Home and Garden

Gerry is a standup comedian with a schedule that is no laughing matter. He recently got married, moved into a new home and had a baby — all while playing the comedy circuit and participating in the hit series “Last Comic Standing.” Needless to say, his busy lifestyle didn’t leave him much time to work on his new house, and his family room was in desperate need of help.

Many of today’s single-family houses, condo units and apartments allow their owners to tailor interiors to reflect lifestyle choices and aesthetic preferences. Large, undivided rooms in these homes present opportunities for multifunctional arrangements.

Silver asparagus servers shaped like asparagus, fish servers that resemble fishing nets, grape shears with grapevine handles and many other unusual silver serving pieces have been made since the 19th century.

: I recently put up some wallpaper in my living room, and now I wish I had just painted. The paper is already separating, peeling and bubbling in a few areas. What is causing this to happen and how can I prevent it next time? — Becky J.

Over the years I have probably read hundreds of home magazines, ads and catalogs; visited hundreds of showrooms and stores; and, in general, passed a great amount of time being fully absorbed by home furnishings.

As gardeners and weekend warriors, we do so much to beautify our lawns and landscapes. But in the process of planting, pruning and ongoing maintenance, we generate a great deal of waste. Sadly, much of that ends up in the landfill. Of the total landfill volume, estimates list the percentage of compostable waste from yard debris at about 12 percent. When you think about the size of most landfills around the country, that’s a lot of material that simply doesn’t need to be there.

My friends know that when I’m in a black mood, it means I’m ready to add sophisticated style and a splash of panache to a room by practicing a little black magic. I adore black and use touches of it to add depth, interest and contrast to every room in my home. If you haven’t yet dabbled with the dark side, here are a few reasons to give black a second look when you’re decorating.

: I have a swamp cooler that no longer works. It blows air, but the air is not cool. The unit used to make a trickling noise but no longer does. What can be done to bring the cool air back?

From now until mid-October is the best time of year for planting most trees and shrubs and overseeding lawns.