Girdling as an Intentional Act Girdling can be a management technique. It severs the bark, cambium, and sometimes the sapwood in a ring that encircles the trunk of a tree. In this sense, the word usually refers to the intentional killing of a tree. Many beginners bristle at the very mention of intentionally killing a tree. So some explanation is required. What possible reason could there be to girdle a tree in this way?...
Energy-Saving Measure The knee wall, by itself, can provide some degree of insulation against air infiltration from the outside. However, the knee wall is usually not enough to provide all the insulation you need. To reduce air infiltration, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you complete several steps:
But there comes a point that winter mulch can cause more harm to perennials than provide benefits. Learn when to remove or replace winter mulch for healthy spring and summer growth. Mulching for Winter Protection Mulching is done as part of the garden winterizing ritual to protect the roots of plants and help them survive the winter. Contrary to a common belief, a thick layer of mulch is not intended to insulate and prevent the roots from freezing....
When it comes to the stainless steel composition used in flatware, 18/10 is the very best that you can get. The 18/10 composition contains 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel. The more nickel material, the more resistant stainless is to corrosion. However, though the higher concentration of nickel (10 percent) makes it highly resistant to pitting, staining and rusting, it does not necessarily guarantee it. It really depends on how you care for the 18/10 quality stainless steel flatware....
For real wood flooring, you have two options: solid hardwood flooring and engineered wood flooring. Beyond that is a host of wood substitutes or faux-wood offerings that simulate real wood but contain little or no wood: bamboo flooring, laminate flooring. luxury vinyl flooring, and wood-look ceramic tile. Solid Hardwood Flooring Solid hardwood floor, as the name says, is solid wood all the way through, from top to bottom. It’s similar to any other piece of lumber that’s sawn straight off of the log—no additional materials added....
When choosing the family room paint color, think about how you will use the space and when you will use it. If the family room is used primarily in the evening, choose a color that looks best using lamps and light fixtures. With artificial lighting, bolder colors show up better than muted colors; lighter colors will look subdued. If your family room is in use day and night, consider adding an accent wall to give it more visual variety....
Our favorite electric model is the Maytag Smart Electric Dryer because it has a generous capacity, offers 11 cycles at five different temperatures, and has remote programming. In the gas category, the best option is Samsung’s 7.5-cubic-foot Dryer with FlexDry, a front loader with smart capabilities and a sanitizing setting. Below are the best clothes dryers for a more leisurely, better laundry day. This clothes dryer also has the coveted extra power button....
If you’ve always admired this look and are eager to incorporate cottagecore design into your own home, you’ve come to the right place. The below 10 spaces—ranging from kitchens to bedrooms and beyond—have all mastered the art of cottagecore design and are full of inspiring easy-to-implement takeaways.
If you’re interested in installing ceramic floor tile, for example, this is your chance to do it on a small scale. Installing a bathroom vanity and hooking up the plumbing can be done in a day or two. Small bathroom electrical work involves a GFCI outlet or two, a bathroom exhaust fan, and lighting. By the time you’re done remodeling that small bathroom, you’ll have picked up skills that you can apply to other bathrooms, the kitchen, or just about any other part of the house....
A striking appearance during its peak—especially at times of year when other plants are not as showy More than one ornamental feature of note Multi-season interest As for performance, the best low-maintenance selections will be cold-hardy to your USDA plant hardiness zone. The best choices will be fairly resistant to most pests and common disease. And, they will have modest feeding needs—thriving just as well with compost top-dressing as with commercial fertilizer....
Because beige is so versatile, many gorgeous colors pair perfectly with it to create exciting or understated accents. Whether you’re aiming for color or contrast, one of the 11 colors on this list is sure to go gorgeously with your shade of beige. 11 Colors That Go With Beige
Ellis also notes that nothing sets the tone like lighting: “I love combining ambient, accent, and decorative options to help create the perfect atmosphere. Think about the timing of your get-together. Will you need to gradually add more lights as the night draws in? Statement pendants, string lights, and candles will provide a pretty glow and make the evening that much more magical and memorable.” “This will divide the table into two symmetrical parts and invoke feelings of grandeur and opulence,” they say....
Appliances like fans and dehumidifiers can step in to support air conditioning units, or at the very least help move air around rooms and take away unwanted moisture. While bedrooms may be outfitted with fans and cooling sheets, kitchens are another room that can be prepped with cooling features (think iced coffee machines, ice cream makers, and freezable cups). Outdoor areas are another place that can be well-equipped, too, for warm weather, whether it’s through a chic form of shade or mini paddling pool....
Don’t Let Someone Make Choices for You Your home is your personal space. Don’t let someone else tell you what you should do. If you need help, ask for suggestions and, of course, consider the preferences of your family or housemates. But when the time comes to make decisions, they should be yours. It’s your home, and you should feel comfortable with the choices. Don’t Paint First You can buy paint in every color under the sun....
Design Ideas and Finishes for a Mudroom Whether you are building a home or remodeling, there are some early decisions when designing a mudroom that will make it easier to keep clean and organized in the years ahead. Begin with the flooring. Skip the beautiful carpet or polished wood floors and choose something durable like brick, stone or ceramic tile. If you are on a budget, vinyl is a great choice and offers multiple options in color and design....
What’s so great about these ideas? Everything. They make adding stylish function to your home fun and easy. In fact, you can DIY any one of these 13 IKEA hacks in a day or less. At $35, you can’t beat the price. Its compact size (it’s only 12-inches deep!) makes it a handy storage solution for tiny narrow rooms and hallways.It is perfect for hacking. The RAST’s untreated solid wood surface begs to be painted, stained, you name it....
The key is in the bullet journal layout you choose to use. The sky is the limit for bullet journal layout ideas and what to put in them. But to get you started, we’ve gathered 13 inspiring ways you can begin to design your personalized book or online bullet journal. Simple Weekly Layout Template from Kate Louise Monthly Bullet Journal Layouts from Page Flutter You’ll also be able to spot trends much more readily this way....
The key to cleaning these 14 things successfully in your washer is to use the gentle cycle, correct water temperature, put small items in a mesh laundry bag and skip the heat of the clothes dryer. You’ll also have the best success with larger items if you use a high-efficiency washer without a center agitator. You may want to add a disinfectant to the wash water to kill bacteria. Some items can withstand chlorine bleach but you may want to choose pine oil or a phenolic disinfectant like Lysol to prevent damage to some materials....
Also, make sure the heat registers and dampers are fully open to allow for the full flow of warm air. If you can’t live without the crackling flames, converting an open fireplace with a glass-doored insert will make a wood-burning fireplace more efficient and minimize heat loss from the home.
