The History There are several different theories when it comes to where a lazy Susan came from, some suggesting it was an American invention, others stating that the rotating tray originated in Germany, and others still claiming that it was first seen in England in the 18th century. Whatever its true origins may be, one of the very first times that it was publicly advertised in the United States was in 1918, when an ad for the product, which cost $8....
Grandiose, ornate, and theatrical, Beaux-Arts buildings are based on the symmetry and proportions of Roman and Greek classicism but combined with more flamboyant French and Italian Renaissance and Baroque influences. Beaux-Arts, which is sometimes called Academic Classicism, American Renaissance, or Beaux-Arts Classicism, became a favorite architectural style for government and institutional buildings such as art museums, train stations, libraries, university campuses, and court houses in Europe and the United States....
How exactly do you plant anything with roots in small balls of clay? I’ve spent years writing about outdoor gardening and have never used anything but soil to grow plants. So I decided to seek out LECA experts to determine if these clay balls are worth the hype. Jas Jefferson of Black Girls with Gardens and contributor at Plants.com shared her knowledge of LECA with me. The biggest question I had was, why replace your soil with LECA at all?...
Knowing the special characteristics of rhizomes helps you not only when caring for plants with rhizomes but also to make more informed plant choices for your landscape. What Rhizomes Do Rhizomes are a type of protective mechanism. They help perennial plants survive in adverse environmental conditions such as winter cold, wildfires, and being trampled on by foot traffic and livestock, as well as aid its propagation. A crucial function of rhizomes is the underground storage of nutrients to provide the plants with energy during the winter....
Debating the Use of Fertilizer on the Lawn Whether or not you should use fertilizer on a lawn depends on where you stand on organic or low impact-to-chemical gardening practices. Organic gardeners avoid the use of any chemical products as lawn fertilizers. The main concern is the fertilizer run-off can enter the local water supply. There is good evidence that shows phosphorus and nitrogen from lawn and agricultural fertilizers are contaminating streams, rivers, and groundwater supplies, creating a pressing environmental problem....
But you can donate used toys so that they continue to bring smiles and happiness to other children without filling up landfills. While looking for somewhere to donate, you may find that some places don’t accept toys, will reject stuffed animals, or they will only take new toys in the original packaging (such as Toys for Tots or The Ronald McDonald House Charities, which uses wish lists). Finding the most meaningful place to donate used toys can be challenging, but not impossible....
Why Don’t Air Plants Need Soil? Air plants are epiphytic species, and in the wild, with their short, wiry roots, they grow on trees, rock faces, and other plants rather than in soil. The native habitat of many air plants is on tree trunks and high branches in tropical rainforests. Air plants have an ingenious ability to absorb the nutrients and moisture they need from the air around them and don’t need soil to survive....
The Secret Ingredient in Hairspray: Alcohol Various types of ink have ingredients with chemical properties that are fairly unique. Most inks contain a mixture of pigments, dyes, solvents, and lubricants that in combination make them very difficult to remove. Inks can be based on oil solvents or water solvents, and most everyone has experienced the difficult problem of removing stains from oil-based inks. Permanent and ballpoint pen ink are oil-based inks, and their stains can sometimes be removed by using rubbing alcohol applied with a cotton swab or cotton ball....
Those Problematic Shaded Areas There are a couple of different looks you may have in mind when you hear, “woodland gardens.” In either type of woodland garden, we’re referring to areas in shade most of the day. If the areas in question are located north of the problematic trees, then it’s safe to say they’re shaded. Such areas cry out to be planted with shade plants. Don’t try to force full-sun plants (including grass) to grow there: you’ll be disappointed....
In an effort to minimize spending, we turned to the experts to ask what small, cost-effective ways they suggest prepping your home for cooler days and cozier nights. If you want to look toward items you already have, Drew suggests pulling in pieces that feature “terracotta, olive, or earthy tones” because these colors are “a no brainer when it comes to getting the fall feels!” But for colors outside of the normal autumnal tones, Stephanie Lindsey of Etch Design Group suggests using pieces with “rich, luxe jewel tones....
Dishwasher Detergent Not only is it important to choose the best dishwasher detergent, but it is also essential to follow the directions when using detergent. Don’t think that adding extra detergent to the dishwasher will get the dishes extra clean. In reality, it can leave a film of detergent on the entire contents of the dishwasher. Use the right detergent and use it the right way. Overfilling It’s great to maximize space when we fill the dishwasher, but too often we overcrowd our dishes....
Make the job of shearing easier, if you wish, by using a power hedge trimmer, preferably a cordless hedge trimmer so that you don’t have to drag around an electrical cord. While trimming your hedges, inspect between the individual plants to check for weeds. For a hedge to look its best and grow optimally, it must be kept weed-free. Even more critically, be sure not to let any young saplings become established in your hedgerow....
Rudbeckia can be started indoors, from seed, about 6-8 weeks before last expected frost. Perennial varieties will germinate best if stratified after planting. You can do this by keeping them in the refrigerator or a similarly cold place for 4 weeks after planting. Then move them back to a warm spot (70ºF-72ºF) until seeds actually germinate. Rudbeckia can also be direct seeded in the garden once daytime temperatures remain around 60 degrees F....
In landscapes, willows are often planted alongside streams where the interlacing roots will hold back soil and prevent erosion. Willows can also be used to create living fences or even sculptures, and the branches are commonly used in basketry and weaving since the wood is flexible enough to be bent once it has been soaked in water. Here are 12 water-loving willow trees and shrubs to consider. Regionally, you may hear Bebb willow called by other common names, including beaked willow, gray will, diamond willow, or long-beaked willow....
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Metal Roofs Are Not Just a Novelty Once, metal roofing was found only on high-end, architect-designed homes. That’s no longer true. Metal roofing is found in conventional houses, thanks to increasing availability and improved manufacturing processes. According to industry statistics published in 2017, market share for metal roofing increased at a rate of roughly three percent each year for a few years and about 15 percent of all roofing installations used metal roofing materials....
But what do you do if you have a piece of art you love, but it doesn’t quite fit your space? Or maybe you have one that’s the right size, but the wrong style? Here are 13 art hacks that will help you turn art that’s not quite right into the perfect piece for your home. Project Source for Faux Floating Frame: AKA Design Project Source for Gluing Two Frames Together: Lovely Little Snippets Another solution is to edge the photo mat with coordinating washi tape to extend its size just a bit....
Typically, a focal point faces the main entrance for your living room. Another good to know, while an area’s focal point usually dictates furniture placement, your seating arrangement does not have to face it. Also, some spaces have more than one focal point. The following 14 examples share beautiful ways to create or optimize a focal point in your living room.
