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THE LATEST
Drab to Dramatic

If you’ve lived in the desert Southwest for a long time, drab cinder block walls are a given. But there are homeowners who are tired of looking at them, and instead are opting for mountain vistas, beach scenes and gardens.

Local events

Aug. 30

Follow these six steps to create a new look in rooms

Dear Gail: We’ve just moved into a new home and we’re stumped on how to arrange the furniture in our living and family rooms. My husband just wants me to put everything where it was in our old house, but I’d like a new look and mix things up. Where do I start? — Monet

Keep that roof over your head — literally

Most of us have heard the phrase “keeping a roof over our heads.” For many homeowners, that’s a literal concern. Household roofs experience weathering, falling debris, and wind or water damage.

Must-have technology is making bathrooms healthier, safer

Think home technology begins with your wireless, programmable thermostat and ends with the high-definition, 3-D, Web-enabled flat-screen TV with surround sound? Think again. Whole home technology means using leading-edge devices to improve life in every room of the house, including the bathroom.

Poison rings are still in fashion

Poison rings play a part in a lot of murder mysteries. Adversaries were removed with a flick of a ring cover over a glass of wine.

Fertilize oleanders to help them thrive

Q: I have two pink dwarf oleanders planted in 18-inch clay pots that have very healthy-looking foliage but very few blossoms. One of my gardener friends says oleanders don’t like pots. Another says I’m watering too much. Do you have any suggestions that might get some me some blossoms?

How clean is Las Vegas’ water?

The Las Vegas Valley Water District said it conducted 320,000 analyses on more than 55,000 water samples from Lake Mead and other storage reservoirs.