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Probably not. While furniture doesn’t have an expiration date like packaged foods, most consumers no longer purchase home furnishings with the plan that they will last forever. Changing tastes, a more mobile society, and more furniture price range options come together to create a new average lifespan of furniture. The life expectancy of most pieces vary by a number of years and is greatly dependent on the original materials used and construction of the pieces, the amount of daily use, and the amount of care taken during the use of the furniture....

What Happens When You Winter-Prune Holly When you winter-prune a shrub that blooms on old wood, such as holly, you are potentially cutting back on the number of flowers that will appear on the plant during the following growing season. The trade-off can be worthwhile because you are choosing a time to prune that is safe for the plant and it may rejuvenate it. This may be the case if you’re pruning overgrown holly bushes that are deciduous....

The Convenience Factor While it can be positioned pretty much anywhere, if you do have a pool, it makes sense to install it nearby. When it gets cool, swimmers like to soak in the hot tub and appreciate the short walk it takes to get there when it’s right near the pool. From a plumbing and electricity standpoint, it also makes sense to locate a pool and spa near each other....

Whole House Fan vs. Attic Fan: Major Differences While a whole house fan and an attic fan perform similar functions—both help to ventilate and cool down a house—there is one major difference: the areas they address. A whole house fan draws out air from the entire house and deposits it in the attic. An attic fan draws out air from just the attic and sends it outside. Whole House Fan A whole house fan is an electrically powered fan that pulls fresh air through all of the home’s windows and sends it into the attic....

There are two types of fuel when it comes to wood-burning stoves: firewood and wood pellets. There is, of course, the traditional wood-burning fireplace, but when it comes to wood fuel, this is just the beginning of the options. Compared to the traditional wood heat stove or fireplace, the pellet stove is a different breed altogether. There are important comparisons to note before making your buying decision. Differences Between Wood Heat and Pellets Both types of stoves produce a comfortable dry radiant heat....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Mycteria americanaCommon Name: Wood Stork, Wood Ibis, StorkLifespan: 11-18 yearsSize: 35-45 inchesWeight: 5.5-7 poundsWingspan: 55-70 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Wood Stork Identification The thick, gray-brown bill with a stout structure and pinkish or reddish decurved tip is the most characteristic feature of wood storks, but there are other identification traits worth noticing. Genders are similar, though males tend to be slightly larger and heavier than females. The head and neck are covered in bare skin that ranges from pale brown-gray to darker gray-black, and often has a cracked or scaly appearance....

Equipment to Identify Wrens The proper equipment is essential for easy wren identification. Supplies that can help you identify wrens include: Binoculars: Good birding binoculars suitable for low light or shadowy conditions can be helpful with wren identification since these birds often stay hidden in brush or foliage while foraging. A wide field of view can be useful to help track the birds as they move, and a large magnification will enhance the subtle field marks of these tiny birds for better viewing....

There’s an assumption that xeriscape gardens are mainly succulents, grasses, and stones, but there are many creative approaches to this method of gardening. A number of elements should be considered when designing xeriscaped gardens, such as grouping plants according to their water needs, creating irrigation systems, and choosing the best type of mulch. There are many options for choosing plants to help you create gorgeous, dynamic xeriscape gardens. Powerfully fragrant, its use in aromatherapy and perfumery is legendary, and it’s the main ingredient in the seasoning mixture “Herbes de Provence....

So, we turned on *NSYNC and turned to the professionals to ask: but why? And if you want to incorporate elements of the Y2K aesthetic, how? It’s All About the Nostalgia “The resurgence of Y2K interior trends is rooted in nostalgia,” says James Waylett of Jacobs & Dalton. But even if it’s a look back at our recent past, fans today are putting a new spin on things. “The new Gen Z take on the Y2K trend has been transformed,” Waylett says....

Fortunately, there is a method for understanding how Ikea operates, and here are some tips to ease you along in your Ikea shopping experience. Before You Arrive While the hype around Ikea is well-earned, a first-time visitor to an Ikea store may feel a little overwhelmed by the large stores, multiple floors, cafeteria, and organizational system. It helps to browse Ikea’s website before you arrive, so you have an idea of the areas you want to visit or the items you want to see in their showrooms....

That’s why it can help to break things down through a step-by-step guide, from shopping to installation. Here are 10 essential tips for decorating with a chandelier, with some fresh, “I didn’t think of that!” pieces of advice along the way. Start by Browsing Websites and Visiting Shops When it comes to choosing a chandelier, it’s important to cast your net wide. There are near-limitless lighting options out there nowadays, but you can start with thinking about the design of the room where you intend to hang the chandelier....

And the best part about it is that there are a ton of different ways to incorporate it so it’s suitable for any and every style sensibility. You can opt for a small but bold statement wall, you can paper your entire home floor-to-ceiling, or you can incorporate the ever-popular removable wallpaper that you switch and swap with the changing seasons. The point is, the wallpaper possibilities are endless. And the spaces below will give you all the inspiration you need to make this trend your very own....

Luckily, zone 4 gardeners do have delicious options in apple and pear varieties and other fruit tree choices to plant and enjoy. USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Mature Size: 20 feetSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 9Mature Size: 12 to 15 feetSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Mature Size: 25 feetSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Well-drained Ciprian Miresan/Getty Images...

Color Family: VariousComplementary Colors: VariousPairs Well With: NeutralsMood: Cozy, comfortable, relaxing, moodyWhere to Use: Interior walls, ceilings, doors, cabinetry, furniture Here are 10 picks for paint colors that are perfect for any man cave.

And there’s a bonus to purchasing vintage suitcases—they can work as double-duty decor pieces, offering storage for items like blankets, mugs, or even TV remotes. If you’re not visiting a vintage shop or flea market anytime soon, you can scour the internet for all types of suitcases—tattered or perfect condition, valises or steamer trunks, striped or solid. They can run from $10 to upwards of $4,000 for the Louis Vuitton variety....

Philartphace / Getty Images Mild: Warm water mixed with dishwashing detergent is an effective grease-cutter. Scrubbing with table salt provides a mild abrasive. Moderate: Dishwashing detergent, ammonia, and pumice step up the cleaning game. Ammonia is a stronger grease-cutter and pumice is a harsher abrasive. Strong: Thickly blackened chimney bricks may require cleaning with hot water and tri-sodium phosphate (TSP).

Buying vintage furniture is a little different from your usual garage sale or thrift store shopping because you are not looking for just any used furniture, but furniture from a specific era. To qualify as real vintage furniture, it should be at least 30 to 40 years old. Anything more than 100 years old qualifies as antique. Buying Vintage Online Besides looking in vintage stores, browse online. You’ll find an abundance of vintage furniture websites that specialize in different eras, along with more general auction sites that have all kinds of pieces and furniture from several eras....

If you’re hesitant about using borax for your green cleaning due to health and safety concerns, read on to find safer, greener, and more effective substitutes. Ahead, 12 ways you can switch out borax for another toxic-free ingredient. Instead of borax, use a paste of baking soda and water to clean the fridge, and then use a rag or sponge to rinse it off well with water. A multipurpose lemon and lime spray is another recommendation; this mixture uses fresh citrus juices and vinegar....

And when it comes to affordable seasonal decor, it doesn’t get any better than IKEA. This year, their fall-inspired decor doesn’t disappoint—from cozy throw blankets to perfectly-scented candles to dried florals, it’s a one-stop shop for making your home perfectly fall-ready.