Posts

Unlike latex paint and particularly unlike oil-based paint, both milk paint and chalk paint have little odor and dry exceedingly fast. They are easy to mix and thin. Both milk paint and chalk paint are water-based and have a very low amount of low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With all of these similarities, are there any differences between milk paints and chalk paints that govern their individual uses? Or are milk paints and chalk paints basically interchangeable?...

In recent years, the concept of green cleaning has gained traction. If you’re still not sure what it entails, it’s quite simple—it just means switching your regular cleaning products to ones from companies who practice sustainability and use natural, plant-based ingredients (the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a great explainer). If you haven’t made the jump yet but are looking for products that will make it a seamless transition, Mrs....

It can be difficult to maintain the brightness of your whites, but Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing is designed to keep them bright and brilliant for the long haul. Whiteners can work in different ways—some use bleach, some target stains, and others alter the color of whites to make them appear brighter. Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing falls in the latter category; it’s not a detergent booster—instead, it’s an additive that alters the tone of your whites to change their relative appearance....

No matter how careful we are with our white clothing, it almost always attracts stains. This is what makes a whitener/stain remover combo like OxiClean Revive Laundry Whitener + Stain Remover a popular option. The brand markets its formula as a chlorine bleach alternative that’s able to brighten and whiten without harsh chemicals or fumes. While that sounds great, many products make claims they can’t deliver on, so we decided to pick some up and try it ourselves....

Similar to periwinkle, as the name implies, Very Peri is a departure from the slew of green Color of the Year 2022 predictions we’ve seen from brands including Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, and Behr. “Creating a new color for the first time in the history of our Pantone Color of the Year educational color program reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place,” explains Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, in a statement accompanying the announcement....

Should you use pea gravel for your patio? Pea gravel is certainly inexpensive, simple to install, and comfortable underfoot. But it does have a few attributes that make it less than favorable, especially when compared to materials like crushed gravel or pavers. What Pea Gravel Is Pea gravel is small, smooth, naturally rounded river rock, each stone about the size of a pea (3/8-inch). Also called CM-16 stone, pea stone, pea pebbles, or pea rock, pea gravel comes in a broad palette of colors, including gray, cream, tan, gold, black, and white....

Pros Sound dampening: One of the benefits of having carpet installed in a bedroom is that it can insulate the space against unwanted ambient noise. The thicker the carpet, the less sound will be transmitted from downstairs, up into the serenity of your bedroom setting. Soft: Your bedroom floor is going to be the first thing your bare feet touch each morning and the last thing they touch before slipping from shoes and stepping into bed each night....

Fast Facts Common Name: Pine siskinScientific Name: Carduelis pinusLifespan: 5-6 yearsSize: 4-5 inchesWeight: .4-.5 ouncesWingspan: 8 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Pine Siskin Identification At first glance, pine siskins may seem like relatively bland, plain birds, but when birders look closely, they will see many distinguishing marks. These birds have a narrow, triangular bill that is sharply pointed and may appear slightly paler on the underside. That bill is a key feature that sets pine siskins apart, but looking carefully at these birds’ plumage will show even more recognizable field marks....

We spoke with several plant influencers and collectors to find out what plants they can’t wait to get their hands on. And since I’m a collector with more than 70 plants and counting, I also include my picks. Here are the 16 trendy plants we can’t wait to add to our collections. She knew so much about it that you could tell that she really wanted it. “They love filtered, bright light and can dry out slightly between waterings....

Plants Affected by Powdery Mildew Powdery mildew thrives in humid conditions with moderate temperatures. Several different species of fungi in the order Erysiphales can cause the disease, though the symptoms are similar. In any region with humid summers, powdery mildew almost always makes an appearance. While it can affect any plants, there are certain species more susceptible to heavy infection, including: Apple Begonia California poppy Dahlia Delphinium Hollyhock Hydrangea Lilacs Monarda Oak Phlox Roses Strawberries Zinnia...

For many centuries, marble and other types of natural stone have symbolized wealth and power when used for flooring and other surfaces in residential dwellings. In the ancient civilizations of Persia, Greece, and Italy, the hand labor involved in quarrying, cutting, and transporting natural stone meant that it was only the wealthiest citizens—or the government itself—who could afford to use these materials in their buildings. Although modern equipment and transportation systems now make it more accessible to more people, marble and other natural stone is still a building material that retains a royal mystique....

Washable Clothes As with almost all stains, quick treatment offers the best chance for success in removing beet stains. If a beet lands in your lap, remove any pieces with a dull knife or the edge of a spoon. Do not rub or you can spread the stain and push the dye deeper into fabric fibers. Blot the wet stain with a clean white paper towel or even a slice of white bread to absorb as much liquid as possible....

They’re charming, but the floor plans can be impractical for modern living. Let’s take a look at the possibilities for renovating a Victorian home. Old-house remodelers are often tempted to remove walls and enlarge small Victorian rooms. Watch out! Many interior walls in older homes are load-bearing. That is, they are necessary to support the weight of the upper floors. Builders in Victorian days did not have the capacity to easily span large spaces, so the numerous walls really were essential....

Before you pound that first nail or hang that first sheet of drywall, look ahead to how these projects correlate to your home’s resale value. Certain modifications give better resale value than others. Even if you’re simply looking for a break-even resale price, the thought process is still the same: Which home DIY renovations bring in more money than others? Data from the annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report point to trends that you should follow—or avoid—if you want to see a return on your home remodel investment....

Birds Eating Seeds There are many species of birds that feed on seeds, and without birdseed available, these granivorous birds are perfectly happy to find wild seeds from flowers, grasses, weeds, shrubs, and trees. Adding seed-bearing flowers to a yard can attract birds such as sparrows, towhees, buntings, quail, finches, siskins, doves, and other species. Small, agile birds that can perch on flowers to feed directly from the blooms are often attracted to seed-bearing flowers, while larger ground-feeding birds feed after the seeds have been shed....

Organic vs. Inorganic Mulch Most mulching materials can be subdivided into two main groupings: Inorganic mulches are created from manmade material or stone and used for controlling weeds and decorative purposes.Organic mulches are composed of natural materials. In addition to being decorative, these mulches eventually break down and provide nutrients that improve the soil. Examples of inorganic mulches include: Stone and gravelBlack plasticShredded rubber or synthetic rubber “bark” chips Organic mulches include a larger group of materials, including:...