Home and Garden
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I don't need air conditioning, and neither do youAug 19, 2016 6:00 am - It's time to come out of the closet. Or, more precisely, the sweat lodge. My family lives without air conditioning, except for one antique, semi-comatose window unit tha...
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Foundation issue should be evaluated by engineerAug 19, 2016 5:00 am - Q. We nearly sold our 30-year-old home after spending $20,000 on a remodel. The buyers were happy with it until their home inspector reported half an inch of foundation ...
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Slip-and-fall accident may be covered by homeowner's insuranceAug 19, 2016 5:00 am - Most homeowner's insurance policies pay when someone gets hurt while visiting your home, but there are limits on the coverage. Q. My sister slipped and fell at a neighbo...
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A new homeowner 'marriage penalty' in the tax code?Aug 19, 2016 5:00 am - WASHINGTON - Does the federal tax code now favor unmarried partners when it comes to deducting mortgage interest on jointly owned houses with supersized mortgages? Can c...
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Ask a Designer: Homes that are kid- and grownup-friendlyAug 18, 2016 6:00 am - For new parents, the urge to keep little ones entertained and enriched can often lead to a home so full of baby gear and toys that grown-up style all but disappears. It ...
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Advice for gardeners of all skill levels: Err on the side of errorsAug 18, 2016 6:00 am - When you are a beginning gardener, a lot of what you learn is by trial and error. And when you have been gardening for many years, the exact same thing is true. First, l...
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Repeat winners in Des Plaines Curb Appeal contestAug 18, 2016 1:00 am - Michael Fedirko and Sam Cook's Des Plaines home has such great curb appeal, they're repeat winners in an annual citywide home improvement competition. The residents of 1...
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Create your own private spaceAug 14, 2016 6:01 am - We are smack in the middle of summer, and everyone enjoys having some outdoor respite at the end of a warm day. For those living in tiny places, the space challenge can ...
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New varieties of hydrangeas come to marketAug 14, 2016 6:00 am - The world of hydrangeas is expanding by leaps and bounds. Just when we think plant breeders have exhausted the possibilities, another new variety is introduced. How can ...
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Keep flowering baskets healthy with supplemental fertilizerAug 13, 2016 11:00 pm - If the plants growing in your containers or baskets are looking stunted or have leaves that are yellowing, then they may need supplemental fertilizer. The frequent water...