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For instance, if you are putting in a deck or installing a fence, it’s necessary to find a type of wood that is resistant to water, rot, and insects. Otherwise, you may be replacing the deck or fence in just a few months. Similarly, when you are building furniture or putting in a new floor, it’s a good idea to research the type of wood you are using in order to make an informed decision about your construction materials....

Whether you’re inspired by the night sky or intrigued with the worlds that lie beyond our own, these 18 amazing space-themed nurseries and kids’ rooms may be the perfect fit for the junior space explorer at the center of your universe. The stunning constellation mural, understated accessories, and arty orbit-inspired light fixture give the room a distinct theme without losing an ounce of sophistication, and the bold black and white rug makes the perfect statement in an otherwise subtle space....

Also, consider whether you can commit extra time to a high-maintenance tree. If you don’t have time to water it daily, think about an easy indoor tree that can take a little neglect. One of the easiest plants to care for is a small jade tree; it only needs water once every couple of weeks and doesn’t grow large if you’re limited by available space. Perhaps you’re challenged by having a room with low light; you could consider a tree like a lady palm since it can tolerate low light....

For many kids, the daily drudgery of homework can start as early as kindergarten. And it’s not just the kids who dread those daily assignments. Homework can be a stressful affair for parents too, leaving them as tired and frustrated as their kids as they scramble to make room and find supplies. But while homework is a fact of life, the daily chaos that all too often results doesn’t have to be....

Beeswax candles are best known for their warm golden color, hexagonal pattern, and subtle honey scent, but there is a lot more to them. They act as a natural air purifier and are the cleanest, longest-burning candles, producing a bright, warm-toned flame as they burn. They burn with no smoke and give off very little scent. Beeswax is a natural byproduct of beekeeping and, because it is biodegradable, candles made of beeswax are a great eco-friendly choice that benefits both your home and the environment....

The built-in, upholstered window seats common today are a modern evolution of the small free-standing benches that people began placing beneath their sash windows centuries ago. If you don’t have the budget or the space for a built-in, you can improvise a window seat using a wood or upholstered bench or loveseat of any style or period. Just pay attention to proportion to make sure that the window seat fits seamlessly beneath your window of choice, and style it to suit your needs by adding throw pillows, a cozy blanket, or a reading light....

Anyone, even a beginner, can create these DIY wall art projects. Some of them look quite impressive but they are all easy projects that can be completed by just about anyone. They’re quick too, so you’ll have a new piece of artwork on your wall in an afternoon. Thrifted Canvas Wall Art from Savvy Apron Large Scale Wall Art from Making Home Base Paper Shapes from Sugar & Cloth Rainbow Color Block from At Home With Ashley Large Scaled Art from Delineate Your Dwelling Floral Anthropologie Style Wall Art from A Piece of Rainbow Gold Leaf Splatter from Lovely Indeed Watercolor Wall Art from Sugar & Cloth Dried Flowers in Keepsake Frames from Studio DIY!...

Blanketing your interior with an all-white Christmas decor scheme can feel elegant and ethereal or crisp and contemporary depending on how you approach it. Keep in mind that styling a white room requires finesse and attention to detail in order to make it feel warm, inviting, and festive. Make your white Christmas decor shine by mixing materials; layering in textures; accessorizing with mirrors, metallics, and natural elements; and ensuring that it is well lit to create a magical mood....

If it gets messy or broken, toss it in the recycle bin and make a new one. Smaller bottles, cut the same way, are great for separating and holding nails, screws, and other small pieces. You can even label the outside with a permanent marker for quick access. Simply cut off the top and bottom of the bottle and discard them in the recycle bin. Slit the remaining circle of plastic so it will lie flat....

It is related to the more common spotted deadnettle. Yellow archangel’s shade tolerance makes it a good choice for use in woodland gardens. A clump-forming plant, it reaches one to three feet in height, with a similar spread. The variegation on the plant takes the form of irregularly shaped silver splotches throughout the leaf with a jagged edge. The flowers form in bunches, growing in a ring around the stem....

When grown indoors, the plants rarely produce flowers. Dracaena are appreciated for their foliage, which is often variegated. Unless you are a dracaena aficionado, many of the varieties look similar, and the only distinguishing factor may be the price. Common dracaena varieties such as the snake plant (D. trifascita) are available at big box stores while other, rare varieties are highly sought after by plant collectors and very pricey. One of the reasons why dracaena is so popular as a houseplant—and what all varieties have in common—is that the plant is low-maintenance and easy to care for....

Then there is the distinctive burnt sienna color. Sienna (or Siena) refers to the ancient, land-locked city in Tuscany where the Sienna clay is mined. This clay is then burned, removing all traces of water and producing the unique reddish-brown color. 2. Tumbled Stone Another way to evoke the feeling of Tuscany in your flooring is to install tumbled stone or travertine tile. With their rounded edges and pits in the surface, both products look like they have been walked on by countless feet over the ages....

For years, most professional painters and do-it-yourselfers have relied on chemical-based paint strippers. While they can do a good job, many are also highly toxic to humans and the environment. Improper use of chemical strippers can cause damage to the respiratory system, brain, nervous system, and skin. One of the worst offenders and potentially deadly chemicals in paint strippers is methylene chloride. Major home improvement stores have pulled products that contain the chemical from their shelves, but it is still readily available....

If you’re wondering “What the heck is a top sheet anyway?”, here’s what you need to know: a top sheet is a thin fabric that provides the final layer on your bed. Unlike the flat sheet that protects the mattress, a top sheet goes over the comforter, blankets, quilts, etc., and protects from damage or dust. Some may argue that it adds the final ‘flare’ to the bed-making. But, is a top sheet really that necessary?...

I spoke with some other plant pros to find out what they were most excited about this growing season. 1. You Get a Rewarding Feeling When Plants Are Thriving First, my reason: Taking care of plants is a huge mental boost for me. Over the winter I had a lot of casualties when it came to my plants. I had to send several to the graveyard or completely cut them back in hopes that they’d do better....

Power sanders are often categorized by the action by which the motor moves the sanding pad and sandpaper. This action can take one of three forms: Rotary: On some sanders, the motor simply spins a circular pad to which the sandpaper is affixed. An ordinary power drill can become a rotary sander simply by affixing a sanding disk to the drill’s chuck. There are also rotary sanders that are designed specifically for this purpose, often used for metal work or paint stripping....

There are many different Christmas decorations here that include wreaths, ornaments, porch decor, and more. With these DIY projects, you’ll be able to make your own Christmas decorations, your own way. This means that you can change and customize these projects to go with your holiday decor. Christmas Countdown from The Navage Patch Christmas Tree Snow Globe from The Sweetest Occasion Salt Dough & Air Dry Clay Ornaments from A Piece of Rainbow Farmhouse Noel Door Decor from Mod Podge Rocks Norwegian Inspired Patchwork Snowflake Pillow from Polkadot Chair Holiday Light Pillows from Aww Sam Paper Mistletoe Kissing Ball from Lia Griffith Ice Lanterns with Winter Berries from Lovely Indeed Christmas Village Hoop Wreath from My Sister’s Suitcase Giant Cardboard Christmas Trees from Lovely Indeed Christmas Gnomes from The Navage Patch Mini Wooden Christmas Trees from Sugar & Cloth Colorful Christmas Village from Studio DIY!...

1. Keep All Plumbing on the Same Wall Joseph Tsedaka, principal at NOMI, a Dallas-based company that specializes in bathroom remodels, suggests laying out a 5 by 8 foot bathroom using the following method: “The most efficient way to design a 5 by 8 bathroom is to have your vanity first (which is three feet) then your toilet (two feet), and then your tub or shower (three feet) for a total of eight feet,” he notes....

Flat Mops Flat mops are a popular and common type of mop with a flat head that usually has a disposable or reusable pad that attaches to it. These kinds of mops have become the go-to mop for most regular and everyday mopping chores. Flat mops are great for cleaning, especially on a daily basis. They are easy to use and require little effort to set up. Flat mops work well at cleaning corners, although they may have trouble scrubbing stuck-on food particles without pretreatment....