easy on the eyes. Learn more about what this timeless hue can do for you—and your decorating scheme—here:

A feel-good hue. Green represents balance, prosperity, money, hope, renewal, good luck, longevity, and vitality. Like blue, its cool partner on the color wheel, green elicits a feeling of calm and relaxation (it is the most abundant hue in nature, after all). On the flip side, it’s also associated with jealousy, hence the phrase “green with envy.” Read what else the color green suggests at Inside Essence.

Selecting the right shade. With so many irresistible shades of green out there, it’s hard to settle on just one. (But who says you’re limited to one anyway?) See different ideas for using green in kitchens, baths,, and elsewhere around the house.

Lighter greens—especially those mixed with blue—create an aura of restfulness that’s perfect for spa-like settings (when you pair blue and green, you can create an alluring ocean-like setting). Muted greens, such as sage or olive, work with country-theme décor. Bright greens—such as Kelly, lime, or emerald—are fresh and stylish. Darker greens, such as forest or hunter, are formal and traditional (which is why they’re often used in studies and libraries).

Still can’t settle on the right shade? Lucky for you, greens look great when they’re layered too—this Apartment Therapy story shows several examples of how it’s successfully done.

Going green. We’ve already established that green is a versatile color that looks good in multiple rooms. Take the house of fellow Home Know-It-All Randall’s parents, for example. The kitchen boasts a mossy-sage hue that compliments the rich cabinetry and backsplash, and pops against the white trim. Upstairs, her sister’s bedroom is a playful lime green (which is especially trendy right now) paired with turquoise and purple accents. So you’ve got two completely different shades of green, and each holds its own.

And if you don’t want to commit to a paint job, experiment with inexpensive accessories first, such as these springy drapes from Target ($17.99–$19.99), these pillows from Anthropologie ($58.00 each) and these super-glossy vases from Crate and Barrel ($10.95-$14.95).

Another easy idea? Decorate with houseplants—something that never goes out of style. See more trendy green accessories at Decor8.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

Refrigerator Buying Guide

Here in America, we love our refrigerators.

We’re big on stocking up on food and limiting the number of trips to the grocery store, so it’s important that our fridges are the right size for our needs. (On the flip side, if our fridges are too big, they burn through energy trying to keep everything cool. Don’t believe me? Read this article from Terrapass.) And if you don’t choose the right style for your cooking regimen, you’ll waste energy searching for food or rearranging groceries every chance you get.

This makes selecting a refrigerator one of the most important decisions when planning kitchen design. To make sure you invest in the right style, begin by determining how much space you have. Measure the width and depth of the area, and don’t forget to factor in room for doors—or drawers, as is the case with some models—to open. (After all, what good is a fridge if you can’t open it?)

When you go to the store, look for a model that fits the area with room to spare. Squeezing a fridge into a tight space just won’t work! And consider what you actually need. According to Don Vandervort of Hometips.com, two people need at least 10 cubic feet of refrigerator space, not including the freezer. For each additional family member, add one-and-a-half cubic feet.

You should also look for a style that matches your cooking routine.

Top-mount. With these models, the freezer sits on top of the refrigerator. It’s often smaller than what’s available for other fridge styles, but it puts frozen items at eye level and makes storing horizontal foods like pizzas and cakes easy. (In a side-by-side fridge, the space is often too narrow to fit these items.) If you don’t own a stand-alone freezer, this refrigerator type may be the best option for you because of the more diverse freezer storage options. Bonus: Top-mount refrigerators are often the cheapest variety, and because they’ve been around the longest and all the kinks have been worked out, they’re also the least likely to need costly repairs.

Bottom-mount. The freezer in this fridge variety rests on the bottom. It’s basically a large drawer that can be pulled out for easy access to all freezer items. The refrigerator part of this model sits on top, making it easy to spot and reach more frequently used foods. Have back or knee trouble? You’ll minimizing bending and kneeling with this option. Plus, this fridge style is typically the most energy efficient.

Side-by-side. The freezer and refrigerator in this model are of equal size and directly next to each other. If you commonly need access to both freezer and refrigerator items, or if you currently own a stand-alone freezer to store more bulky items, this fridge type may make the best use of your space.

Compact. These smaller units are often used in dorm rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and home bars. If you’re looking to fill a refrigerator need for only one room, a compact fridge should meet your desires. However, choosing a unit for a dorm room can get difficult because they have to take so much wear and tear and function for a variety of purposes. Check out this buying guide from Campus Grotto for a few tips. 

Built-in. Rather then being installed as a separate unit, built-in refrigerators are constructed to match the style of your kitchen or meet a particular cooking requirement. Although they’re often narrower to match the depth of your cabinets, they’re also often wider, and because they’re custom made, they’re also more expensive. Before choosing this option, consider the higher cost, wider space requirement, and necessity of a particular amenity.

From icemaker/water dispensers to alarms that sound when the door is left open, refrigerators also come with a variety of feature options. The price increases with each component, however, so it’s important to choose which flashy items are necessary. You can choose from adjustable shelves, spill-proof shelves, in-door icemaker/water dispenser, in-door refreshment center, in-door television, separate controls for vegetable/fruit crispers, door or temperature alarms, child lock, quiet operation, or fast-cooling compartments—to name a few. Some features are only available on certain fridge models because of design constraints, so it’s wise to choose features after you’ve chosen your model.

In addition to eyeing refrigerator amenities, you should also look for the ENERGY STAR® label. Considering that your fridge uses 14 percent of your home’s electricity, this decision may be the best one you make when choosing a new refrigerator.

Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All

What We’re Loving: Egg Press Cards

It’s no secret that I love stationery and cards (read about my slight obsession with thank-you notes here). And the next time a birthday or holiday comes up—or I just want to drop someone a line for the heck of it—I think I’ll buy custom-designed letterpress cards from Egg Press.

Why? Egg Press cards are playful, and they feature a variety of fresh geometric patterns, bold colors, and fun themes that are sure to elicit a smile. Every card has a distinct, quirky personality. Case in point: There’s one card with a bunch of different-size stone outlines on the front that says “You Rock.” (It just happens to be their top seller.) And then there’s one covered in hot air balloons that says “You’re Tops.” Love, love, love it!

Recently, Egg Press unveiled a new Moms, Dads, and Grads collection in time for spring. And as you’d expect, they’re all clever. The “Mom” repeat pattern card you see was actually inspired by the owner’s son’s quest for her attention. And then there’s the “Daddi-o” card with, you guessed it, a bunch of blue “O’s” throughout. Fun!

Basically, you’ll find cards for every situation. But Egg Press sells more than cards … you’ll also find paper dolls, children’s apparel, calendars, and stitch kits on their website—and these offerings regularly change.

So now that you know my Egg Press card picks, tell me: What’s your favorite card?

Until Tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All