Home & Garden

Among designers, retailers and homeowners, there's little consensus on where home decor and design are headed except that the watchword will be "ease."Whatever our personal style may look like — whether we embrace the past, with traditional...... Full story

KANSAS CITY, Mo. • Since we were cave dwellers, the hearth has been the heart of the home. Over time, fireplaces naturally became the focal point in the family room, dressed up with elaborate moldings and ornamental mantels.Fireplaces have also...... Full story

Going away this winter? Here are some close-the-house-down tips:• Turn off the main water valve in the basement.• Open hot and cold faucets in the lowest sink to relieve the pressure.• Turn off the water heater — including the...... Full story

Winter may mean quiet and still gardens for most, but winter just means a different look at the Denver Botanic Gardens, at both the York Street and Chatfield locations. And it’s not too late to catch the annual displays of electrical magic at...... Full story

PUYALLUP, Wash. • After chasing the perfect Christmas tree for three decades, Gary Chastagner could be getting close.The scientist some call “Mr. Christmas Tree” has already conquered conifer diseases, developed guidelines to keep...... Full story

ST. LOUIS • Craft Mom Julia Sandvoss of South St. Louis County, Mo., is an expert at easy holiday projects. This week, she brings us a winter house.“When I go shopping I notice a lot of winter houses, but sometimes they are a little too...... Full story

Anthony Schmitt looks at shopping carts and sees something more than an everyday symbol of consumer culture. For the last 14 years, the artist and designer has used carts to build a 33-foot-tall holiday tree at the Frank O. Gehry-designed Edgemar...... Full story

Dear Ken: We moved into a new home a short while ago. The main heating ducts make a cracking and popping sound when the furnace comes on. Do we have to live with this?RichardYou may have to live with some of it, but there are ways to minimize the...... Full story

WASHINGTON • There are many remarkable aspects to the sweet life that Eric and Gloria Sundback have built together around the Christmas tree.The Sundbacks have furnished live trees to generations of Washingtonians, lately the Obamas at 1600...... Full story

Landscape and gardening books are handy sources of inspiration that make perfect holiday gifts for the gardener on your list. Here is a selection of the best works from this year’s bumper crop of books:“American Horticultural Society New...... Full story

It’s thrilling to get a package in the mail, but not so great if the box looks as though it has been through the mulcher. Here are ways to make sure your holiday gifts get to their destinations in one piece:THE BOXUse a sturdy corrugated...... Full story

Candles create a festive glow for celebrations. With the recent introduction of battery-operated candles, there is more variety than ever in craft stores, department stores and even grocery stores.Many manufacturers tout soy as a natural alternative...... Full story

Dear Ken: I have newer vinyl windows in my house. Lately we’ve been noticing excess condensation on the sills. What could be going on?LynnYou’re either producing more moisture than the house can handle, or you need more ventilation. Your...... Full story

You don’t have to leave home to create one-of-a-kind gift wrap that will set your packages apart. Turn plain brown grocery bags into stunning wraps using scraps of paper found around the house and a few simple tools. There’s no need to...... Full story

If you plan to buy a cut Christmas tree at a garden center or a tree lot this year, there's no need to wait to buy it, even if you don't want to put it up yet. Because the trees are already cut, they will not be getting any fresher. So bring the...... Full story