Most skimmers on in-ground pools are built into its upper sides where the suction draws debris and traps it. These skimmers for pools are accessed via the pool deck area through a trap door or hatch. The skimmer is also typically in a convenient location to attach a suction line for a pool vacuum. Skimmers for In-Ground Pools A surface skimmer is typically made of plastic (PVC) or precast concrete, and it includes a tank with a projecting throat on its upper side....

There are several styles of modern architecture in the United States alone. From 1930 through 1970, there are categories like Expressionist, Constructivist, and Mid-Century Modern, to name a few. History The modern movement was not short-lived, and it encompasses several sub-styles that span nearly 60 years. In this way, it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact starting point. To some, the style includes more transitional architecture like the Art Deco and Arts and Crafts movements....

How to Define Retro Furniture Retro style often comes down to a personal choice. It can be attractive for its own sake, or inspire feelings of nostalgia. When designers, manufacturers, and customers speak about retro furniture, they are often referring to a style of furniture that pays homage to styles that were popular years ago. Namely, retro furniture was popular in the decades of 1950s, 1960s, 1970s. Recently, the industry has added the 80s to the list....

While it’s true that IKEA makes extensive use of MDF—they are the biggest users of MDF worldwide—this by no means makes them unique among cabinet manufacturers, nearly all of whom use some form of engineered sheet products in the construction of the basic cabinet boxes. And it is somewhat inaccurate to say that MDF is not wood, since the material is fabricated from hardwood and softwood byproducts that are bound together with resins and waxes and pressed into sheets under high temperature and pressure....

Correctly sizing the header to the opening is critical not only to smooth window installation but to maintaining the structural integrity of your home. If your header is incorrectly sized, the window may fail to open and close properly or its frame or glass might crack. The worst-case scenario is a structural failure of a section of your house. What Is a Window Header? A header is any strong beam that horizontally spans an opening, such as a doorway....

Independent Workers vs. Cleaning Companies A number of housekeepers work as sole proprietors of their own business, but you might be more comfortable with a larger cleaning company that hires their own employees. There are pros and cons to both: A benefit to hiring a cleaning company is that they are responsible for screening the employees to ensure that a background check comes up clean. On the other hand, if you want the same person cleaning your house every week, you should choose a sole proprietor—turnover tends to be higher with cleaning companies, and they might send someone different each time....

Here’s why, when, and how to cut back and deadhead your peonies to get the most out of these garden favorites. Is Cutting Back Peonies Necessary? In addition to the aesthetic considerations, the main reason for cutting back peonies is plant health. Peony diseases can be controlled by removing diseased foliage during the growing season, and by cutting back the entire plants after the end of the growing season in the fall....

The nature of the problem (that is, the reason for the so-called “winter burn”)How to prevent itOr, failing successful prevention, what to do about it, should it occur The Reason Why Arborvitae Foliage Turns Brown Browning on arborvitae leaves can occur at various times of the year. When it happens in summer, the color change could be happening because of drought. But if your arborvitae shrub turns brown in winter or early spring, the likely reason is winter burn....

Here are the 10 best flowering vines for your garden. The plants are easy to grow from seed. You can start the seed indoors six to eight weeks before last frost or directly sow them in the ground in spring. It can take 12 weeks after planting from seed for the vines to start flowering, so starting the seeds indoors can help speed things along. Use peat pots or paper pots, so you can transplant into your garden without disturbing the seedlings....

When you take drapes down, check the panels for care instructions. This is also a good time to dust rods and other hardware. Most lined drapes will need to be dry cleaned to remove any stains or heavy odors. If they are only dusty, toss them in a clothes dryer on the Air Only Cycle to refresh. After the drapes are rehung, use a clothes steamer to remove any wrinkles....

Here are 10 easy-to-care-for perennials that will grow just about anywhere in the Northeast. USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8Color Variation: White, pink, or purpleSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8Color Variation: Purple, blue; pink and white cultivars also availableSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained soil The biggest challenge growing coral bells in the Northeast is its tendency to heave out of the ground in winter....

Here are 10 varieties of green flowers to consider for your landscape. Amaranths self-seed with abandon when conditions are right, but don’t throw away unwanted seedlings when you thin the plants: They are edible and make excellent micro-greens in your salads. USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11Color Varieties: Red, burgundy, purple, greenSun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil Bells of Ireland produces green flowers densely packed around a vertical spike from mid-summer until fall, gradually turning beige as the flowers age....

Macrame has a charming vintage appeal to it. Each piece gives your home an incomparable touch of cozy, neutral texture when white and cream macrame string, cording, or roping (plies and thicknesses vary) is woven into plant hangers, one-of-a-kind wall art, or light-diffusing coverings for votive holders and hanging LED bulb chandeliers. Here are 10 elegant decor ideas honoring the old-fashioned art of macrame that show you how to incorporate the look into your home in the most refreshing ways....

But there’s a multitude of other uses for white vinegar that go beyond cleaning—from yard care to pet care and more. Read on to learn about 10 uses for vinegar that may surprise you. For best results, use white vinegar on a day of dry, sunny weather; vinegar needs some time in the sun to work its deadly magic on weeds. Dilute white vinegar in a 1-to-4 ratio (1 tablespoon vinegar to 4 tablespoons water, for example), and let it soak into a clean rag....

Aries has a fiery spirit that is constantly moving and ready to take on the world. They have clear ambitions and goals they want to accomplish. They also have tons of ideas and are often prepared to jump at starting a brand new project. So how does this affect the way they decorate their home? Check out the list below for ten things Aries should keep in mind as they start the process!...

Scorpios are known for their intensity and desire for privacy and can often appear mysterious and even elusive. If you’re a Scorpio trying to get started with decorating your home, check out these 10 tips below for some direction.

Because azaleas have been selectively bred for centuries, there are thousands of cultivars, derived from hundreds of species found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Many of the crucial parent species are natives of western China. Extensive hybridization means that new varieties appear every year, including many that are now suitable for northern climates. The Rhododendron genus comprises both azalea and rhododendron species. The two classes of flowering shrubs are very similar, with the technical differences found in the structure of the flowers....

Here are some of the worst decorating trends of the last 50 years. Colored Appliances and Bathroom Fixtures Remember avocado and harvest gold kitchen appliances? How about pink and turquoise bathrooms? Yeah, most people do and wish they didn’t. Macramé Ah, what would the 1970s be without macramé? Particularly plant holders and wall hangings. In 2013 the home décor industry went into a bit of a panic when it was suggested that macramé was making a comeback, but thankfully it fizzled out before it caught too much steam....

And now that HomeGoods has (finally!) launched their online store, you can do all of that home decor hunting from the comfort of your own home at HomeGoods.com. From decorative accents to functional storage, these are our favorite picks to shop right now.