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Cork can be installed anywhere in the home, but due to drawbacks, like a vulnerability to dents, scratches, and fading, cork flooring is best for the basement where there is typically less foot traffic and harmful UV radiation from direct sunlight. Find out more about why you should use cork flooring for basements and if this material is right for your home. Pros and Cons of Cork Flooring in Basements Before deciding to install a cork floor in the basement, it’s necessary to consider the pros and cons of this material to figure out if this is the right choice or if you should be looking for a different flooring material....

Following are some tips from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on safety around raccoons: Keeping Raccoons From Coming Too Close If a raccoon approaches too closely, make yourself appear larger: stand up, shout, and wave your arms. If it continues to approach, throw or spray water, or even stones if needed.A raccoon that is very aggressive–or too tame, or seems to be disoriented or staggers may be sick or injured....

Magnolia co-founder and former HGTV star Joanna Gaines worked with the eclectic retailer to put together a line of “globally inspired” rugs and pillows. The result—no surprise—satisfied our inner interior decorator. Embroidered patterns, soft palettes, and anachronistic finishes make this collection adaptable to nearly anyone’s taste, whether you’re designing a Moroccan-inspired room or simply need a few new throw pillows. We’ve rounded up the 10 pieces we’ll be filling our homes with come February 25th, when the 19-piece collection launches in select stores....

The whole idea of a pool is to enjoy time with family and friends while maybe getting in some exercise, in the privacy of your backyard. Hours of maintenance is not what you signed up for. “Anything with thorns is a ’no,’ as well as plants with small flowers that will bypass a skimmer basket,” advises Myles McMorrow, owner of Pool Services Network, a swimming pool service company based in the Washington DC area....

Leo has a contagious energy and charm that draws others in. They have a confidence that allows them to take on any challenge that comes their way, and they aren’t afraid to speak their mind. They enjoy impressing others, but they don’t feel the need to change to accommodate anyone else. So how does this affect the way they decorate their home? Check out the list below for ten things Leo should keep in mind as they start the process....

The American Rose Society has designated the following roses as having “fabulous fragrance.” The organization sorts through all the new rose introductions each year and chooses only one out of the top performers to be awarded its Rose of the Year designation. This collection of roses is considered tops for their fragrance. USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 10Height: 4 to 6 feetSun Exposure: Full sun USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 10Height: 2 to 3 feetSun Exposure: Full sun...

“If you don’t want to install a round window, a round mirror could give a similar feel to a place, especially opposite a window to reflect lots of light,” Madsen said. The eye-catching 6x6 foot window is the highlight of the space and brings in tons of natural light, which is a must for a small space like this. The window is actually two 3x6 foot half moon windows that Madsen found on Craigslist....

Hostas can be excellent ground-cover plants for large expanses of shady garden territory, blanketing the earth with soft color while blocking out weeds. Few plants are easier to care for, though they can be susceptible to leaf damage from snails and slugs. Once established, hostas are incredibly easy to propagate by dividing the root clumps in the spring or fall. Here are 12 excellent hosta types that run the gamut of foliage color....

Here are 12 frequently asked questions about getting rid of mice problems in the home. Gnawed holes in stored foods, piled papers, insulation, etc.Food scraps or wrappings left behind, especially in out-of-the-way places, such as inside shoes or boots or in the corners of closets and cabinetsDroppings or tiny hairsRunways—narrow pathways where dust and dirt have been swept clean, noticeable grease marks, or urine trails that can be seen under a black lightNests or piled nesting materialsSkittering or scratching sounds coming from wall, ceiling, or floor cavitiesStale, rank, or musty odors...

With this in mind, we turned to some of our favorite designers to ask for their best predictions for living room trends in 2023. “We’re going to move away from the more traditional living room layouts of the past, like a sofa with two matching swivels, or matching sofas with a pair of table lamps,” Odom says. “In 2023, filling space with a formulaic arrangement won’t be feeling exciting.” Instead, Odom says that people are going to lean into pieces and layouts that make their space feel unique....

The ultimate do-it-yourself project, window boxes are easy to make and require only the most basic tools to construct. Materials can be sourced from your local home improvement store, many even available in pre-cut sizes. If not, you’ll find that most stores will cut the materials for you on-site, saving valuable time. Painted and mounted on metal brackets to the home’s brick exterior, these window boxes perfectly accent the white windows and casing....

The plants listed below either tolerate a reading below this middle ground or actually thrive in a soil pH that dips below this range. Read on to browse several plants that thrive in acidic soil, from azaleas to holly bushes. USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: Pink, white, and white, with cultivar variationsSun Exposure: Full shade to part shade; tolerate some sunSoil Needs: Fertile and well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8 Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade Soil Needs: Soil enriched with compost...

Growing cucumbers on a trellis has so many advantages. The most obvious one is that saves a lot of space since the cucumbers are growing vertically. Watering and harvesting are easier since you don’t have to go and dig in the plant to get the roots or fruit. The cucumbers will also be cleaner since they aren’t growing in the dirt. Cattle Panel Cucumber Trellis from Frugal Family Home Raised Bed Cucumber Trellis for Under $5 from The Cape Coop Farm Cucumber Trellis from a Wood Ladder from DIY Danielle How to Build a Cucumber Trellis from Chesapeake Crafts PVC Cucumber Trellis from PVC Plans Bamboo Cucumber Trellis from This Pug Life Inexpensive Cucumber Trellis from Attainable Sustainable Easy Trellis for Cucumbers from GardenFork Arch Trellis for Cucumbers and More from Get Busy Gardening Tee Pee Cucumber Trellis from The Coupon Project T-Post Garden Trellis from Chicken Scratch NY DIY Cucumber Trellis from Sara By the Season Cattle Panel Trellis from An Oregon Cottage Kitchen Garden Cucumber Trellis from Violet Fern

Pansies are short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals—or sometimes as biennials in warm-weather climates. The modern pansy was developed as a hybrid from several species of the Viola genus, especially Viola tricolor. The parent species are native wildflowers in Europe but became widely naturalized in North America. Pansies are therefore sometimes known as violas or violets, though most horticulturalists reserve the name “pansy” to refer to the hybrid varieties with large multicolored flowers....

We researched and tested products from numerous online mattress companies to find the best ones for a wide range of needs. Additionally, we used the insight of Breus to supplement our decisions in finding the most reputable brands. We recommend the Avocado Green Mattress, Saatva, and My Green Mattress to name a few, for details like the quality of materials, customer service, and lengthy warranties. Check out our picks for the best online mattress companies....

One thing you’ll notice in just about every bedroom with dark walls is a white ceiling. This prevents a closed-in, cave-like vibe and helps maintain an airy feeling throughout the room. You can create the same effect with light-colored flooring, too. Check out these 15 bedrooms we’ve found for more tips on how to decorate your dark walls.

Not so fast. The reality is that nearly all hardwood flooring manufacturers still advise caution when it comes to using their flooring in bathrooms and other wet areas. It’s true that good oil-based polyurethane sealers and careful attention to sealing cracks between flooring boards can make hardwood flooring perform adequately in a bathroom, but virtually no flooring manufacturer will ever describe a hardwood flooring product as waterproof. The best you can get is a tentative description of the product as being water-resistant, and then only if you carefully follow use-and-care instructions....

Here are 17 of the best houseplants that are harder to kill and look great in any room. Light: Bright lightWater: Dry between wateringsColor Varieties: A variegated cultivar has creamy leaf margins Light: Indirect lightWater: Regular wateringColor Varieties: Green Light: Indirect lightWater: Average to dryColor Varieties: ‘Bonnie Variegated’ has white striping Light: Low lightWater: MoistColor Varieties: ‘Domino’ has white stippling on leaves Light: Bright lightWater: Weekly mistingColor Varieties: ‘Tricolor’ has reddish leaves; ‘Abdita’ has pink leaves that darken to red upon flowering; ‘Huamelula’ has salmon leaf tips...

The formal dining room table and chairs set the tone. The bar cart on the right is a practical feature that is also pretty. The vintage, art deco buffet adds sophistication while serving a purpose. The gorgeous chandelier with classic linen shades by Jonathan Adler is pure elegance. The bold art on the wall adds a considerable dose of visual interest. Artfully arranged greenery enliven things. The landscape painting over the fireplace brings color while anchoring the room....