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Underlayment Is Not Subflooring Often, the terms “subfloor” and “underlayment” are used interchangeably. Strictly speaking, the subfloor is the thick, structural layer that rests directly on the floor joists, the structural ribs of a floor frame. Underlayment is a thinner material that lies over the subfloor. While underlayment may add a modest amount of stiffness to a floor assembly, it does not strengthen a floor or enhance it structurally. Plywood is only one type of underlayment....

Why Birds Hit Windows Birds are intelligent about natural predators and obstacles in their environment, but they do not recognize glass as a solid surface and have no conception that it can be dangerous. Most often, window collisions happen because birds see various reflections in the glass and mistake those reflections for something real. Reflecting branches, for example, can seem like a good place to land, a feeder reflection may seem like a tasty food source, or reflected clouds can look like a clear flight path....

The decision is more complicated than you might think, though. A number of factors play into your decision, including: Design preferencesCeiling heightBudgetCeiling details Some people very much like the look of a full block of continuous wall cabinets without space above them. For others, the preference is more functional: continuous cabinets offer more storage space, and they eliminate the dead space that collects dust. Before you assume that this extra storage space is a great feature, be aware that the storage shelves up near the ceiling are not very accessible....

Traditional baby shower etiquette still firmly applies to the planning aspect of the baby shower. The following rules apply to who can throw the shower in most settings: It is considered inappropriate for you or your spouse to throw the baby shower.It is considered rude to ask someone to throw you a baby shower.Typically a close friend or one of the grandmas-to-be will throw a baby shower.It is acceptable to have a sister or other family member throw the baby shower....

With some projects, you can jump right into them without much forethought. If you want to paint the living room, you can pick up paint in the morning and be done by the evening. Even more involved jobs like laying floating laminate flooring can be started on impulse. But a whole-house remodel should begin with real-world realizations about the scale of this project and dedicated planning. Decide How to Fund Your Project Your home remodeling project will cost you more than you care to know....

Aside from looking aesthetically pleasing, having a dedicated plant shelf is actually super functional, especially when you have a massive collection of plants and you can’t walk past a plant shop without buying a new one. They help you save room and they make it easier to access your collection, which comes in handy when you have over 60 plants to water each week. Also, let’s be honest—who wouldn’t want to create a green jungle inspired wall of shelves?...

Overwatering Is as Bad as Under Watering Overwatering plants is an extremely common problem, and one of the signs is yellow leaves (when they should be green). The roots of plants not tolerant of waterlogged soil won’t be able to breathe, and they die of a lack of oxygen. After roots drown in this manner, you’ll see the drying up of the leaves because the debilitated roots won’t be able to use the remaining water....

If it’s just a few, there’s really nothing to worry about. There will always be a few rogue worms in your bin. These must be the ones that have a bit of wanderlust in them. However, if it seems like the majority of your worms are looking for an escape route, congregating in areas such as the top of the container (near where the lid fits on) or near air vents, then you have a problem....

We turned to some of our favorite designers to find out what it is about this hue that has people so excited, and how to incorporate it into your designs plans without throwing it back to an unwanted retro vibe. “Right now, there’s a shift from cool greys and bright whites to warmer tones like brown, rust, and green,” Jenna Schumacher of Insert Design Studio notes. “Brown is an amazing and classic color, lending itself to nearly any palette....

The Pile Is Too Wet A wet pile is easily one of the most common causes of smelly compost. If the pile stays too wet, the beneficial microbes that break down the pile can’t do their job, and you get a decaying, putrid odor to the pile instead of the sweet smell of good compost. To fix a wet pile, there are a couple of things you can do: Too Many Greens This issue is linked to having a too-wet pile....

But is your orchid really dying? Most likely not. Rather it is resting or moving into dormancy to rebuild all the energy required to flower. These are tough plants and, despite a reputation for being finicky, many types are not difficult to grow. They are environment-sensitive and vulnerable to all the same problems as other houseplants including pests and disease. You don’t have to give up on your prized plant when issues arise....

Available in shades of blue, lilac, pink, purple, and white, the flowers are cup-shaped, star-shaped, or bell-shaped, depending on the species and whether or not they are fully open. They are planted in spring, and bloom time is often from late spring until nearly into autumn. While the flowers are not typically large, the plants in this genus are showy due to the abundance of their blooms. There is a Campanula well-suited to the needs of almost any Northern gardener since the genus offers a range of sizes and growth habits: There are tall bellflowers great for border plantings, but also bellflowers that stay short and function well as ground covers, edging plants, or rock garden plants, and other varieties in between....

Linden trees are medium to large shade trees; they tend to have thick, pillar-like trunks with dark bark that begins smooth but develops furrows as the tree matures. Strong horizontal branches jut out from the trunk, creating a dense pyramidal or rounded growth habit. They have dark-green heart-shaped leaves, which are similar to aspen tree leaves but much larger. The linden tree’s flowers, a favorite of bees, make their showing from May to July....

If you’re proud of your collection and don’t want your finds to face a similar fate, there are plenty of creative tricks to weave them into your home decor. A china cabinet is a perfectly acceptable place to present collectibles, but displaying them in an unexpected way can give a fresh, new look to your surroundings. Other vintage items that could serve as a finishing touch for your table? Lanterns, tins, small birdcages, brass containers, and candlesticks, for example....

1. Jazz Up Your Sleep Space Add some cheer to a bedroom with decorations that are seasonal yet ultra chic. Adhere a wreath to the headboard, load up on cozy throw blankets, and don’t forget some tastefully arranged poinsettias. These understated accents will keep a sleep space feeling both festive and calming. 2. Add Joy to the Home Office You spend most of the day in your home office, so why not make the space feel a little more festive?...

“We always recommend a window treatment that operates the same way your door does," the designer says. “With sliders, you will want something that moves side to side, not up and down.” She offers a few pointers when it comes to sizing specifically. “Have curtains configured so that they stack on the side of the stationary glass panel,” Cassidy suggests. “If the space on the wall allows, the window covering should push back and be able to get all of the way off the glass....

Neutrals not your thing? Don’t worry. “Gender neutral” and “bold and colorful” don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Try making a dramatic statement with bold accents set against a neutral background, or go full Technicolor with a bright, gender-neutral paring. You can even add drama to a neutral space with a moody, muted hue like dark green or navy. Need a little inspiration? We’ve got you covered! Be ready for whatever the stork may bring with these sensible yet swoon-worthy color ideas for gender-neutral nurseries....

Here are 12 plants that will add the elusive blue color to your garden. USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Fertile, moist, and well-draining USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 11Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Humusy, moist, and well-draining USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, and well-draining USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Rich and well-draining (but tolerates poor, dry soil)...

Here are 15 plants that make a nice hedge, including flowering hedge plants and evergreen shrubs. This is one of the easiest hedges to maintain, requiring a moderate amount of water though it can tolerate drought. It also can tolerate severe pruning, pollution, and poor soil. USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8Color Varieties: White flowersSun Exposure: Full to partial shadeSoil Needs: Acidic soil that drains well Like Japanese holly, this is an easy hedge to maintain....