Here are some of the best woods for decks and porches. The use of rain forest woods can be controversial. If you choose ipé for your deck, make sure that it carries the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) trademark, which certifies that the wood has been harvested responsibly. Established importers such as IpeDepot use the term FSC Ipe Decking to describe their products. The California Redwood Association (CRA) represents timber companies in the American northwest....

Chlorine Bleach Chlorine bleach usually comes in a liquid form, but it can occasionally be found in a powdered form. Chlorine bleach contains sodium hypochlorite diluted with water. This type of bleach is very powerful. It disinfects laundry, but it isn’t safe for many fabric types, particularly colored clothing or clothing with patterns. Oxygen Bleach Oxygen bleach is safe for use on many fabrics and is sometimes referred to as color-safe bleach or all-fabric bleach....

Taking a shower is such a routine that many don’t think about making it more luxurious or relaxing. I tend to wash up and get back to my day as quickly and efficiently as possible. When I tried the Waterpik 6-Spray Twin Turbo PowerPulse Massage Handheld Showerhead, I immediately relaxed more in the shower and felt refreshed. I replaced a standard showerhead with the Waterpik 6-Spray Twin Turbo Handheld Showerhead....

With countless budget-friendly sheet options out there, Threshold’s 400 Thread Count Printed Performance Sheet Set certainly has plenty of competitors. Nonetheless, this set has racked up rave reviews online for comfort and quality. If you’re a frequent Target shopper, you’ll recognize the Threshold name. It’s Target’s exclusive brand that aims to create “quality classics you can always count on at simple prices.” With these sheets being less than $30, I was skeptical from the start about the quality, but I kept an open mind....

The struggle is real for hot sleepers like me; I can hardly go a night without tossing, turning, and waking up too warm. That’s why the Threshold Vintage Wash Solid Sheet Set initially caught my eye. This set of percale sheets came with many promises: comfort, breathability, a “cool yet cozy” sleep. Of course, I want all these things, but my solution has typically been cranking the fan overnight. Could a set of sheets really be the answer to sleeping not just better, but cooler?...

Why We Love Orioles The bright orange, black, and yellow plumage of orioles is a striking contrast to many less colorful backyard birds, and their rich, musical song is welcome to the ears. These aren’t the only reasons orioles are highly desirable backyard birds, however. Because their preferred foods are nectar, fruit, and jelly, they do not scatter seeds throughout the yard that may grow in unwanted places. Orioles also eat a wide range of insects, providing natural, effective pest control in the garden and yard....

Growing Conditions for Pellionia Pulchra Light: Pellionia are a definite understory plant. They dislike direct sunlight and will easily burn if exposed to the straight rays of the sun. At most, they can survive in an east-facing window. Water: Pellionia are moisture and humidity lovers. They should never be allowed to dry out, even during the winter season, and high humidity is a must. Get in the habit of spritzing the plants daily, or grow them in a bathroom or other naturally humid environment....

These 15 birds are among the most popular in North America.

This can mean creating special built-in shelving for towel displays; installing floating shelves; incorporating dedicated dressers and armoires; or using vintage or unexpected objects as towel storage vessels, such as wine racks, magazine racks, coat racks, wine crates, bar carts, or baskets. In these acutely hygiene-conscious times, it should be noted that if you’re storing towels in the open in a small bathroom or otherwise in close proximity to a toilet, remember that flushing can release what is euphemistically referred to as an aerosol plume of possible viruses and bacteria that can travel up to six feet....

Talking about poop can feel kind of weird, but we all do it (or at least we all should be doing it). Okay, so maybe we’re not talking about poop directly, but we all know the main purpose of a bidet attachment: To clean you up after you go, without the need for toilet paper. Bidets have been around for a long time, and are still the norm in many countries....

If an afternoon spent at the gang’s favorite caffeine spot is your ultimate fantasy, then Toynk is bringing you one step closer to realizing that dream. A true, lifesize replica of the famous coffee shop couch is available to buy for just over $3k ($3,299.99, to be exact). As a near-exact copy, the 3-seater sofa features “tufted backing, plush burnt orange fabric, and fringe,” and is made of 100% polyester fabric over a wood frame, according to the website....

Types of Stone Used in Showers Common types of stone used in showers include slate, marble, and granite, but other stone species can be suitable. Slate tile is perhaps the most widely used form of stone in showers. If sealed properly and cleaned regularly, it’s an all-around good performer in this application. Just make sure to use the right type of slate for showers; some types can flake and deteriorate over time....

The Vornado 660 Large Room Air Circulator is more than just a fan. It’s a whole room air circulator designed to keep warm air flowing in the winter and cold air circulating in the summer. It is equipped with Vornado’s signature Vortex technology, which promises to create a flow of air that encompasses an entire room. This Vortex technology is so efficient that the company claims Vornado fans can exchange air between adjacent rooms and pull air down a hallway and even up a set of stairs....

The overly fluffed pillows, goose feather down comforter, and the oh-so-soft sheets at most luxury hotels often give you a good night’s rest like none other. Luckily, we live in an age where hotel bedding is offered at the retail level. There are many luxe bedding options available that come very close to or may even surpass the hotel experience. We tried out the Wamsutta Dream Zone Sheets over the course of a week and tested its durability, comfort, breathability, style, and price....

How to Use a Speed Square How can a single piece of heavy-gauge aluminum with no moving parts attract so many fervent fans? A Speed Square’s true secret lies in the dense congregation of information and features packed on its face: a lipped fence, deeply incised numbers, holes, notches, and cut-outs. It’s these features that make this a highly functional yet very low-cost tool for scribing, marking, and cutting. The accompanying 60-page “Swanson’s Little Blue Book” is legendary in fine carpentry and roofing trades for helping to translate the Speed Square measurements to real-world applications....

What a Tea Towel Is The term tea towel came into fashion during the 18th century when households would use the towels, often made from finely woven linen fibers, while serving tea to catch the occasional drip. Historically they would also be used to carefully dry fine china to prevent scratches. Today, they are defined as flat-weave dish towels that measure approximately 16 inches by 28 inches to 18 inches by 30 inches....

Note that, in a landscape design context, “balance” refers to the consistency of visual attraction or lack thereof. Consistent visual attraction is achieved through symmetry; if the designer’s intention is to avoid the monotony of this kind of balance, asymmetrical plans will be implemented, instead. While it may seem a contradiction in terms to novices, landscape designers do speak of “asymmetrical balance,” as well as of “symmetrical balance.” It is easy to achieve focalization on an uncluttered lawn....

History of Storybook Houses Storybook architecture in the United States originated in Los Angeles at the turn of the 20th century. Borrowing elements from popular Tudor and Tudor Revival, Gothic, English cottage, and French Norman Revival styles, Storybook homes, apartment complexes, and occasional commercial buildings were less a revival of any particular style and more of a reimagining, amounting to a cartoonish pastiche of centuries of European cottage architecture rendered with cinematic flair....

Besides durability, chicken wire boasts flexibility and is easy to cut. It can be more difficult to cut and install types of fencing with much heavier gauges, such as the similar-looking chain link. Uses for Chicken Wire in Landscaping Although it takes its name from its traditional use in poultry raising, we now use chicken wire in landscaping in many ways. For instance, chicken wire can be used to reinforce concrete....