Picture rails a quick way to change artwork

H ow does one go about hanging a picture from a picture rail?

Picture rails, or moldings that are fixed to the wall for hanging pictures, allow you to adjust your art whenever you please – and they don’t require you to pound nails into the wall.

You can buy the molding, which is inexpensive, at most lumberyards and home centers. Measure the length of your wall, and buy a bit more molding than you need (to make up for any waste during installation).

Installing the molding is simple: Fasten long pieces of molding into your wall studs, mitering the ends to go around jogs or meet in corners. Then give the rail a fresh coat of paint.

Once the rail is up, you’ll need to get some hooks. These are easy enough to find at hardware stores and in catalogs, but you can also find interesting ones at flea markets and yard sales. You’ll also need to attach a pair of D rings on either side of the back of the picture you want to hang (about one-quarter of the way from the top of the frame).

Choosing what you want to hang your picture with is the next step. Fabric cord comes in different colors, so you can select one that coordinates with the color of your wall or the color of the frame. The cord needs to be looped through the D rings and then tied in the center of the back of the frame in a square knot, which is easy to untie and adjust. (Leave extra cord length in case you want to adjust the picture so it hangs lower.)

If you want to use a simple chain instead of fabric cord, attach the chain to the D rings with a small S hook. Ribbon (use grosgrain or twill tape) adds even more decoration to a wall, but you’ll want to use wire with ribbon to provide extra support. Loop the wire through the D rings, and secure at the back of the picture. Then hide the wire with the ribbon.

I have plenty of green tomatoes. Do you have suggestions for cooking them?

When a tomato begins to form, it looks like a deep-green marble. Once it reaches full size, it becomes a lighter, yellowish green and then gradually acquires a pink blush until finally turning red. Coloring continues even after the tomato is picked.

Those tomatoes that are just beginning to blush are great for making fried green tomatoes. They have a mellower flavor than very tart deep-green tomatoes, which are good for pickling and chutney.

Use the sweeter yellowish ones for salsas, or to make this pasta sauce:

Orecchiette with green tomatoes, caramelized onions and corn

2tablespoons unsalted butter

1large Vidalia or other sweet onion, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

2pounds green tomatoes (about 6 medium), coarsely chopped

3tablespoons sugar

1cup fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears)

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

1pound orecchiette or other short, dried pasta, cooked

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, about 6 minutes. Add tomatoes; sprinkle sugar over mixture.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are tender and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Add corn; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is tender and just starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in thyme. Stir mixture into pasta.

Makes six to eight servings.

We just bought a new house, and I’m having a hard time preventing mildew growth. Do you have any tips?

The best way to prevent mildew, which not only creates dark spots on surfaces but also gives off a musty odor, is to deny it what it craves: moisture. Keep surfaces clean, improve air circulation and reduce dampness.

Fans, air conditioning and a dehumidifier can all help. Fixes such as keeping gutters clear and repairing leaky faucets and other sources of moisture, can make a big difference, too.

Try installing an exhaust fan in your bathroom. If you hang your towels from hooks, spread them over two hooks instead of just one so they can dry quickly. Shower curtains should dry quickly and launder easily; ones made of ripstop nylon work well.

Caulking may support mildew growth if water puddles in it. Each day, use a spare hand towel or a squeegee to wipe off excess moisture after the last person has showered.

Margaraet Roach is editor in chief of Martha Stewart Living magazine.

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