Unlike many forms of wooden wall paneling, shiplap has “rabbets.” These are 90-degree grooves on both sides of each board that distinguish true shiplap from other panelings, such as wainscoting or beadboard. And while these grooves give shiplap its iconic and stylish look, they are also, to put it frankly, complete dust magnets. We spoke to shiplap aficionado Amanda Friemel, interior designer at Duet Design Group, about how to keep your shiplapped walls (mostly) dust-free....

Here’s the scoop on what’s also known as “black gold” from the coop: What Is Chicken Manure? Also referred to as poultry manure, chicken manure is an excellent source of nutrients. Its nitrogen and phosphorus content is at least twice as high as that of other farm manures such as cow manure. In addition to chicken droppings, chicken manure contains everything else that gets swiped up when a chicken coop is cleaned out: urine, feathers, leftover feed, and coop bedding material such as straw and hay, pine or cedar shavings, grass clippings, shredded leaves, and recycled paper....

Nourishing, Sophisticated, and Nostalgic Referred to as “a nourishing and sophisticated gray-green,” the brand hopes that Evergreen Fog will “usher in a new era of nostalgic mid-tones." While selections of the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year in previous years have covered cool neutrals and bold jewels tones, for 2022, the company is looking forward to the sophistication of their pick. “Evergreen Fog is a sophisticated wash of color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams....

Don’t lose hope—that midcentury dresser or vintage vanity can still be the perfect fit for your home with a bit of love. Diamonds in the rough simply need a bit of restoration, and as DIYers know, it’s rewarding to rise to this challenge. If you’re just entering the world of DIY renovations and are looking to build the perfect tool kit, look no further. We sought advice from one of our favorite experts, Drew Scott from DIY and decor YouTube channel, Lone Fox, as he dishes the best tools that every DIYer or renovator should have on hand to make every project perfect....

Origin Story: Working Toward a Wedding Ben and Tatum Sweeton started dating in high school and decided they wanted to get married young. Senior year, they decided that in order to afford getting married young, they would have to live in an RV or trailer. “After some consideration we decided that converting a school bus would be just for us,” Tatum says. “My parents saw it as an opportunity to support me while going to college and to take the place of a dorm room, since I would be married before graduating....

Never is this more true than during the holidays. This is why my current obsession is something I found almost three years ago: a fabric wrapping paper storage container. All I do now is roll up the irregularly sized sheets and store them inside the other, fuller wrapping paper rolls. I also save tissue paper that can easily be re-fluffed, and, if I order something online that gets sent in plain brown kraft paper, that gets flattened, saved, and stored, too....

Ferns are some of the oldest plants in the world—they’ve been thriving for 300 million years and grow in an astonishing array of environments. As houseplants, they’ve been in cultivation for centuries. Worldwide, the American Fern Society estimates there are about 12,000 species of ferns, ranging from cold hardy to tropical, and ranging in size from miniature to the monstrous tree ferns of New Zealand and Australia. Use these guidelines that are common to all types of ferns....

Look for Local Incentives Check to see whether your state or local utility company offers any rebates or incentives for replacing an old HVAC system. You might even be able to stack offers. So if your state and local utility company each has a promotion, submit for both. This can take a big chunk out of the cost of your new HVAC system. To see whether you have any local deals, check out:...

Finding the right place to donate your time, money, or other goods and items is no easy task. According to Charity Navigator President and CEO Michael Thatcher, a good place to start is finding a charity that aligns with what you care about. “It’s always important to start with the mission statement and ask yourself ‘Is this aspiration my aspiration?’” he says. Here are our picks for charities that help children to support during the holidays....

Components of a Hot Water Boiler Understanding the components of a hot water boiler can help with basic troubleshooting. A boiler is a bit more complex than a forced air furnace in that it has more parts, valves, and controls. However, gas-fired boilers are fairly reliable and when problems do occur, they are usually related to the expansion tank or water circulation pump(s). The major components of the boiler for a hot water (hydronic) system include:...

For most do-it-yourselfers and some professionals, the large size and heavy weight of drywall panels are its two most negative characteristics. Coupled with its unwieldy nature and its fragility, drywall is difficult to move around by hand, especially when you’re a do-it-yourselfer working alone. Ultralight drywall is an alternative to standard drywall that promises to shave off some of the weight to make transport, carrying, and hanging drywall a little easier....

Most thermostats that control central heating equipment, including furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps, are low-voltage thermostats that typically use 24 volts of electricity. Electric baseboard heaters and in-wall heaters may use line-voltage thermostats that use 120 or 240 volts of electricity. Low-voltage thermostats are powered by a transformer that reduces the incoming line voltage from 120 volts down to a level between 12 and 24 volts, depending on your furnace design....

Fall is a great time to experiment with texture and color in your container gardens. While mums and asters can be spectacular and classic in a fall container garden, there are lots of other choices that will last well beyond the first frost. Winter is tricky as many pots will break apart if they freeze, but there are some that will hold up to even the most frigid temps. Use this advice for keeping your garden growing all winter long....

In an era where many parents are increasingly concerned about too much screen time among kids, it’s great to unplug with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) toys that don’t need to be charged. Valtech’s Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 100-Piece Set is a popular toy for toddlers thanks to its durability, versatility, and educational value. My husband and I recently had our two kids (ages 21 months old and 3.5 years old) put the set to the test....

The fast-growing varieties grown as garden plants are mostly small-flowered annuals or short-lived perennial violas. Many violas will come back every year thanks to self-seeding. Furthermore, violas are edible flowers and make unexpected garnishes and salad ingredients. They can also be candied for a frosted effect and used to decorate cakes or other confections. Violas flower primarily in cooler weather. How long violas bloom depends on the climate. They are perfect for starting and ending the growing season in colder climates, as well as for bridging the seasons in warmer zones where they can remain in bloom throughout the winter....

Use these measures in conjunction with each other for best results. Weed removal without resorting to potentially dangerous chemical herbicides can be tough work. Learn how to work smarter, not harder. Laying the Foundation The first smart idea in a project of weed control without chemicals in gardens is to prepare the plot of ground in question. Put these ideas in place before you plant, so that you’ll get off to a smooth start:...

Native to Asia, weigela bushes are dense shrubs that grow at a decent pace, often adding between 13 inches and 24 inches of height a year. They’re best planted in early spring or late fall, and feature vibrant green foliage and petite flowers, which can attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden when they bloom in early summer. The most popular cultivar is Weigela florida, though many different varietals exist....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Sturnella neglectaCommon Name: Western Meadowlark, MeadowlarkLifespan: 5-6 yearsSize: 9-10 inchesWeight: 3 ouncesWingspan: 14-16 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Western Meadowlark Identification The western meadowlark’s colorful and boldly marked plumage is the key to its identification. Male and female birds are similar with a heavily mottled beige body, thin black stripes on the wings, a bold black V-shaped bib on the chest, and black spots or stripes on the sides....

What Is It? A sideboard or buffet, also known as a buffet table, is a long, low piece of furniture that’s usually placed in a dining room to store and display items. It’s also used as an extra surface for serving food. You’ll find sideboards and buffets are versatile enough to have in a living room, an entryway, and a hallway as a storage and display piece, as well. You may even decide to repurpose a long, low bureau or a console table with a drawer by moving it into your dining room to function as a sideboard or buffet....

A humidistat or hygrostat (used interchangeably) works like a home’s thermostat, which is commonly connected to an air conditioning or heating system. Much like a thermostat monitors the room temperature and automatically kicks on the air conditioner or heater to meet your temperature preferences, you need a humidistat to do the same with moisture. Humidistats are commonly installed in stand-alone humidifiers, dehumidifiers, or air conditioning systems. A whole-home humidifier is connected to your HVAC system, evenly distributing moisture throughout your home using the home’s ducting....