• With these temperature swings, only strong flowers survive

  By Burt Constable Updated May 14, 2013 12:09 PM Shutting off the heat and switching on the air-conditioning? Plants at Morton Arboretum in Lisle tried to fight off a freeze early Monday morning but will bask in 80-degree temperatures today. "All those hanging baskets people get for Mother's Day, if...

• Water and fire features on the upswing for outdoor living Updated May 13, 2013 3:57 PM

  No matter where you go in the country, fire and water features are uppermost on homeowners' back yard wish lists. National studies show that fire features rank No. 1 among homeowners, while water features come in at No. 4, according to Mike Haumersen,...

• Electronic toilet features may bowl you over Posted May 12, 2013 1:02 AM

  Q. I'm remodeling my bathroom and plan on installing a new toilet. My question: Do they make a toilet with bidet features?

• Make room for the walk-in pantry Posted May 11, 2013 5:00 AM

  If you're wondering where the best kitchen storage went, blame the breakfast nook. Of course, pantries predate Ikea kitchen options. They date back centuries, according to the Encyclopedia of Food and Culture, which puts culinary history in...

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