msnbc.com: Home & Garden

Smoke alarms, tea kettles, basketballs recalled

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:05:14 GMT

About 94,000 smoke alarms, 142,000 tea kettles, 92,000 basketballs and 130 hooded jackets and pullover sweatshirts for girls have been recalled because they pose risks to consumers.

Video: How safe is the lock on your door?

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 12:05:36 GMT

July 8: Consumer reporter Janice Lieberman exposes an easy way that thieves are breaking into homes and shows you how to protect your home and family. (Today Show)

Video: Same space, different take

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 15:13:50 GMT

July 8: Interior designer Richard Mishaan shows you how to get a fresh look at home with items you already own. (Today Show)

Video: The best mosquito repellents

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 15:25:10 GMT

July 7: TODAY consumer reporter Janice Lieberman exposes her skin to hundreds of mosquitoes to find out which repellents work best. (Today Show)

Tweet! Tweet! How to attract songbirds at home

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 22:31:49 GMT

Backyard bird watching is a fairly simple exercise. Provide enough food, water and cover, and birds will come flocking. Playing favorites, though, calls for using the right kinds of incentives.

Video: Banned drain covers still used in public pools

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:09:29 GMT

July 6: Thousands of public swimming pools across the country are still using drain covers that are so dangerous they were banned by the government last year. NBC’s senior investigative correspondent Lisa Myers reports. (Today Show)

240,000 in-wall electronic timers recalled

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:40:13 GMT

About 240,000 Intermatic in-wall electronic timers have been recalled. The product might pose a shock hazard to consumers trying to replace its battery.

Video: DIY dos and don’ts

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:20:46 GMT

June 25: George Oliphant, host of LXTV’s “Open House,” shows you which home renovation tasks are better left for the experts, and which ones you can do yourself. (Today Show)

Grow kids’ interest in gardening with these tips

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:18:03 GMT

These are boom times for home gardening, but as many parents know, it still isn't easy to get kids interested and involved. One way, experts say, is to teach children how to cook what they help harvest from the family garden.

Rats! They’re on your turf. Now what?

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:09:43 GMT

Unless you're of a live-and-let-live philosophy, a rat infiltration calls for a speedy counterattack. From traps and fumes to “killer mashed potatoes,” here are brave options for DIY rodent-busting.

Video: Getting along with your neighbors

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:47:19 GMT

June 24: Glamour magazine’s Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, real estate agent Jason Saft and Ebony magazine’s Harriette Cole discuss ways to ease tensions with your neighbors. (Today Show)

Video: Creating a family-friendly living room

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:12:57 GMT

June 23: Elizabeth Mayhew, author of “Flip! for Decorating,” shares tips on creating a comfortable space for you and your family. (Today Show)

Video: Bedroom makeovers on a budget

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:06:08 GMT

June 19: HGTV’s Kim Myles shares tips on redecorating your home without breaking the bank. (Today Show)

Images: Go inside 7 celebrity closets

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:31:23 GMT

Which reality-TV star owns over 500 pairs of jeans? Which heiress boasts over 200 handbags? InStyle.com profiles the envy-inducing wardrobes of Fergie, Eva Longoria Parker, Paula Abdul and more.

Buying (and styling) your childhood home

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:54:56 GMT

Some people who end up moving back to their childhood homes say it's a good deal or a way to honor parents' attachment to the home. Others simply feel the pull of the place where they grew up.

Video: Quick fixes for your home

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:32:49 GMT

July 16: Stephanie Prommer from Woman’s World magazine shows you some easy home fixes you can do yourself. (Today Show)

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Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:32:49 GMT

Video: Hot summer toys

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:25:22 GMT

June 11: Elizabeth Werner, chief toy officer for iVillage, shows off some of the season’s best toys for kids. (Today Show)

Danger in the yard: Toxic plants pose pet threat

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:55:23 GMT

Some of the most common, and beautiful, ornamental plants can be deadly for pets. Among the most dangerous are azaleas, rhododendron, oleander, foxglove and lily of the valley.

Images: Inside Hollywood celebrities’ homes

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 17:09:46 GMT

Which A-list couple renews vows each year at their beach house? Which singer turned a temperature-controlled wine room into a haven for a guitar collection? InStyle.com profiles the envy-inducing homes of Jessica Alba, Heidi Klum, Miley Cyrus and more.

Video: Making the perfect bed

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:00:32 GMT

June 10: Winsome Williams, named top room attendant from Westin Hotels, shows TODAY’s Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford how to make a heavenly bed. (Today Show)

Fireflies disappearing? Say it isn’t true!

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 22:09:12 GMT

Firefly populations may be dwindling — but you may be able to lend these magical insects a helping hand. Here's how to entice the insects to give you a light show in your own yard and help scientists track fireflies' whereabouts.

Video: Toys for outdoor fun

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 14:14:55 GMT

June 9: Stephanie Oppenheim from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio shows TODAY’s Al Roker some of the hot new toys that will keep your kids busy this summer. (Today Show)

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Tue, 9 Jun 2009 14:14:55 GMT

Your junk, their treasure: 11 garage sale tips

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 13:46:24 GMT

The summer season is the perfect time to get rid of your clutter and make some money. Sue Whitney, author of "Junk Beautiful: Outdoor Edition," shares tips for having a successful garage sale.

Want to fix up the house? Pick doable DIY tasks

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 17:53:43 GMT

Home improvement projects can be great fun and a real money-saver. But choosing wisely and planning carefully are the keys to avoiding a DIY disaster.

10 ways to minimize the misery of allergies

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 16:16:34 GMT

Allergies are the result of an immune system run amok. Here are 10 ways you can minimize the misery, right in your own home.

11 unexpected allergy culprits

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 19:38:07 GMT

The spring allergy season has sprung, but don’t blame your watery eyes and runny nose entirely on pollen.

8 health risks in your own backyard

Mon, 25 May 2009 16:29:18 GMT

Is your warm-weather oasis an accident waiting to happen?

Video: Decorating your house on a dime

Mon, 18 May 2009 14:16:55 GMT

May 18: TODAY contributor Elizabeth Mayhew shares some simple tricks for transforming your home without spending a lot of money. (Today Show)

Gallery: Your favorite outdoor memories

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 22:30:25 GMT

From fishing to sunbathing on the beach, TODAYShow.com readers share their most cherished memories from the outdoors.

Video: Home repairs you shouldn’t ignore

Tue, 5 May 2009 14:09:30 GMT

May 5: Bob Markovich from Consumer Reports magazine tells TODAY’s Al Roker about some important home repairs that will save you money in the future. (Today Show)

Video: Avoiding furniture tip-over accidents

Mon, 4 May 2009 13:32:22 GMT

May 4: A new study highlights the increasing number of accidents caused by furniture tipping over and injuring young children. Home expert Lou Manfredini gives tips on protecting your children. (Today Show)

Video: New uses for old appliances

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:02:04 GMT

April 30: Aida Mollenkamp from Chow.com shows you how to turn old kitchen appliances into useful items. (Today Show)

Video: Solutions for desperate yards

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:20:13 GMT

April 29: Jason Cameron, host of “Desperate Landscapes,” shows TODAY’s Meredith Vieira some easy ways to fix up your yard. (Today Show)

Video: Healthy uses for household items

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:55:06 GMT

April 27: Author Julie Edelman shows the TODAY hosts quick tips for using household items in helpful ways. (Today Show)

Use the bargain bin for a backyard makeover

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:32:24 GMT

In "Junk Beautiful: Outdoor Edition," junk collector Sue Whitney offers tips to transform trash into outdoor accessories. Here, she shares examples of creative ways to make junk usable again.

Video: From pre-fab to fab

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:21:52 GMT

April 21: Frank Fontana, host of HGTV’s “Design on a Dime,” shows you how to turn pre-fabricated furniture into show-stopping statements. (Today Show)

Video: No-money home makeovers

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:57:59 GMT

April 10: TODAY lifestyle editor Elizabeth Mayhew gives tips on re-styling your home without spending a dime. (Today Show)

Video: Should you keep it or junk it?

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:00:46 GMT

April 10: Four experts weigh in on which household items you should salvage and which you should toss out. (Today Show)

Video: Surprising ways to clean

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 14:06:16 GMT

April 9: Kristin van Ogtrop of Real Simple magazine shows TODAY’s Al Roker how to use natural, nontoxic products to clean your home. (Today Show)

Video: Making crafts with Martha

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 13:16:12 GMT

April 8: Domestic guru Martha Stewart shows TODAY’s Meredith Vieira the simple steps to marbleizing. (Today Show)

Shipping containers converted into homes

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 15:23:23 GMT

With the housing market down and foreclosures way up, building a new home might not be the first thing on people's mind, but a Salt Lake City-based company has a new kind of home in mind.

Fighting the recession, armed with seeds

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 20:07:55 GMT

As paychecks shrink in tandem with rising prices at the grocery store, more Americans are growing their own food in their backyards, in shared community-run gardens and even on their windowsills.

Go green! Drink wine from old windshields

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:18:15 GMT

Want to let green design heat up your kitchen? GreenDAY’s Marisa Belger highlights cool products — from a bike-chain bottle opener to recycled glassware — that will lend a quirky, modern feel to your cooking space.

Video: What’s hot in housewares

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:18:03 GMT

March 30: Consumer lifestyle expert Sissy Biggers shows off some new household products that will make your life more productive. (Today Show)

Video: Build your own backyard retreat

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:12:24 GMT

March 30: Jason Cameron, host of DIY’s “Desperate Landscapes,” gives tips on turning your backyard into a tropical paradise. (Today Show)

Video: Grow your own veggie garden

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:16:46 GMT

March 27: Gardening expert P. Allen Smith gives tips on growing your own vegetable garden. (Today Show)

Fruits of labor: How to grow an edible garden

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:42:24 GMT

Why grow produce? For starters, it’s an easy way to save money — that $2 tomato plant can provide you with 10 pounds of fruit over the course of a season. Here, Better Homes and Gardens explains how to cultivate your own backyard.

First lady breaks ground on 'kitchen garden'

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:18:21 GMT

Twenty-six elementary schoolchildren wielded shovels, rakes, pitchforks and wheelbarrows to help first lady Michelle Obama break ground on a produce and herb garden on the White House grounds.

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Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:18:21 GMT

Victory gardens are truly back — Ask Kitty

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:03:27 GMT

85-year-old columnist Kitty Schindler wasn’t surprised when readers responded enthusiastically to her call for a return to the victory gardens of her youth. But she was surprised at how quickly first lady Michelle Obama took up the movement.