Trees can stay fresh through holidays

Time to haul out the ornaments and garlands.

Prefab houses so stylish, evironmentally sound, even Redford likes them

ON THE SHELF: BOOK TOUTS ENERGY SAVINGS OF PREFAB HOMES

Winter organizing tips with a Christian touch

For Deborah McVay-McKinney, organization isn't all about sock drawers and spreadsheets.

Pruning mistake on lilac bush hurts annual blooming

Q: I've had a lilac bush for about five years. Last year I cut it back, and it didn't bloom this year. What did I do wrong?

What does your door say about your personality?

I've been asked the color of my eyes, my mood and even my parachute. But no one's ever asked the color of my front door.

Customize furniture knobs, pulls

Hobby Knobs let you put your own stamp of personality on cabinet doors and dresser drawers.

Q&A: How to keep cats away

Q: I live in a condominium complex that requires pets to be on leashes. My immediate neighbor lets his cats run free, even though the association board sent a notice to all residents informing them the leash rule applies to dogs and cats. His cats sit on my porch and at times have gotten tra…

Bouquets, arrangements color go-local movement

"SLOW FLOWER" MOVEMENT explored

Book shares bloggers' tips for creating with children

The blogosphere has created a new route for sharing all sorts of child-rearing information, and encouraging children's creativity is no exception. Blogger Jenny Doh has combined some of the best of the blogs in "Hand in Hand: Crafting With Kids."

Replace older-style main value but get several estimates first

Q: I live in a condominium that's about 40 years old. A plumber was repairing something the other day, saw that the main water valve had some corrosion and said he thought it should be replaced. Also, he discovered the water pressure was about 85. He said anything above 80 can damage the pip…

Many batteries now can just go in the trash

Q: Where can I dispose of household (non-rechargeable) batteries instead of the trash?

Efficient light bulbs can pose problems with some touch lamps, so check switch

Q: Will the new light bulbs work with touch lamps?

Canadian author shares secret to growing vegetables all year

On the shelf: A book promotes year-round vegetable growing.

Little hands can pull down a disaster, so take care

AKRON, Ohio - Alexandra Errington thought her toddler son was in bed.

Can-do cover-ups: Easy disguises, distractions solve design problems

Just about every home has an eyesore.

Get cracking on that list of things to organize

Chances are good that getting organized was on your list of New Year's resolutions.

Told, 'You can never wash these,' how do you get dirty drapes clean?

Q: A few years ago, I bought sheer off-white drapes for my family room. I had a stripe of dark red grosgrain ribbon sewn on the inner edge of each panel to tie in with the colors in the room. When the drapes were delivered, the woman said, "By the way, you can never wash these, or the red dy…

Commercial mold remover, vinegar clean dehumidifier

Q: How do you clean the water container of a dehumidifier? I have faithfully emptied the containers of my Amana dehumidifiers every day, but they still have a slimy buildup in the bottom. I tried pouring bleach into the container and scrubbing.

Home in on your style choices with pocket book

On the shelf: House Beautiful book helps you fine-tune your style

Anyone can do these special home projects

Modularity Tiles make instalLation easy

Strategies to help you rest easy

I've been lying down on the job.

System harvests rainwater and looks good doing it

GREEN, Ohio - Karen and Bill Hoffman's new waterfall has a serious side.

Bedbugs 101: It's not an easy class

Bedbug reports have sent people scurrying for relief.

Try fine steel wool to remove plastic marks from dresser

Q: I had a pair of slipper socks that had rubber dots on the bottom. I put them on top of my wooden dresser and then put some clothes on top. I now have about six little circles on my good dresser. I have tried Goo Gone, furniture polish, etc., and nothing will take off that residue. Any sug…

Basin feeders for hummers keep bees away

Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to keep bees away from my hummingbird feeders?

Farming: The new urban adventure

AKRON, Ohio - Karmi James and Jeff Boni brought little more than interest to their urban gardening venture.

Terrariums making a stylish comeback

ON THE SHELF: TERRARIUMS MAKE THEIR RETURN

Sewing book, lighter, painting advice make home projects simpler

BOOK ON SEWING FOR ALL LEVELS

Quilter shares her system for sorting, storing squares

After Joan Ford watched her friends plunder a stash of fabric that had been donated to her quilting group after a quilter's death, she developed ScrapTherapy, a system for storing all those leftovers and using them in new projects.

Deep blue is big, very big, in home decor

Blue is back.

Many lighting fixtures can be made compatible with CFL and LED bulbs

Q: I would like to replace the light bulbs in my outdoor fixtures with compact fluorescent light bulbs, but my fixtures all have photo eyes that turn them on and off. Every CFL bulb I have found says it can't be used in fixtures with photo eyes. Do you know of any that can?

How plants changed the world

BOOK PROFILES PLANTS' HISTORY

As you change bulbs, start thinking lumens, not watts

Q: Some lighting fixtures have a wattage limit. Is this true of fluorescent bulbs? If so, how do I equate the maximum allowable in fluorescent bulbs?

Why dishwasher doesn't clean as it did

Q: I washed a load in my dishwasher using a new box of Cascade powdered detergent, and my dishes didn't come out as clean as usual. The biggest problem was with my aluminum pressure cooker, which came out spotted and discolored. I called Procter & Gamble and was told all manufacturers ar…

Mineral spirits will undo wax

Q: I used to use Jubilee wax on my Formica countertops. The wax has since yellowed. How can I remove it?

Tracking pet feeding, meds, exercise

DOG-e-MINDER TRACKs PET

Indulge your senses sans the calories

What's new: Arhaus candles smell like chocolate, vanilla

It takes time, planning, culling and sorting

Organizing a garage involves more than cleaning it out and putting things back in neater piles. It requires culling your possessions and devising a plan for handling what's left.

Cooktops shine with right glass cleaners

Q: I just purchased and had installed a black-glass Maytag cooktop. It looks beautiful - from across the room in the dark! When I turn on the overhead lights or the vent lights, every streak, every swirl, every swipe I made with either a paper towel or a soft rag shows up. I've purchased the…

Extra fabric can be crafted into a handsome cat bed

Crafty types looking for gift ideas - or just projects to use up their fabric scraps - will find inspiration in "One-Yard Wonders."

Laundry myths debunked

A new 'Not So Big' book out

Sarah Susanka changed the way we think about home building with her landmark book "The Not So Big House" (Taunton, $32).

Book sees parallels between art, gardening

The shelf: Book unites painting, gardens

Phillips folks selling cool tool

What's new: Sharp new tool has many uses

These plates, cups can be composted

Labor-savers can be Earth-savers, too.

New type of grass seed requires less water

What's new: New grass needs less water

Animal shelters benefit most from gifts of cash

Q I realize this is not their fault, but the animal shelters are always full and not taking any more animals. So if I see a stray animal, I feel there is nothing I can do since I can't take them there. Would any of the shelters consider taking strays for a fee? — K., Akron, Ohio